WithIt To Host Panel Discussion During Upcoming Canadian Furniture Market
Furniture World News Desk on
1/8/2013
On Sunday, January 13th, WithIt (Women's Leadership Development Network), ViewIT Technologies and SOFA will bring together a panel of diverse women leaders whose contribution, talent and forward thinking consistently propel them to the cutting edge as leaders and mentors in our industry.
This interactive discussion will explore how the world of marketing is changing everything about the furniture and design industries. Our inspirational panel of women leaders will give you a behind the scenes look at how an integrated marketing strategy that incorporates print, radio, TV, social media and old fashioned networking has impacted their businesses – the good, bad and sometimes ugly. We’ll share the failures, successes and new best practices Canadian businesses face in marketing initiatives and product development.
When: Jan. 13th
Time: 3-4 pm
Where: WithIt / ViewIT Technologies Showroom – Suite #111 at SOFA
The International Center, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
Registration required: http://www.visitsofa.com/upcoming-events
Note: Attendees MUST register for TCHFM separately to attend this SOFA Event
onsite registration details available at - http://www.tchfm.com/en/registration
Panelists
Julia Rosien ~ Moderator: Julia Rosien is the founder and Chief Idea Officer of SocialNorth, a social media strategist firm as well as founder and owner of GoGirlfriend, a travel-based website for women. Julia serves on various boards of directors and is Chairman of Withit.org, a non-profit organization for women in the home and furnishings industries. Co-founder of Canada’s first 140 Conference, Julia is much-requested speaker in a variety of industries and has been featured in print, radio and TV across North America. Not surprisingly, she’s been named an insightful and influential social media leader.
Joanne Jakab: Joanne Jakab, Principal Designer at Joanne Jakab Interior Design is an award-winning full service interior design professional with 15 years experience creating unique interiors for homeowners in the GTA. Her work has been prominently featured in print and broadcast media throughout Canada & the United States, such as; Creating Great Guest Rooms, Decorating for the First Time and The Complete Photo Guide to Window Treatments, Canadian Living, West of the City, Canadian House & Home, Draperies & Window Treatments, Window Fashions, Small Room Decorating, Arabella Design & Better Homes and Gardens. Known for developing one-of-a kind, warm interior environments, Joanne’s design philosophy is to ensure each client feels comfortable with the shift that interior design will create in their lives as she creates balanced and harmonious spaces for them. Providing complete residential and commercial design services, Joanne’s work has been showcased on HGTV’s “This Small Space,” and she has shared her residential design expertise on CHCH TV’s “Breakfast Morning Show.” Jakab has won international awards for kitchen, bathroom, dining and family room remodels, as well as a commercial café renovation.
Jodi Mason: Jodi Mason is Lead Stylist and owner of Urban Home Windsor, a Furniture & Design studio operating and growing successfully since 2004. The firm prides itself in offering design solutions that create interest and impact as well as a "not so ordinary collection" of furniture and accents. Jodi trained in Toronto for Staging for Real Estate, Boston for Interior Redesign and Windsor for Interior Decorating before starting her business in 2004. Well versed in 3D Virtual Design (using 3Dream) Jodi actively uses this web based design service as a tool to bring her creativity and designs to fruition. This program, together with systems and marketing strategies are an integral part of the firm's success.
Lisa Ferguson: Lisa Ferguson is the principal of Lisa Ferguson Interior Design, a Toronto based full scope interior design firm, with over 350 unique projects completed and 23 years experience designing furniture and lighting in addition to interiors. Lisa is best known for seeing the need to make design more approachable and long before HGTV and design blogs, pioneered the “Decorating Excursion” concept. The Decorating Excursion has often been imitated all over the world after it was featured in both Style at Home and The Toronto Star. Lisa is also founder of Decor Mentor. While Decor Mentor’s curated team of pro designers from across North America share insight into the process of their client projects on decormentor.com and into the business of business at speaking engagements, Decor Mentor is also a "one stop shop" for home decor brands to work on creative collaborations with the Mentors leveraging their social media presence.
Samantha Mund: Samantha Mund is the Social media voice for West Bros furniture, manufacturer of sustainable solid wood furniture in North America for almost two decades. When not managing their Twitter presence, in her role as customer service representative, Samantha also serves as the interface with West Bros customers worldwide; working with furniture designers and interior designers to assist them with their floor plans, furniture selection, fabric and finish customization. Additionally, Mund assists with the company’s marketing initiatives; developing brochures, newsletters, press releases, and also steps up to serve as their spokesperson. ;:
About WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 to attract women in the home and furnishings industries and support their multi-dimensional career paths. It’s a not-for-profit network based in North Carolina and supported by companies such as Leggett & Platt, Broyhill and International Market Centers. Its main purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunity for professional women in the home and furnishings industries. Discover how you can join the only association dedicated to encouraging and developing leadership, education and opportunity for professional women at www.WithIt.org.
About ViewIT Technologies ~ creators of www.3Dream.net and The Board™: Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, ViewIT develops design-related sales tools for the Home Products industries that are used by design professionals, retailers and manufacturers. These intuitive visualization products help consumers overcome the "how will it look in my home" buying hesitation. The result is better communication, increased close-ratios and higher average ticket sale amounts.
About SOFA – SOURCE OF FURNITURE + ACCESSORIES: SOFA is a one-stop design center; an amalgamation of permanent interior design showrooms for trade-only interior design professionals, manufacturers, buyers and dealers. Our evolving 200,000 sq. ft. space is a thriving conclave, open from 10 am - 4 pm Tuesday through Thursday. The elegantly designed, luxuriously appointed showrooms in our design center feature top Canadian, and many of the world's most sought-after manufacturers of home furnishings and accessories, along with top commercial and hospitality manufacturers and distributors. Feel free to visit, view and purchase. Visitsofa.com