Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Alden Parkes Offers Free Accredited Market Seminars
March 4,
2020 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
High-end furniture manufacturer Alden Parkes is offering interior design professionals and media pros three days of free seminars, during market, in the seminar room at the Alden Parkes showroom located in the South Court of 200 N. Hamilton in Suite #110.
Alden Parkes and the International Market Centers are co-sponsoring the three seminars, all of which are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
“The design world is always evolving,” said Lynne McArdle, owner of Alden Parkes. “In today’s highly visual and interconnected environment it’s more important than ever to understand the behind-the-scenes aspect of running a design business.”
Market seminars include:
- Saturday, April 25, 3:00-4:00 pm: Expand Your Network: The Benefits of Building Relationships in and Outside of the Design Industry
Weighing the pros and cons of attending industry and community events? Hear firsthand from this season’s “Showhouse in a Showroom” designers (Nicole Culler, Phyllis Martin, Luke Mack & Kurt Jacob Miller, and Niki McNeill) how connections within the design industry helped their businesses grow. (Spoiler alert: some of the panelists met each other at the Designer Experience Conference and created relationships that led them to great opportunities). You never know what will come from networking!
- Sunday April 26, 1:00-2:00 pm: Must-Know Tips on How to Take Your Interior Photography Shoots to the Next Level
Good photography is a key ingredient to success. Join photographer Stephen Karlisch and interior designer Traci Zeller as they discuss how to craft a great photo shoot with your photographer, from finding the right photographer to pre-planning and styling tips, and what goes into a shoot to make it a success. And it’s not just about the shoot: learn what to know for after the shoot, including usage rights, social media etiquette, and more.
- Monday April 27th, 3:00-4:00 pm: Coaches in Your Corner: Learn How Media Can Help Expand Your Design Business (3 images)
How-to tips from interior designer, lifestyle expert and television host Evette Rios; interior and product designer and television personality Mikel Welch; and Stephen Davies, an attorney with 20 years of design industry experience. Advice on growing your design business through media opportunities and taking advantage of licensing and design collaborations without signing your rights away. Come prepared with questions as panelists give specific pointers to help you navigate television and other media. Learn how to take advantage of every opportunity that can help your business grow! Moderated by Ellen Gefen, Host of TheHome.com.
In addition to the seminars, Alden Parkes invites marketgoers to tour the “Showhouse in a Showroom”, an innovative program that invites leading designers to create settings using Alden Parkes products. The “Showhouse in a Showroom” designers will be feted at a Designer Celebration on Saturday, April 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Marketgoers are also invited to a festive Monday night 3rd Night Gala on April 27, in the showroom from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.