Industry Luminaries Headline IHFC's Market Seminars

Furniture World Magazine

IHFC will be the focal point of fresh ideas during the April High Point Market, bringing a broad range of seminars and some of the industry's most respected innovators, all aimed at helping retailers, interior designers and manufacturers improve their business. All of the following events will be in rooms on the 11th floor of IHFC's Green Wing: "Visioning the Future: Trend Insights for 2009 and 2010," Michelle Lamb Monday, April 7, noon, Ballroom B. Includes complimentary box lunch. Internationally known trend forecaster and senior editor of The Trend Curve, Lamb will present her latest observations about the future of color and design for home décor. Her magazine forecasts trends in color, pattern and design for manufacturers, interior designers and retailers. Lamb is founder and chairman of Minneapolis-based Marketing Directions, which specializes in color and trend forecasting. Clients include 3M, Day-Timers, Target, Home Depot, Gerber, Tarkett, Hunter Fan, Thomasville, EK Success, Petmate and Hunter Douglas. She also guides "The Trend Curve Colors" forecasts for décor, kids, Christmas and the Latino market, as well as the "Trend Album" series of European trend reports. Her blog, "Connecting the Dots," is in its third year. "Making Savvy Business Decisions Without Sacrificing Your Values," Jaclyn Smith Tuesday, April 8, 7:30 a.m., WithIt Breakfast, International Ballroom. Learn how Smith, whose enjoys a brand relationship with an estimated 100 million women, makes smart business decisions while remaining true to her values. From her best-known role as one of the original Charlie's Angels to playing a leadership role in lifestyle merchandising in home furnishings, Smith's brands are synonymous with beauty, grace and refreshing sincerity. A pioneer of the celebrity brand in the '80s, Smith created an $11 billion clothing line at Kmart that Women's Wear Daily judged as having the highest consumer awareness of all private-label apparel brands. "Suzanne's Signature Mix in Design – Fresh and Uncluttered," Suzanne Kasler Tuesday, April 8, Ballroom B, $15 fee for lunch. Advance registration recommended. Co-Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA-Carolinas Chapter. Kasler established a successful commercial design firm in Indianapolis more than 20 years ago after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and Harvard's Program for Continuing Professional Education. In 1991, she relocated to Atlanta, introducing her signature style while concentrating on residential design. Kasler is known for blending continental flavor and classic design while drawing inspiration from the environment and her clients' own collections of art and furnishings. In addition, Kasler has developed new lines of furniture with Hickory Chair and lighting with Visual Comfort, both debuting at the April market. "From Retail to E-tail… Marketing on the Web," Mary Liz Curtin Wednesday, April 9, 9 a.m., High Point Room. Successful merchants of all kinds are using Internet marketing to stay in touch with customers, strengthen their brands and attract new shoppers. As co-owner of Leon & Lulu, an award-winning, 15,000-square-foot furniture, accessory and gift store, Curtin brings real-life experience to this virtual table. She will share how-to tips beginners need as well as creative ideas and strategies for experienced e-marketers to sell more product, build their brands and publicize events and promotions online. She will also discuss marketing with eBay and how to use the world's largest marketplace to increase your business. Bring your best ideas -- there will be prizes. "Bold Strokes: Using Art in Glamorous Interiors," Jamie Drake Wednesday, April 9, noon, $15 fee for lunch. Advance registration recommended. Co-Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA-Carolinas Chapter. Since launching Drake Design Associates in 1978, Drake has completed a vast array of projects for an impressive roster of clients. The list includes a showplace for Madonna in Los Angeles and multiple projects for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a client for almost 20 years, including the recent renovation and restoration of Gracie Mansion, the ceremonial residence of New York mayors. An active member and former vice president of the New York Chapter of ASID, Drake received the 2000 D&D Designers and Distinction Award and a recent Partnership for the Homeless Director's Award. He also serves on The Alpha Workshops board. "Conducting Successful Events in Your Store," Lynni Megginson Thursday, April 10, 9 a.m. High Point Room. Complimentary pastries and beverages. Owner of L&M Designs and a rising star in the retail industry, Megginson will share her secrets during this how-to seminar showing retailers what it takes to plan and orchestrate successful events. She has been listed as one of the nation's Top 50 Retail Stars. Through her widely read column in Home Accents Today, "Just Lynni," she has inspired countless retailers across America with her blend of humor, common-sense retailing and innovative, grass-roots marketing ideas. "Aiming at Affluence: Marketing Interior Design for Luxury Clients," Steve Noble Thursday, April 10, noon, Ballroom B. Complimentary box lunch. Noble is author of a book by the same title as this seminar. He will present key insights into the opportunity interior designers can seize in the luxury market, sketching the primary attributes of the luxury client and revealing effective strategies for winning their business and long-term loyalty. A respected leader in home furnishings for more than 25 years, Noble was an owner and president of The John Widdicomb Company, maker and marketer of fine furniture worldwide, including such significant licensed collections as Mario Buatta and Jacques Grange. He also served as managing director of Baker, Knapp and Tubbs, Ltd. in London. "Maxing Out the Convertible Market: Courting the Small Space Consumer," Libby Langdon Friday, April 11, 9 a.m., High Point Room. Complimentary pastries and beverages. Langdon, an interior designer and expert commentator on HGTV's hit show "Small Space, Big Style," will speak about a designer's view of trends and lifestyle for the small-space dweller, offering insights into this rapidly growing market for retailers and designers. She has been featured in numerous national shelter magazines, and her interior designs recently appeared on the covers of Hamptons Cottages and Gardens and Decorating Spaces. She is also a regular contributor and small-space expert to Decorating with Style and other Woman's Day special interest magazines. "Styles, Trends and Colors," Jenny Heinzen York Friday, April 11, noon, High Point Room. Complimentary box lunch. York, editor-in-chief of Home Accents Today, will offer an exclusive look at what's hot and now at the market and explore the color forecast for 2009. She has worked for HAT the past four years after seven years at sister publications Furniture Today, Kids Today and SoHo Today. She is a journalism and anthropology major from the University of North Carolina. "Color. It's what We Do." Becky Ralich Spak Saturday, April 12, noon, Ballroom B. Complimentary box lunch. Spak, CMG senior interior designer with Sherwin-Williams Trends, will identify and establish the latest color directions across a range of industries including transportation, fashion, home furnishings, building products and of course, coatings. She is an Allied Member of ASID and has a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis on fashion design from Bowling Green State University and an interior design degree from Ursuline College. Opening in 1921, IHFC was the original showroom building in High Point and after 85 years of expansion remains the centerpiece of the world’s largest home-furnishings trade show that attracts more than 90,000 participants twice a year to 2,600 showrooms covering 11.5 million square feet. IHFC alone is home to 650 of the leading home-furnishings manufacturers, including 13 of the top 20 companies, and covers 3.5 million square feet.