A new awards program, ICON Honors, has opened its national call for entries. Open to retailers, manufacturers, sales agencies and service providers/affiliates, the inaugural awards ceremony will be held July 17 during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings and Atlanta International Area Rug Markets. Deadline for entries is May 14.

ICON Honors will be judged in three categories: Innovation (for technology applications to achieve market share, product design, packaging design and sustainability and branding); Contribution (for independent retail community trailblazer impact/influence, cause-related product impact/influence and industry-building impact/influence and community betterment/improvement achievements); and Achievement (for top newcomer recognition, individual professional accomplishment, collective business accomplishment and life accomplishment).

Competition for the Honors will be by individual submission in the Innovation and Contribution categories, and by independent nomination in the Achievement category--with the potential for up to 27 awards conferred.

For more information, visitwww.americasmarticonhonors.com.