Window Design Scholarship Established in Memory of Valerie Bursten

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/12/2011 7:02:42 AM

BETHESDA, MD. - The International Window Coverings Exchange, a group of 15 industry members, is sponsoring a scholarship fund to honor the memory of Valerie Bursten, the late wife of the group's co-founder, Steve Bursten.
     Valerie Bursten, who died this past January, was a leader in developing training and management for independent business owners in the custom window fashions industry.
     The Valerie Bursten Scholarship will select two candidates - one a professional and one a student - who committed to broadening consumer awareness and promoting the growth of the custom window decorating business, which were Bursten's passions.
     In addition to the Window Coverings Exchange, donors and sponsors include Window Fashions-Vision Magazine, Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHFA), Window Coverings University and Exciting Windows.
     In the professional category, applications are open to designers, fabrication experts, interns, associates, employees, business owners and others currently serving in the window coverings industry. Students preparing for a career in the design and sales of residential window treatments are also eligible to apply.
     Applications are being accepted online until Oct. 1, and winners will be announced in early November.
     The winners will attend the International Window Coverings Expo in Chicago, April 27-29, 2012; the Professional Window Coverings Sales Class at Window Coverings University in Baltimore, March 20-22, 2012; and the Exciting Windows Annual Conference, Jan. 28-30, 2012.
     Professional and student winners will receive tuition and paid attendance to all events. In addition, industry professionals will receive travel expenses to the events.
     For information about qualifications for the award visit www.valerieburstenscholarship.com .For more information, contact steveb@excitingwindows.com.