Judges named for 35th ARTS Awards

The judges will meet in Dallas for two days this fall to review finalists’ submissions.

DALLAS — Judges for the 35^th annual ARTS Awards, which will take place in Dallas in January, have been named.

These judges will choose winners based on submissions from the finalists, which may includes examples of product development, marketing, merchandising, company differentiation, or professional information, consistent with their designated category.

The judges will meet in Dallas for two days this fall to review the submissions. After the judges complete their process, a designated accounting firm will count and secure the scores until the winners are revealed at the ARTS Awards gala, which will take place during the Dallas Total Home & Gift market, Friday, Jan. 10, at the Hilton Anatole hotel.

After the judges complete their process, a designated accounting firm will count and secure the scores until the winners are revealed at the ARTS Awards gala.

The 35^th ARTS Awards judges are:

Michela O’Connor Abrams, Board Chair, Sustainable Furnishings Council and Sustainable Furnishings Educational Fund. Abrams exclusively serves as the Green Award judge and reviews only the manufacturing finalists’ submissions. Abrams is the Founder of MOCA+, which focuses on integrating design thinking and leadership into business strategy. Former CEO of Dwell Media, she grew the brand from a startup to an international name. With experience at IDG, Softbank, McGraw Hill, Ziff Davis, and Future Media, she has led companies through growth and turnaround phases. Abrams serves on the board of Arcbazar and advises several companies, including Turkel Design and Nebia. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership, design and media.

Leon Goetz, Founder & CEO, Goetz Inc. Leon Goetz is the founder and CEO of Goetz Inc., a multi-line sales and marketing agency and long-time exhibitor at Dallas Market Center. Since 1984, Goetz Inc. has represented a diverse range of luxury brands in gift, home decor, tabletop, holiday, and fashion categories, occupying over 45,000 square feet of showrooms. While the agency focuses on sales growth, service excellence, and strong vendor/retailer partnerships, Goetz’ passion lies in consulting on product development, design, and presentation for both new and established brands.

Jaclyn Hirschhaut, Executive Director, International Casual Furniture Association. Jaclyn C. “Jackie” Hirschhaut is vice president of public relations and marketing at the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of the International Casual Furnishings Association. She oversees marketing and media relations at AHFA and leads the outdoor furnishings sector at ICFA. Formerly editor-in-chief of Elegant Bride and an award-winning journalist, Hirschhaut has a background in retail and product development. She holds degrees in journalism and marketing and is active with the Public Relations Society of America and various industry boards.

Jaye Anna Mize, Creative Director, Home Interiors, Fashion Snoops. Jaye Anna Mize is the VP of advisory and partnerships at Fashion Snoops, a top trend-forecasting agency. With over 18 years of experience, Mize excels in home and interior design trends, leveraging AI and tech-savvy strategies to uncover market opportunities. She has worked with major brands like Unilever, Kohl’s, and Target, and is a recognized thought leader, speaking at events such as High Point Market Authority and Maison & Objet. Mize leads teams in aligning design, merchandising, and marketing to emerging consumer behaviors and future trends, including collaborations with Drew and Jonathan Scott and BuzzFeed’s Tasty Product Line.

Khoi Vo, CEO, American Society of Interior Designers. Khoi Vo, IIDA, CIDA, IDEC, IDECF, brings over 20 years of experience in interior design, architecture, and education. A former leader at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Vo founded Studio Four Los Angeles and Khoi Vo Design, where he led design projects and operations. He has taught and held leadership roles at California State University, SCAD, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Vo is a distinguished member of several industry organizations, including the Interior Design Educator Council Foundation and ASID. He has received notable awards such as the 2015 CIDA Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2017-18 Design Intelligence Top 25 Most Admired Educators. Vo holds a BA in design-focused architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Erin Weir, Co-founder, The Pearl Collective. Erin Weir is the co-founder and VP of sales & marketing at Pearl Collective, an interior design consultancy that boosts profits for designers, architects, and creatives. Known for her dynamic leadership and marketing expertise, Weir enhances every client interaction and is dedicated to advancing the interior design industry. She educates designers on profitable practices, leadership, and productivity, advises manufacturers on better business partnerships, and helps clients build confidence through effective processes and a team-oriented approach.

Reservations for the ARTS Awards open on Oct. 2. Tickets will be $170 for ART members and $200 for non-members. Discounted rates for full tables of (8) and (10) guests are also available.dallas