The Metro/Northeast chapter of WithIt (Women in the Home Furnishings Industry Today), announced that it will host its third annual New York Design Scene Grand Tour May 16 – 18, in New York City.
Scheduled to coincide with the premiere design trade exhibition ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), WithIt’s three-day event will include attendance at the Fair located at the Javits Convention Center, access to special guest speakers, shopping tours, museum visits, and entry into the season’s downtown design circuit.
“Home furnishings industry professionals take advantage of this event for the networking opportunities but also to get access to the leading design trends,” says Jana Platina Phipps, owner of Home Couture Collective and current WithIt board member. “With our membership in attendance, what gets seen in New York can directly impact the future consumer experience at retail.”
The event will kick off with a welcome reception Saturday night, along with a special presentation by Carla Gervasio and Diane Rankin of 42.Brand Illumination entitled "Women Consumers Today and Market Trends OUTSIDE of Home Furnishings."
Highlights of the days to follow include a guided visit at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and a special tour through the ICFF tradeshow.
On Sunday evening, a Dining with Design dinner and cocktail event will be hosted by Benjamin Bradley and David Thiergartner of Bradley Thiergartner Interiors in their Upper East Side home. A visit to New York’s hottest retail locations in Brooklyn is scheduled for Monday afternoon, following a morning roundtable discussion on Color in Design hosted by House Beautiful magazine. The evening cocktail hour will be hosted by Barbara Moore Design and include experts in designing for small spaces Libby Langdon, a 2009 WithIt board member, Patricia Fox and Melanie Mintz. “WithIt is focused on increasing benefits to its members which this event is sure to accomplish,” said Liz O’Brien, WithIt president. “We hope anyone who has an interest in design leadership can find a way to attend.”
WithIt invites all industry peers to join. Registration for the entire weekend is $175.00 for members and $225.00 for non-members, $50.00 for student members and $175.00 for non-student members. One day registration is also available at $100 for members and $150 for non-members. Visit www.withit.org for additional details and to register.
WithIt, the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries. Sara Lyke is executive director and may be reached at 336-880-2188, or director@withit.org.