IMC Webinars to Address Diversity in Retail and Design

July 29, 2020  by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

These webinars are being presented as an extension of IMC’s recently formed Diversity & Inclusion Network which strives for universal inclusion and a diverse and tolerant workplace.

“IMC is committed to providing the industry-at-large with timely and relevant content and none is more important than inclusiveness and representation during the current social justice movement,” said Dorothy Belshaw, chief marketing and digital officer. “As IMC works towards a more welcoming and inclusive environment for our team members, regardless of differences in race, gender or sexuality, we offer these webinars as an opportunity for the industry to consider diversity issues in our marketplaces.”

The first webinar, A Conversation about Diversity in Retail, explores best practices in diversity and inclusion, gives insights into steps companies are taking and discusses results. Presenters are Terence Morris, IMC’s senior vice president of gift leasing and DeAnna J. McIntosh, global retail and e-commerce consultant. The webinar, which is presented by Atlanta Apparel and World of Prom & Social Occasion takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. (EST).

The second webinar, Diversity in Today’s Market, addresses today’s diverse consumer marketplace and how that diversity influences business and design. Panelists are Breegan Jane, founder of Breegan Jane Interior Design; Rachel Moriarty, lifestyle brand CEO and principal interior designer at Rachel Moriarty Interiors; Katrena Griggs, president, founder and showroom pioneer of Curated Home Brands; and Ron Woodson, co-founder and principal designer of Woodson & Rummerfield House of Design. The webinar, presented by Las Vegas Market and Atlanta Market and moderated by IMC’s Cindy Hodnett, takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. (EST).

Registration for both webinars is free and can be completed on the Atlanta Market Remote page at www.AmericasMart.com/AtlantaRemote, the Las Vegas Market webinar page at www.LVMKT.com/Webinars or the Atlanta Apparel webinar page at www.AmericasMart.com/events. These webinars join dozens of upcoming and past webinars that are accessible online in lieu of in-person programming at the markets this summer.

In June, IMC created a Diversity and Inclusion Network, an internal taskforce compromised of 12 employees across the company’s departments and campuses, and co-captained by three employees: Terence Morris; Kempen Olivier, director of security and safety; and Danielle Hall, IT project manager.

The Network seeks to achieve four primary goals: create community for diverse professionals at IMC; develop programming and forums addressing diversity, inclusion, human rights and social justice; implement policy changes at IMC supporting diversity and equal opportunities for advancement; and provide a platform for thought leadership in the gift, home furnishings and apparel industries.

IMC’s Summer Markets are:

• World of Prom & Social Occasion: August 3-7, 2020 at AmericasMart Atlanta
• August Atlanta Apparel: August 4-8, 2020 at AmericasMart Atlanta
• Atlanta Market: August 13-18, 2020 at AmericasMart Atlanta
• Las Vegas Market: August 30 – September 3, 2020 at World Market Center Las Vegas

Pre-registration is required for all IMC markets this summer. Registration information is available at www.AmericasMart.com and www.LasVegasMarket.com.