Our History

Our Beginnings

Founded in Chicago by a group of insightful sales representatives who understood the value of sharing common goals, communication, education, professionalism, and ethical behavior, IHFRA was originally launched as the National Wholesale Representatives Association in 1934.

The concept of a venue encouraging home furnishings sales representatives from across the country to benefit from each other’s immense knowledge and experience was an immediate hit; membership quickly became national and then international, prompting the group to rechristen itself as the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association.

While the group’s name changed, the core values are still cornerstones of IHFRA today and serve as the foundation that allows IHFRA to promote the professionalism, productivity, prestige, and profitability of today’s home furnishings representatives.

IHFRA Today

Headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, the furniture capitol of the world, IHFRA is the central hub of communications and programs for home furnishings representatives. Programs include education, a variety of insurance programs, free legal consultation, job postings through the Opportunity Center, discounts on travel expenses and industry publications, software programs geared specifically for home furnishings representatives and various other goods and services. Members’ voices are heard through IHFRA’s representation on the Boards of NHFA, WithIt, and the High Point Market Authority.

Raising the Bar

The daily focus at IHFRA each day is to create a platform that creates a higher level of professionalism and service to our members. Everything starts with the core beliefs of our organization. Vision, leadership, and initiative are all key and we are fortunate that our team, Ray Allegrezza, Executive Director, Steve Allegrezza, Managing Director and Bonnie Wallace, Operations Manager, bring those tools to the office each day.

Allegrezza, the former Editor in Chief at Furniture/Today is well-versed in all aspects of this industry and even before joining IHFRA was a staunch advocate of the independent home furnishings rep.

Steve Allegrezza, not only has a proven track record in the home furnishings supplier arena, but is a veteran of Apple, which affords IHFRA a new level of digital intelligence.

Wallace, meanwhile, spent years at FMG and her knowledge of the industry makes her an invaluable part of this high-energy team. This highly energized and goal-driven team has brought a host of new initiatives, including a new website and a host of new benefits to our growing list of members, a low-cost, high-impact educational series and much more.

Firm in a belief that a wheel is only as strong as its spokes, IHFRA has partnered with many of the furniture industry associations/organizations to unite the industry even further. IHFRA is partnering with the North American Home Furnishings Association, High Point Market Authority, the International Casual Furniture Association, The International Textile Manufacturing Association, WithIt (Women in the Home Furnishings Industry), the Sustainable Furniture Council, Hall of Fame, American Society of Furniture Designers, and Furniture Today.

We would love to have you join us.

IHFRA is passionate about growing our organization to include individuals and businesses in every aspect of the furniture industry. Please reach out to us so we can get to know you.

Our History

Our Beginnings

IHFRA Today

Raising the Bar

We would love to have you join us.

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