this year for the first time, icff will host a silent auction during the fair with proceeds to benefit the alzheimer’s association and the anna hernandez/luna textiles education fund award in memory of anna hernandez, the award-winning founder of luna textiles, who succumbed to alzheimer’s at the age of 56. the award recognizes her distinguished career and female business owners whose firms specialize in interior design or product design. the first $5,000 raised will be used to match the anna hernandez-luna textiles education fund award, given to an up and coming female designer.

this new design industry initiative will involve the fair’s 900 exhibiting companies who will be invited to donate the latest designs in flooring, carpets, kitchen & bath products, and art objects to be auctioned off to the icff audience of more than 36,000 in a 1,600 square foot pavilion where attendees can bid on items during the course of the four-day fair. silent auction item donations will also be profiled on www.icff.com. after matching the education fund award, proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to the alzheimer’s association, the leading voluntary health organization in alzheimer’s care, support and research.