HIGH POINT – Whole home furnishings producer Universal Furniture has set its schedule of Learning Center events to take place during the upcoming High Point Market, Oct. 14-18.
In addition the Designers Lounge will be open daily to Universal Furniture to-the-trade account holders (designers can open an account as they enter).Device charge and free WiFi are available, and appointments for a hair touch-up at the Beauty Bar are available for Saturday through Monday.
Friday, Oct. 13
2 p.m. – Designing for Showhouses
Moderator: Byron Cordero, Cordero Consulting
Speakers: Kesha Franklin, Halden Interiors; Rydhima Brar, R/terior Studio; Andrew Suvalsky, Andrew Suvalsky Designs; Everick Brown, Everick Brown Design; Kristin Bartone, Bartone Interiors
This panel will delve into the practical considerations faced by designers, including budget constraints, time limitations, and the need to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
4 p.m. – Behind the Scenes: Creating Your Brand, Your Voice, Your Image
Moderator: Jessica Robb, Robb Media
Speakers: Antonio Deloatch, Antonio Deloatch Designs; Tina Ramchandani, Tina Ramchandani Creative/Interior Design Studio; Venjhamin Reyes, Venjhamin Reyes Photography; DuVal Reynolds, DuVal Design
Join visionary experts in this captivating discussion, crafting a brand that reflects you and makes an unforgettable impact, igniting a transformative journey of self-expression and design brilliance.
Saturday, Oct. 14
10 a.m. – How to Set Flat Rates to Earn More with Less Stress
Speaker: Melissa Galt, Interior Design Business Coaching
Tired of losing hours each week creating and adjusting hourly invoices? Ready to trade tracking time for earning what you deserve all the time? Then join designer business coach, Melissa Galt for this masterclass in how to set flat rates with defined deliverables.
Noon – The Value Proposition of Market: Cultivating and Stewarding Diverse Market Relationships
Moderator: Ashley Ross, Muse Noire Interiors
Speakers: Arianne Bellizaire, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors; Kathy Kuo, Kathy Kuo Home; Joanna Saltz, House Beautiful
Panelists will share their experiences, strategies and best practices for cultivating and nurturing relationships that resonate across a variety of market segments. They will offer practical insight on how they have adapted their market schedule to align with the goals set for their business.
2 p.m. – Diversifying Your Revenue Stream
Moderator: LuAnn Nigara, A Well-Designed Business
Speakers: Sara Malek Barney, Bandd/Design; Lucy Penfield, Lucy Interior Design; Lisa Brown, Everick Brown Design
Join us for an insightful discussion between three prominent designers about the ways they diversify their revenue streams in our industry today. From affiliate marketing to investing in real estate, our panel has years of combined experience expanding their sources of income in a variety of successful ways. The session is followed by a champagne toast in the Designers Lounge to celebrate the launch of the Designer Alliance.
4 p.m. – The Brains Behind Cupcakes and Cashmere
Moderator: Kelli Lamb, RUE Magazine
Speakers: Emily Schuman, Cupcakes & Cashmere; Geoffrey Fuller, Cupcakes & Cashmere
In this rare chat, the dynamic duo talks about how they built this from blog to bona-fide brand and how they pivot in an ever-changing media landscape. Discover their tricks, tips and insight that you can apply to your own business.
Sunday, Oct. 15
10 a.m. – Tell the Truth: What Real Designers Do to Win at Business
Moderators: Gail Doby and Erin Weir, Pearl Collective
Speakers: Cheryl Luckett, Dwell by Cheryl; Tina Ramchandani, Tina Ramchandani Creative
Pearl Collective will lead a lively and real-life discussion with interior design pros, Cheryl Luckett and Tina Ramchandani, on many hot-button topics. We’ll also look at the newly released results from the 2023 Interior Design Business Survey to find how others are rising to the top and how you can put some of these smart ideas into practice in your firm.
Noon – Streamline Your Purchasing Processes
Moderator: Rick Campos
Speakers: Peter Mitchell, MM Interior Design Group; Bria Hammel, Bria Hammel Interiors; Kate Lester, Kate Lester Interiors
Learn processes, tips, and tricks from the experts on how to budget for and streamline your purchasing process and optimize your relationships with vendors to keep your projects running smoothly and your clients satisfied.
2 p.m. – Designing for the Elite: Prep Your Business to Serve High-End Clients
Speaker: Sandra Funk, House of Funk
Join Sandra Funk’s game-changing workshop on scaling your interior design business and watch your success soar. She will guide you through proven strategies and techniques to effectively scale your business and cater to the needs of high-end clients. Discover how to price your projects for maximum profitability in the luxury market; master the art of creating an exceptional client experience; and scale your business while doing what you absolutely love.
4 p.m. – The New Interior Design Services Pricing Model
Speaker: John McClain, John McClain Design
In this detailed and actionable presentation, you will learn brand new ways to 1) Price your services for guaranteed profit and project pleasure, 2) Develop specific types of design services that your clients can choose a la carte to fit their needs, and 3) Detail the deliverables of your services for project functionality and client satisfaction.
Monday, Oct. 16
10 a.m. – The Six S’s of Success to Get Published: A Six-Step Blueprint to Help Get You Published
Speaker: Tori Sikkema, Tori Sikkema Photography
Attendees will gain valuable insights into each stage of the publishing process, from crafting a captivating visual story of their design project to submitting their work. For some, rethinking your procedure will be a paradigm shift in how you approach marketing your brand and design projects.
Noon – Unveiling the Future: The Power of 3D Renderings for Project Profitability and Client Satisfaction
Moderator: LuAnn Nigara, A Well-Designed Business
Speakers: Camia Brown, Camia Brown Interiors; Kelly O’Neil, Kelly O’Neil Design; Fernando Duque, Duke Renders
Discover how interior design renderings drive greater project profitability by streamlining decision-making, reducing costly changes, and fostering seamless communication among project stakeholders. Delve into real-life case studies, where renderings have enhanced budgeting accuracy and accelerated project timelines, resulting in substantial cost savings for clients and design firms alike.
2 p.m. – Marketing for Designers: Tips and Advice from the Home Industry’s Top Agencies
Moderator: Ericka Saurit, Saurit Creative
Speakers: Franziska Neuman, FZK; Jennifer Smiga, Ultraviolet Agency; Molly Schoneveld, The Storied Group; Michelle Peranteau, Katie Brockman & Co; Tori Sikkema, Tori Sikkema Photography
Join an interactive panel discussion from top marketing professionals specialized in the home industry as they weigh in on 2024 industry trends and marketing best practices, where to invest your marketing dollars first, and how they’re supporting clients with innovative campaigns. Gain actionable tips and advice while getting to know agency owners with a mission to support interior designers and home brands in growing their businesses.
4 p.m. – AI and Metaverse Activations: New Pathways to Profit for Interior Designers, Retailers and Manufacturers
Speaker: Leslie Carothers, Savour Partnership
Artificial intelligence and metaverse activations are the next frontier in digital marketing revenue opportunities for interior designers and home-related manufacturers and retailers. Learn how these two technologies can be used together – in ethical ways – to move your business powerfully forward and pave new pathways to profit and publicity in 2023 and beyond.
All the events take place at the Universal Furniture showroom located at 101 S. Hamilton St. RSVP for any and all events at www.universalfurniture.com/marketevents.
See also: What does Hooker Furnishings have on tap for October marketgoers?