AmericasMart Receives Think Big Award

Atlanta, February, 5--AmericasMart has been awarded Nebraska Furniture Mart’s inaugural Think Big Award according to Jeffrey L. Portman, president of AmericasMart parent AMC, Inc. Commissioned by Robert Batt, vice president of Nebraska Furniture Mart, The Think Big Award recognizes AmericasMart as the country’s number-one market center and for its leadership and service to the home furnishings and area rug industries. Batt presented the Award to John C. Portman, Jr., AMC, Inc. chairman and founder, during the January 2004 Atlanta International Area Rug Marketsm featuring the National Oriental Rug Show (NORS), January 15—18. “Mr. Portman is a true visionary and one of the most respected men in our industry,” says Batt. “He continues to redefine the way the industry does business and because of his commitment to excellence and customer service, AmericasMart has developed a partnership with Nebraska Furniture Mart unlike any other in the industry. As my grandmother would say, ‘He’s a smart operator.’” Nebraska Furniture Mart’s roots run deep. Founded in 1937 by family patriarch Rose Blumpkin, the Mart opened in the basement of a small retail shop in downtown Omaha. Sticking to her tenet “Sell cheap and tell the truth,” and following its acquisition in 1983 by Berkshire/Hathaway, the Mart is today the largest single-location furniture store in North America and services the flooring, furniture, electronics and housewares categories. Nebraska Furniture Mart is located in Omaha and Des Moines and recently opened a state-of-the-art, 80-acre, 700,000-square-foot warehouse in Kansas City, MO. “AmericasMart is deeply honored to be the first recipient of the Think Big Award,” continues Jeff Portman. “It’s been our privilege to work so closely with Nebraska Furniture Mart over the past 20 years in promoting the furnishings and area rug industries. We value Nebraska Furniture Mart’s unwavering support; we thank them for their continued patronage, and look forward with great enthusiasm to the future.”