IM Centers Sets High Point Market Seminars

April 2, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 3, 2012 International Market Centers has set a schedule for High Point Furniture Market educational and trend seminars.

All take place on the 11th floor of the International Home Furnishing Center's Green Wing.

* "The Heart of the Home: Helping Women Furnish Their Homes for Fully Connected Family Living"
Saturday, April 21, noon-1 p.m. Ballroom B. Today's tech-savvy, Internet-enabled furniture consumer knows what she likes, how she wants to live, and how much she can spend. If you can help her realize her home dreams on her budget, you'll win her love. Better Homes and Gardens Editors Amy Panos, senior editor, and Joseph Boehm, senior interior designer, share how this new breed of consumer thinks and what she wants most from her home and the resources that help her achieve it. Sponsored by IHFC; reservations not required; complimentary box lunch provided.
 
* "WithIt Educational Breakfast, Lifestyle Changes and How They Influence Your Business"
Sunday, April 22, 7:30-9 a.m., Ballroom A. Kathy Wall of The Media Matters Inc. moderates a panel discussion with three editorial champions whose expert insights help inform consumer tastes and trends: syndicated writer Elaine Markoutsas, designer and blogger Jason Oliver Nixon, and Traditional Home senior style editor Krissa Rossbund. What do they see coming next and how will that influence your business? Sponsored by IHFC and WithIt; breakfast and seminar are free of charge; reservations are required by e-mail or at withit.org.
 
* "Growing a Business Environmentally"
Sunday, April 22, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Presented by Mitchell Gold, co-founder and chairman of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Gold discusses the inspiration behind his entrepreneurial venture with Bob Williams, launched 23 years ago in the midst of a recession. He'll share what compelled them to build a different kind of furniture company, one organized around the concept of comfort and the environment, and explain what it means for consumers, employees€”and the environment. $20 includes lunch; advance registration recommended; reservation is secured upon receipt of payment. E-mail to request a credit card authorization. Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.
 
* "Why the Bad Economy has been the Best Thing for My Business"
Monday, April 23, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Internationally acclaimed designer Allison Paladino presents a provocative discussion on what's important now, from the creative process to building your personal brand as a designer, and why the Recession may actually be the best thing that ever happened to her high-end interior design business. With a sharp wit and a healthy dose of humor, Allison shares her personal story, from landing her first job directly out of design school with Thomas Pheasant, to being named "One of America's 25 Top Young Designers" by House Beautiful, to launching her own highly successful design practice serving luxury consumers in Palm Beach, Fla. She'll offer insights, inspirations and a fresh perspective on how designers with classical backgrounds can effectively compete in the Internet age, the inside story on the major licensed collection she's created for E.J. Victor, and finding order and success in the crazy, creative profession of design. $20 includes lunch; advance registration recommended; reservation is secured upon receipt of payment. E-mail to request a credit card authorization. Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.
 
* "Hide & Seek Leather Seminar" (CEU 0.1 credit units)
Tuesday, April 24, 9-10 a.m., Ballroom B. Leather has been a cornerstone of the interior design industry for centuries but its story and merits are not broadly understood. Hide & Seek is a one hour "everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask that will bolster your confidence when discussing leather with your clients. Instructor John Smith is the founder of the furnishings company Willem Smith and its sister company, Willem Smith Leather, both based in Washington, D.C. $10 at the door, check or cash only; reservations not required; complimentary refreshments. Sponsored by IHFC.
 
* "Passion to Profit"
Tuesday, April 24, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Learn how to transition from simply professing a passion to actually profiting from your passion. Lisa Luby Ryan, interior designer, store owner and entrepreneur, will share the practical steps that bring you to "loving what you do and doing what you love." She will outline her principles for business success that can be adapted to any product or service. Reservations not required; complimentary box lunch provided. Sponsored by IHFC. 
 
* "Market Trend Wrap-Up"
Wednesday, April 25, 9-10 a.m., Ballroom B. Tracy Bulla, senior product editor at Home Accents Today, presents the hottest trends from the April 2012 Market. Complimentary refreshments provided.
 
Visit the IHFC Web site for more information about this seminar series and other market highlights.