IHFRA's purpose is to empower, support and advocate for it's members in the home furnishings industry. Founded in Chicago by a group of insightful sales representatives who understood the value of sharing common goals, communication, education, professionalism, and ethical behavior, IHFRA was originally launched as the National Wholesale Representatives Association in 1934. The concept of a venue encouraging home furnishings sales representatives from across the country to benefit from each other’s immense knowledge and experience was an immediate hit; membership quickly became national and then international, prompting the group to rechristen itself as the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association. While the group’s name changed, the core values are still cornerstones of IHFRA today and serve as the foundation that allows IHFRA to promote the professionalism, productivity, prestige, and profitability of today’s home furnishings representatives.