Jackie Hirschhaut, 

HIRSCHHAUT IS AHFA V.P. OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNISHINGS ASSOCIATION

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Jaclyn C. “Jackie” Hirschhaut is Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing of the High Point, N.C.-based American Home Furnishings Alliance as well as Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association.

 

She directs the 500+ corporate-member, non-profit trade organization’s consumer marketing program as well as serves as a liaison to the journalists who cover the semi-annual High Point Market each Spring and Fall. She also serves as the furniture industry’s liaison with the media, government agencies and related industry groups. At ICFA, she directs manufacturers, retailers, designers and suppliers in the business of outdoor furnishings. 

 

In August 2008, Jackie was honored with the 2008 WOW Education Award by WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today). The award is presented to a manufacturing executive or company for the creation of programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings.

 

In November 2006, Jackie was presented the “Golden Thinker” award from the North American Precis Syndicate. The award recognizes individuals who have created the press releases that receive the most pickup by America’s broadcasters. She also captured a second “Golden Thinker” award in April 2007 for widespread print placements, noting more than half were featured in the top 50 markets in the United States.

 

Prior to joining the AHFA in November 1998, Jackie was Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning Elegant Bride consumer magazine for nine-and-a-half years. She is the author of three books on wedding planning. Previously, she held various editorial posts at Furniture/Today and its sister trade publications for six years, earning the 27th Annual Editorial Award presented by the Dallas Market Center for excellence in trade journalism in the furniture industry. She began her career in retail management as a home textiles buyer at Woodward & Lothrop in Washington, D.C., with experience in product development throughout Asia for the affiliated Associated Merchandising Corporation stores. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in journalism and marketing.

 

She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and served as Secretary of the Tarheel (Piedmont Triad North Carolina) Chapter. In addition, she was invited to join the Public Relations Society of America Foundation Board of Directors in 2011, and served as Secretary on the Executive Committee in 2012-2013.

 

She is a past Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Board of Governors of WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today). She serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the Department of Communications at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. She chairs the judging of the Design Emphasis Award presented to rising college students by the International Woodworking Fair. She is a graduate of the Institute of Organizational Management, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 

Jackie’s hobbies are cooking, working out at the gym and voracious magazine reading. She and her furniture executive husband, Bruce, reside in High Point and are parents to 24-year-old Eric. The family is active in Temple Emanuel in Greensboro. She is a tireless cheerleader for her son’s State University of New York at Fredonia ice hockey team. She’s been a member of the Junior League of High Point for more than 20 years and is a Past President of the Sustainer Division. She serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater High Point.