Honorable Mention

Provinaire Window Fashions by Heritage

Provinaire™ E-Screen Fabrics

Merchandising Category: Green Products

E-Screen Fabrics, available in Provinaire Roller Shades, incorporate MBDC-approved ingredients. 100% polypropylene, made in America, their production requires low energy input and minimal environmental impact. Pre-dyed yarns eliminate chemical-dye finishing and fabrics can be recycled. Triple-ply Eco-Screens offer outstanding consumer benefits: Usable indoors or outdoors, stain and mildew resistant, easy care. Natural color designs, offered in yardage and a cut-down program, mimic the attractive look of woven wood. Designers: Machelle Bloodsworth, Kenny Clayborne

Springs Window Fashions LLC

Graber® CrystalPleat® Cellular Shade Sampling Program

Merchandising Category: Sampling Program

The new Graber CrystalPleat Cellular Shade sample book and companion pieces were designed after input from dealers and consumers. The upscale book design includes large removable swatches that can be viewed using a suction cup window mount, removable collection decks, and an inspirational “book within a book”. Companion merchandising pieces include posters, dealer and consumer brochures, advertising CD, window decals, counter cards, and headrail signs. The sampling program has resulted in over 15% increase in sales.

Hunter Douglas

Designer Roller Shades

Product Category: Roman, Roller & Pleated Shades

This season brings an invigorated selection of textures, colors, custom design options and lifting systems to a timeless favorite. Designer Roller Shades, previously Remembrance window shades, has a new look, new design options and a new name. Three key fabric categories make up the line: Traditional, Natural and Soft, which is the first of its kind in the industry. A total of 189 SKU’s, 124 of which are new, are available in 26 distinctive collections. New design options include a redesigned round bottom bar, decorative bottom bar end caps that function as finials, faux-wood slats and designer tape trims. New lifting systems are also available, including an upgraded cordless lifting system, a dual roller and a quiet motor.

Hunter Douglas

The Hunter Douglas Learning Center

Merchandising Category: Trade Education Program

This centralized Web-based portal provides Hunter Douglas dealers, designers, installers and fabricators with world-class training and education.

It contains and tracks 226 learning options in interactive online, audio, video, written and instructor-led formats to satisfy all learning styles.

All Hunter Douglas dealers may take 23 free online product training courses. The Professional Dealer Program offers over 100 courses in professional development, sales and customer service skills. Dealers may earn Certified Professional Dealer status to set them apart from competitors and give them recognition as experts in the industry.

The Professional Fabricator Program enrolls all Hunter Douglas sales and customer service representatives in a comprehensive training and development program covering six core competencies with over 115 courses.

Since the mid-2007 launch, 4915 learners have completed 18,887 courses!

Comfortex Window Fashions

Save Now, Recycle and Save Again Campaign: Woodwinds® Wood Alloy Blinds Recycling Program

Merchandising Category: Consumer Education Program

Comfortex’s Save Now, Recycle, Save Again focuses on educating consumers about buying a Woodwinds® Wood Alloy Blinds which are made of recycled materials and can be recycled. Consumers help to save the environment by purchasing a Comfortex Woodwinds Blind which is made from recycled materials and does not use any newly cut timber. When it comes time to redecorate, consumers are able to recycle their blind. When the consumer recycles the blind, they are rewarded for their stewardship with a certificate to use on their next purchase of Comfortex product.

The wood alloy slats, bottom rail, wands and valances which make up a Comfortex Woodwinds Wood Alloy Blinds all can be reused in the manufacturing process. With 90% of Americans agreeing with this statement “I am concerned about the environment”, there is no better place to start than at home.

Designers and Development Team for Save Now, Recycle and Save Again - Woodwinds® Wood Alloy Blinds Recycling Program Shanley Alber
Lori Christian
Allison Faul
John Fitzgerald
Thomas Marusak

Levolor Kirsch Window Fashion

Levolor Custom Natural shades Sample Book

Merchandising Category: Sampling Program

The Levolor Custom Natural shades sample book continues Levolor’s easy to use format. Individual swatches are laid out on pages for easy viewing and integrated into photography to give consumers decorating ideas. A “1-2-3” booklet at the front of the book guides readers through the selection process of choosing fabrics, then liners, then control options. Inspirational photography along with suggestions for added options such as liner colors and control options are displayed throughout the book.

Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions

Levolor Roman Shade with Cordless Lift System and Top Down / Bottom Up

Product Category: Roman, Roller and Pleated Shades

Convertible privacy — Levolor introduced its patented Cordless Lift System in Romans Shades and paired it with the Top Down/Bottom Up feature. This combination fabric shade provides clean aesthetics and safety in addition to privacy and light control. Consumers lower the shade from the top, pull up from the bottom, or open both for a different view. A fabric valance is provided for a consistent fabric appearance.

ShutterEaze, LLC

ShutterEaze

Product Category: Motorization

ShutterEaze is the worlds first wireless motorization system for New and Existing Shutters. ShutterEaze fits all popular sizes and styles of shutters with 2.5", 3.5" and 4.5" louvers. ShutterEaze installs easily in minutes with NO tools to most any shutter panel. Our patented system allows for convenient and complete control of shutters that are mounted behind bathtubs, furniture or on high, out of reach windows from up to 25' away. ShutterEaze is the only complete control solution for all your shutter automation needs.