IMC Sets Seminars, Tours, Events Schedule for Spring HP Market

March 9, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

“IMC is proud to provide a broad range of interactive, educational and inspiring programming at Spring High Point Market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, IMC chief marketing and digital officer. “Our seminars, events and social offerings are an added value to those who attend the world’s largest furnishings gathering this spring.”

IMC’s Spring High Point Market educational offerings will feature 17 seminars and seven designer-led tours. The robust schedule allows retailers and designers to supplement their buying activities with complimentary, expert-led programming, encompassing trends, business strategies and forecasts. An additional 10 IMC-hosted social events, including complimentary breakfast and coffee, cocktail hours, and martini and dinner parties, will provide chances for relaxation and networking.

IMC-Hosted Seminars/Events 

Friday, April 26

Innovation + Design – Meet the Designers 
Innovation + Design, Suites at Market Square, T-460
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join us at the Innovation + Design Exhibition opening ceremony and Meet the Designers reception. The International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) is launching the Innovation + Design Exhibition, which is the premier of a furniture industry-sponsored competition intended for professional Maker/Designers and the next generation of serious woodworking students who are anticipating a career in the wood and related industries. Come and meet the designers and innovators of tomorrow and see their designs.

Saturday, April 25 

Sherwin-Williams Colormix® Forecast 2020 
Shane Jones, Allied ASID, Sherwin-Williams Designer Account Executive
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Sherwin-Williams (1 CEU)
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Jones will introduce 45 trend colors that are spun into five welcoming and intuitive palettes.

TrendWatch: Spring 2020 
Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
TrendWatch will give attendees an inside look at leading trends shaping the home furnishings industry.

Expand Your Network: The Benefits of Building Relationships In and Outside of the Design Industry 
Showhouse in a Showroom Designers - Kurt Jacob Miller, Luke Mack, Phyllis Martin and Nicole Culler
Alden Parkes Seminar Room, 200 N. Hamilton, South Court in Suite #110
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Alden Parkes (1 CEU)
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join the ‘Showhouse in a Showroom’ designers as they discuss why designers should be making connections within the design industry.

Designing For Living: Product Design For a Magazine vs. a Home 
Suzanne Kasler, Josh Greene, Jesse Carrier, Mara Miller and Krissa Rossbund as moderator
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join Rossbund, senior style + design editor of Traditional Home Magazine as she discusses the balance between avant garde product design and the livable luxury that is synonymous with her famed panelists.

Sunday, April 26 

Our New Customer: Understanding the Millennial Designer and Their Digital-First Client 
Erinn Valencich, Erinn V Design Group
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC- DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU) 10 – 11 a.m.
Erinn Valencich, founder of Erinn V Design Group, ERINN V. furniture and StyleRow, will discuss how businesses can be more effective and profitable, especially for the millennial mindset.

Light-ography 2.0
Charles Pavarini III, Jeremy Bauer, Jason Clifton
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU)
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pavarini will lead panel moderated by Furniture Lighting & Decor that will discuss high-profile design installations and how new lighting technology is integrating into design direction.

Must Know Tips on How to Take Your Interior Photography Shoots to the Next Level 
Stephen Karlisch and Traci Zeller
Alden Parkes Seminar Room, 200 N. Hamilton, South Court in Suite #110
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Alden Parkes (1 CEU)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Photographer Stephen Karlisch and interior designer Traci Zeller will discuss how to craft a great photoshoot, how to find the right photographer, pre-planning and styling tips, and how to make the shoot a success.

Design, Philanthropy and the Meaning of Life 
Mario & Cathy Costantini, La Lune Collection
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and La Lune Collection (1 CEU)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The couple will present a discussion that explores specific ideas on how to leverage your business to pursue your personal passions and make the world a better place.

Re-defining Luxury 
Erinn Valencich, Chad James, Vicky Serany, Scot Meacham Wood, Brynn Olson and Lynn Terry from Southern Home
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Southern Home (1 CEU)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The panel will discuss different viewpoints of luxury and how it can vary based on economics, lifestyle, location, time and more.

Monday, April 27 

How to Achieve Great Financial Results and Keep your Sanity 
Gail Doby, ASID, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU)
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Doby will explain how to work smarter, not harder, and how to love your business and your life.

STORYTELLING By Merchandising a Home for Sale 
Barbara Heil Sonneck, Birgit Anich and Johnathan Miller, HSRA Board of Advisors
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and HSRA (1 CEU)
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The panel will discuss the types of trends you should follow to tell the right story for your clients when designing or staging a home.

Architectural Recessed Lighting for the Home 
Abigail Sorensen, Visual Comfort & Company
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Tech Lighting (1 CEU)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Sorensen will offer attendees a better understanding of the common principles and concepts of lighting and how to use quality recessed fixtures to achieve beautiful residential design and impact lighting has on visibility, visual comfort, aesthetics, task performance and more.

Coaches in Your Corner: Learn How Media Can Help Expand Your Design Business 
Evette Rios, Mikel Welch and Stephen Davies and moderated by Ellen Gefen, Host of TheHome.com
Alden Parkes Seminar Room, 200 N. Hamilton, South Court in Suite #110
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and Alden Parkes (1 CEU)
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The panel will provide advice on growing your design business through media opportunities, licensing and design collaborations -- all while not signing your rights away.

Everything You Want to Know About Home Staging - IAHSP Pro Panel 
Sandra Holmes, Blair Hamaty, Karen Mendenhall
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and IAHSP (1 CEU)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The group will provide insight into what it takes to build a successful and long-term home staging business.

Sensory By Design 
Lori Miller, LGC Interior Design
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (1 CEU)
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Miller will discuss wellness in the home and how to use four of the five senses to create an environment harmonious with its end user.

Tuesday, April 28 

Using Financing to Retain and Attract Customers in Uncertain Economic Times 
Mike Rittler, TD Bank
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Co-Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT and TD Bank (0.1 CEU)
11:00 a.m. – noon
Rittler will discuss new and innovative financing and ways to help drive sales throughout the year for the furniture and home decor industry.

The Ins and Outs of Marketing for Creatives: The Next Steps 
Dawn Brinson, VP of Strategic Marketing, The Media Matters
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
Sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT (0.1 CEU)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Brinson will help attendees identify marketing and communications goals, develop a workable plan and show how a practical, easy-to-follow approach will help garner better exposure, influence clients’ perceptions and drive business to your design pipeline.

Tours 

Saturday, April 25

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
C&D Highlights Tour with Chad James 
Chad James, Chad James Group
Tour will depart from the ground floor of C&D Building
James introduces tour attendees to his favorite finds in lighting, casual and home furnishings in the Commerce & Design (C&D) Building.  

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Suite Spot Tour with Bauer/Clifton Interiors 
Jeremy Bauer & Jason Clifton, Bauer/Clifton Interiors
Tour will depart from the Top Floor of the Suites - Sherwin-Williams Designer Lounge
Get a first-hand look at what Bauer and Clifton think are the leading trends at High Point Market this spring.

Sunday, April 26 

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Suite Spot Tour with Keia McSwain 
Keia McSwain, BIDN and Kimberly + Cameron Interiors
Tour will depart from the Top Floor of the Suites – Sherwin-Williams Designer Lounge
Get first-hand look at what McSwain finds is trending at High Point Market this spring.

Monday, April 27 

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Suite Spot Tour with Charles Pavarini III – Lighting Focused 
Charles Pavarini III, PAVARINI DESIGN
Tour will depart from the Top Floor of the Suites - Sherwin-Williams Designer Lounge
See what products Pavarini found to be innovative and trend forward in lighting at High Point Market.

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
TrendWatch Tour with Julie Smith Vincenti 
Suites at Market Square TrendWatch display (Ground Floor)
Smith Vincenti will lead attendees through the three key design directions she predicts will most impact the home furnishings market in the future.

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Hamilton Highlights Tour with Niki McNeill 
Niki McNeill, SingleBubblePop Design Studio
Tour will leave from Alden Parkes Seminar Room, South Court in Suite #110
McNeill will take attendees on a guided tour though her favorite finds from three IMC buildings on North Hamilton – 200, 320 and 330 – highlighting what’s new and innovative in each.

Tuesday, April 28 

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Suite Spot Tour with Mikel Welch 
Tour will depart from the Top Floor of the Suites - Sherwin-Williams Designer Lounge
Get a first-hand look at what Welch thinks are the leading trends at High Point Market this spring.

IMC Social Events 

Coffee & Sweets at the Suites: Friday through Wednesday – 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 
Top Floor of the Suites at Market Square
Enjoy complimentary coffee and mini donuts and cupcakes, sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT.

Showplace Coffee and Sweets: Saturday through Tuesday – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. 
Showplace Atrium
Start your day at Showplace with complimentary mini donuts, cupcakes and coffee from our roaming hospitality cart, sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT.

Complimentary Gourmet Coffee: Saturday through Tuesday - 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
200 N Hamilton: Courtyard and 3rd on Main
Start your day at 200 N. Hamilton with a complimentary coffee

Progressive Cocktail Hours: Friday through Tuesday, various hours and floors 
SALON ONLY: Friday 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
SAMS & SALON: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
IHFC and Showplace: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Market Square: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
C&D: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Connect with peers while having complimentary beer and wine from IMC’s rolling bars

Afternoon Social: Saturday through Tuesday – 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. 
200 N. Hamilton Street (Hamilton Courtyard)
Enjoy beer and wine in the Hamilton Courtyard

InterHall Martini Parties: Saturday through Tuesday – 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. 
IHFC: InterHall first floor
Enjoy specialty martinis at four different locations throughout InterHall, sponsored by IMC-DesignOnHPMKT

Southern Comfort in SALON – Sunday only 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Suites at Market Square, Ground Floor SALON
Stroll through SALON while sipping champagne or a Southern Comfort Collins

Third Night- A Progressive Gala – Monday only, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
Hamilton Wrenn Properties
Enjoy live street entertainment and musicians throughout the district with a wide variety of special menus, themed parties and influencer interactions within participating showrooms

Sunset on 3: Saturday to Tuesday – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 
Showplace: Third floor balcony
Marketgoers can enjoy complimentary beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres, co-sponsored by Sunbrella and Capris Furniture.

Tuesday Night BBQ - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 
Sherwin-Williams Seminar Room (SAMS T-822)
IMC will be serving traditional Southern-style BBQ with all the fixings