Industry Conference Sets Educational Programs

January 26, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on January 27, 2012

The 2012 Home Furnishings Industry Conference, "Gaining the Edge," has set educational programs for the May 6-8 event in Palm Springs, Calif.

Education is geared to the needs of all attendees: retailers, manufacturers and services providers. The two and a half day event features more than 24 educational sessions, including co-created sessions by the attendees.

The event will kick-off with an opening keynote from Larry Winget, the "Pitbull of Professional Development." Winget will teach universal principles that work for anyone, in any business, during any time. The opening session will make you think, and laugh, while Winget shares his wisdom. Afterward, each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of Winget's new book, "People are Idiots and I can Prove It."

Another agenda highlight is hearing straight from industry veterans on how they gained the edge in business. The session "Gaining the Edge in Business" features retailers Pedro Capo, El Dorado Furniture, Miami Gardens, Fla.; Larry Miller, Sit 'n Sleep, Gardena, Calif.; and manufacturer Satya Tiwari, Surya Rugs, Calhoun, Ga. They will all share how their companies have survived and thrived over the years and their journeys and stories will leave you inspired to turn your dreams into reality.

Social media continues to be a hot topic for retailers, and many of the HFIC 2012 break out sessions will focus on how to utilize social media tools to grow business, as well as deal with the "always-connected" customer. Attendees will have a chance to co-create their education on the final day by voting on their top-four favorite sessions from day one. These sessions will then be repeated during the second day€”giving attendees the chance to not miss out on any nuggets of great information.

Tim Sanders, former CSO at Yahoo, will close the event with his session, "Today We are Rich--Harnessing the Power of Total Confidence." Pulling from his own experiences that led him from a sales executive at Mark Cuban's broadcast.com to chief solutions officer at Yahoo in less than four years, Sanders will show the audience how to elevate leadership thinking, generate momentum in their groups, build a promise-keeping culture and find strength to tackle any challenge. All attendees to this session will receive a complimentary copy of Sanders' new book, "Today We Are Rich."

Breakout session speakers include: Jody Seivert, David Szen, Kevin Doran, David McMahon, Kim Miller-Hershon, Mary Liz Curtin, David Lively, Larry Shinkle, Jeff Hiller, John McCloskey, Kevin Truett, and Sally Morse.

"The level of education at this year's event is unequalled," said National Home Furnishings Association President Marc Schewel of Schewels Furniture. "The variety, experience and talent of each one of the HFIC speakers will ensure that every attendee takes away ideas they can put to use right way. And having the best sessions repeated on day two, no one will feel like they missed out on anything. That is added value if you ask me."

Members of WHFA, NHFA, HFIA, PFD, and their affiliates can take advantage of buy-one, get-one-free pricing. One registration of $495 must be purchased, and the second person can attend for free. Additional registrations for other team members are $199 each.

To learn more about the Home Furnishings Industry Conference and register, click here.