Marc Wilmink Wins Award in Chicago | Wohninsider
- Mödling, Austria – In a significant win for Austrian innovation, Marc Wilmink, Managing Director of the family-owned company Krawany, has been awarded the Global Innovation Award (gia) for...
- The Inspired Home Show, a leading trade fair for the home goods industry, saw a strong showing from Austrian companies this year.
- The gia awards are judged by a global panel comprising retail and visual merchandising experts, alongside editors and publishers from leading home goods trade publications.
Mödling, Austria – In a significant win for Austrian innovation, Marc Wilmink, Managing Director of the family-owned company Krawany, has been awarded the Global Innovation Award (gia) for Top Window Display at the Inspired Home Show in Chicago. The award, presented on , recognizes Krawany’s exceptional visual merchandising, marking a high point for the Austrian retail sector on the international stage.
Austrian Companies Shine at Chicago Trade Show
The Inspired Home Show, a leading trade fair for the home goods industry, saw a strong showing from Austrian companies this year. Alongside Krawany’s success, Hannes and Theresia Bostl of Franz Eder KG in Kufstein were recognized as national winners in the IHA Global Innovation Awards – Excellence in Retailing, competing for the Global Honoree Award. Further bolstering Austria’s presence, Brandon Escalona from FH JOANNEUM secured second place in the Annual Student Design Competition with “LevelUp,” a physiotherapy aid designed for the Austrian market.
The gia awards are judged by a global panel comprising retail and visual merchandising experts, alongside editors and publishers from leading home goods trade publications. This year’s competition featured 31 concepts from 30 countries, highlighting the international scope of the awards. Krawany’s win for Top Window Award specifically acknowledges the company’s creativity and effectiveness in attracting customers through its storefront display.
wohninsider.at, an official gia sponsor and media partner, played a key role in supporting Austrian participation in the competition. The awards were presented during a gala event held at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, celebrating innovation and excellence within the global retail landscape.
A Growing Trend of Austrian Design Recognition
This recent success builds on a broader trend of Austrian design and innovation gaining international recognition. Just days prior, on , Miele received a total of 19 IF Design Awards for 2026, including two gold awards. The jury specifically praised Miele’s ability to blend timeless design with high-quality materials and intuitive functionality. This demonstrates a consistent commitment to design excellence within Austrian manufacturing.
The recognition of both established companies like Miele and Krawany, alongside emerging talent like Brandon Escalona, suggests a vibrant and dynamic design ecosystem within Austria. The country’s focus on quality, innovation, and user-centered design appears to be resonating with international audiences and judges.
What to Watch For
The success of Austrian companies at the Inspired Home Show and the IF Design Awards signals a positive outlook for the sector. Looking ahead, industry observers will be watching for continued growth in Austrian exports of home goods and design-focused products. The upcoming ORGATEC trade fair, with its new “ORGATEC PERSPECTIVES” format, will also provide a platform for Austrian companies to showcase their latest innovations in workplace design. The resilience of the Austrian furniture industry, as highlighted by positive Q1 results from Rotpunkt Küchen (an 8% sales increase and a turnover of €103.7 million), suggests a continued ability to navigate challenging market conditions. The focus will be on whether this momentum can be sustained throughout the year and beyond.