“Helping our retailer members get back to their level of pre-COVID health is my number one priority,” says Harold Hudson of his mission as incoming chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Casual Furnishings Association.
Hudson, who serves as president of Summer Classics Private Label, sees the ICFA’s mission to support retailers more critical than ever with the COVID-19 pandemic creating uncertainty.
“Our strategic initiatives for 2021 and 2022 will promote their recovery and compel more retailers to join as they recognize the value of this dedicated support,” he says. “We’ll continue to create and enhance the networking, educational and philanthropic opportunities that make the ICFA so vital to professional success for every segment of our membership.”
Hudson knows the needs of the casual business well. His industry career includes 29 years with Summer Classics, where he has served as controller, operations manager, vice president of sales and now president of Summer Classics Private Label.
“Our ‘hybrid’ business model gives me a unique perspective on the relationship between manufacturers and retailers,” he says. “I understand the challenges facing both in the best of times. In 2020, like all the other brick-and-mortar retailers, our sales were impacted by the pandemic. Our company-owned and licensee stores have maintained their recovery by implementing best practices, including ongoing education and receptiveness to change.”
Over the years, Hudson has held active membership and board positions with ICFA, as well as the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. He served on the ICFA nominating and executive committees last year and was among the self-named “Gang of Five” who researched and facilitated the weighty decision to move the annual Casual Market trade show from Chicago to Atlanta in 2023.
“Our team represented a good mix of members,” he says of the process. “Each worked hard, traveling to the sites and carefully considering all the proposed options to make the best decision for our organization.”
Under Hudson’s leadership, expanding educational opportunities will continue to be a priority for the board.
“Although our 2021 Educational Conference was canceled, we’ll more than make up for it with ‘Innovate and Elevate,’ scheduled for February 14-17, 2022, at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort in Orlando,” he says. “As anyone who has participated in the four previous educational conferences will agree, you don’t want to miss the world-class speakers, exceptional workshops and fabulous social events in gorgeous venues.”
Much of that educational content—both at the conference and throughout the year—will be focused on helping retailers strengthen their salesforce.
“Well-trained, highly effective sales teams are crucial to any retailer’s success,” Hudson says. “The ICFA recently conducted a survey that indicated this is a concern and area for improvement across our membership. This year we’ll start developing training specifically tailored for casual furnishings sales associates, and the timing couldn’t be better. This will be a valuable tool for orienting new associates and will serve as a refresher course for experienced salespeople whose skills may have become rusty during business slowdowns.”
Hudson also praises the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship for creating a way for the ICFA to recognize college students whose outstanding design talent position them as leaders of the next generation of our industry.
“Richard and his wife and partner, Catherine, have built a significant legacy with this distinguished scholarship,” Hudson says. “My goal is to attract more generous benefactors so we may increase the number of scholarship recipients to more than one student per year.”
The ICFA’s enduring support of the City of Hope is another point of pride for Hudson.
“Two years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the campus in the Los Angeles area with other board members,” he says. “Until then, I didn’t grasp the enormous reach of this renowned hospital whose research and treatment protocols advance care for those who have cancer, diabetes and other chronic, life-threatening diseases. I saw firsthand the miracles they are achieving. I anticipate we will seek ways to expand our philanthropic efforts for this well-deserving institution in the years ahead.”
And while Hudson says COVID-19 robbed ICFA members of the many benefits of networking in 2020, he looks forward to a pandemic-free future where members of the industry will be able to gather and grow together again.
“The pandemic drastically limited our in-person meetings,” he says. “We will be so grateful for the opportunity to mix and mingle when we can get back together. I have countless examples of quiet moments of connection during ICFA events that resulted in longstanding relationships and close friendships. Whether it’s working out issues with vendors or sharing business concerns with peers, you can’t replicate the impact of those in real-life meetings on the phone or through emails.”
Harold Hudson grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of North Alabama in Florence. He and Amy, his wife of 28 years, have two grown children. His son, John, is a sales executive and manager of sponsor relations with Bassmaster, and his daughter, Emma, works in small business sales at Dell Computer in Nashville. Hudson’s wife and daughter graduated from the University of Alabama, so he was “forced” to be a ‘Bama fan. Given the fact they have won 17 national championships, he says that is easy.
