Midwest Furniture Club Announces 2026 Award Winners
September 9, 2026
Recognition of Outstanding Service at the Midwest Furniture Show
CHICAGO, IL – September 8, 2026 – The Midwest Furniture Club has announced the recipients of several prestigious awards, recognizing both retailers and manufacturer representatives for their exceptional service and dedication to the Midwest furniture community. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday September 23, during the cocktail reception of the Midwest Furniture Show in Northlake IL.
Celebrating Excellence in the Furniture Community
Geoff Weed, President of the Midwest Furniture Club, remarked, “Each year our Club’s Board of Directors and membership looks at our community to recognize service, longevity, community contribution and professionalism. Thankfully, there are more candidates worthy of recognition than we can name. We feel incredibly lucky to do business with so many great folks! These awards are designed to show our appreciation of the work and contributions these groups and individuals have made in our part of the country.”
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award is presented annually to a retailer or manufacturer who demonstrates remarkable service to the community through charitable initiatives, innovative involvement, and meaningful partnerships that address and improve needs within towns and cities throughout the Midwest.
This year, Steinhafel’s Furniture has been chosen for recognition for the many initiatives and charitable drives they have coordinated and executed around their locations in Wisconsin, Illinois and northwest Indiana. From blood drives to local charities like Hope House in Milwaukee, Special Spaces, and Lad Lake to nationwide efforts at the City of Hope and Sleep In Heavenly Peace, the employee-owned company has donated to over 100 local charities in recent years. The company also makes space available for local ogranizations and non-profits at its headquarters in Waukesha WI.
Generational Legacy Award
The Generational Legacy Award was established to honor Midwest furniture retailers who have remained in the business across several generations. Reed Furniture in Elkhorn WI has sustained business in the community for 161 years, through 7 generations. The store was founded in 1865, the final year of the Civil War, by John Reed in Palmyra WI. The company has endured many business cycles, damaged buildings, relocations and is one of Wisconsin’s oldest running businesses. To continue that generational level of service in a crowded market place is indeed an achievement worthy of recognition.
Mary Sobel and Arthur Serck Professionalism Award
This award honors current members of the Midwest Furniture Club whose professionalism and work have contributed significantly to the well-being and continued success of the furniture business in the Midwest. This year’s honoree is Mitch Simon. Mitch is known for his continued hard work, professionalism, and willingness to take on new challenges. He has been active in the Club for decades and continues to volunteer his time to the Club’s initiatives, currently Chairing the Website Committee for the Club.
Marty Sobel and Arthur Serck, both past Presidents of IHFRA and the Midwest Furniture Club, are legendary for their dedication to the Midwest Furniture Club. The Board of Directors has unanimously voted to recognize the best members in the name of these foundational figures. Both Marty and Arthur passed away in 2026, and our Club continues to honor their memory and the standards they set with this award.
Presidential Service Awards Presentation
Running the Midwest Furniture Club as President is a time consuming and often thankless job. As President, responsibilities include overseeing Club activities, presiding over monthly meetings, appointing members to committees and engaging with the community and sister organizations. In 2026, the Mdiwest Furniture Club honors Brent Jones, Mark Dilling and Kirk Handley for their tenures at the helm and the hours spent in service of the Club>
Brent Jones has been an impactful representative for almost 3 decades in Chicagoland and Wisconsin. As our most recent President, Brent oversaw the creation of our new Awards format as well as continuing and modernizing our anuual Show.
Mark Dilling, who currently serves as Secretary for the Club, ably steered the Club for two terms. For years, Mark lead the Club’s golf outings and made sure their charitable activities were community focused.
Kirk Handley also served as President twice and presided over the reinvention of the Show as it transitioned. He, and Laura Handley, lead the Club through a generational transformation into what it is today.
Without the leadership of Kirk and Laura, Mark and Brent, the Midwest Furniture Club would not be what it is today.
Awards Ceremony Time and Location
The awards ceremony will take place during the Midwest Furniture Show on Wednesday, September 23 between 5 and 7 pm. The celebration will take place at the Midwest Conference Center, 401 W Lake St, Northlake IL 60164. The 19th Annual Midwest Furniture Show runs from Tuesday night, September 22nd though the evening of Thursday September 24th.
About the Midwest Furniture Club
The Midwest Furniture Club is a Chapter of IHFRA. Through the volunteer work of its members, the Club has grown steadily in membership while offering programs of interest to the furniture industry. As the industry continues to evolve globally, the Club emphasizes the importance of mutual support and networking to meet new challenges. The Midwest Furniture Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the common good of the furniture business in the Midwest.