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From Home Furnishing Business

DesignOn HPMKT by IMC Announces Schedule of Events and Seminars

September 29, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

“For the first time in more than a year, DesignOn HPMKT by IMC is presenting live, in-person programming at High Point Market!” said Dorothy Belshaw, IMC executive vice president, chief customer and marketing officer. “We’re using the lessons learned from the pause in our at-market events to improve the experience. Starting with this market, the hybrid programming prepares attendees for market, provides inspiration and networking while they are here and gives them the after-market tools to use when they return to their stores and studios.”

DesignOn HPMKT by IMC’s schedule of 19 at-market seminars and events features presentations by tastemakers, trend exploration and business-building education complemented by celebrations and sessions hosted in partnership with industry organizations.

The DesignOn HPMKT by IMC Seminar Room (SAMS T-922) on the recently reopened top floor of the Suites at Market Square is the hub of at-market designer programming with a full schedule of events. Programming kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 16 with an exploration of the diverse careers of four interior designers – Celia Barrett of Barrett Design Studio, Gary Inman of Gary Inman Home Couture and Grace Purchasing, Mike Ragan of RAGS Custom Furniture and David Santiago of Casa Santi – in “Beyond Boundaries, Expanding the Creative Process” at 11:00 a.m.; trend forecaster Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media presents an in-person, inside look at leading trends shaping the home furnishings as showcased by IMC’s High Point Market exhibitors in “TrendWatch: Fall 2021 - LIVE at Market!” at 1:30 p.m.; and color expert Patti Carpenter and designers Michel Boyd of Michel Smith Boyd, Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors and Thom Filicia discuss “Successful Business & Licensing Relationships” at 3:30p.m. On Sunday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m., the “Sherwin-Williams MODE Colormix® Forecast 2022 LIVE” is presented by Designer Marketing Manager Sabina Jahic and Designer Account Executive Shane Jones. Programming on Monday, October 18 includes interior designer, business coach and marketing consultant Melissa Galt sharing “Sourcing Shortcuts & Secrets to Save You Time & Make More Money” with tips for creating lucrative relationships with brand representatives at 11:00 a.m.; accredited health care professional Lori Miller of LGC Interior Design exploring how designers can provide an environment that fosters wellness and mindfulness in “Sensory By Design” at 1 p.m.; and panel discussion of “What Tools are Useful for Your Client?” featuring Michel Boyd, Christopher Charles of ChristopherCharles Interiors and IndigoRED and Eneia White of Eneia White Interiors, moderated by Kelli Lamb, editorial director and co-principal of Rue Magazine, and presented in partnership with the Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN) at 3 p.m.

Also on tap for Fall 2021 is the return of in-person tours. IMC’s celebrated TrendWatch tour returns with Vincenti leading an exploration of the Fall 2021 themes – AWAY, MALLEABLE and VERVE – via the three TrendWatch displays within IMC’s properties on Sunday, October 17 at 2:20 p.m. Four design tastemakers with a broad range of experiences and expertise will lead three one-hour Suite Spot Tours: Andre’ Jordan Hilton of JORDANHILTON Interiors on Saturday, October 16 at 2:30 p.m.; Arianne Bellizaire of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors on Sunday, October 17 at noon; and Inman with designer Zachary Hodgin, of Gary Inman Home Couture on Monday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Women in the home furnishings industry are the focus of a series of programs and events presented in partnership with WithIt, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the belief that women should play a major role in the growth and future of the home and furnishings industries. IMC hosts the 2021 WOW Awards recognizing and honoring women and those who elevate women in the home furnishings industry on Friday, October 15 at 6 p.m. On Sunday, October 17, WithIt presents “Women Leaders of Design” introducing five future icons of design – Jane Dagmi, editor-in-chief of Designers Today; designer, artist and author Kelli Ellis; designer Nancy Fire of Design Works International; designer Stacy Garcia; and Victoria Sanchez of Victoria at Home – in conversation with Gary Inman at 1 p.m., immediately followed by a meet and greet with the panelists and WithIt leadership. WithIt extends its programming after market for the “WithIt Student Mentoring Day 2021” including a keynote presentation by Fire, roundtable discussions and showroom tours for university students in home furnishings-related majors on Wednesday, October 20 beginning at 8:00 a.m.

DesignOn HPMKT by IMC also is sponsoring at-market events with the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) and Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). IMC sponsors the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame “Seize This Moment Induction Celebration” on Sunday, October 17, 5:30 p.m. as it inducts the class of 2021, including IMC CEO Bob Maricich. It also sponsors the ISFD 25th Annual ISFD Pinnacle Awards® Celebration with awards to be given in 24 categories of furniture, accessories, lighting and textiles on Monday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m. SFC hosts an Open Membership Meeting where it will make important announcements of plans and initiatives for the next 15 years on Saturday, October 16 at 8 a.m.

In addition to these events, DesignOn HPMKT by IMC hosts “Second Night- A Progressive Gala” at IMC’s Hamilton Wrenn properties with live street entertainment and musicians throughout the district, themed parties and influencer interactions on Sunday, October 17 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.

Virtual Programming Pre-and-Post-Market
A series of six free webinars help buyers get ready for market and make the most of their market finds.  Pre-Market content includes tips for personal branding plus product and color trend information. “ITA: The Power of Our Stories” is a workshop in crafting a unique brand message presented by Ericka Saurit, founder of Saurit Creative, in partnership with the International Textile Alliance (ITA) on Wednesday, September 29 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media offers a virtual, pre-market version of her image-rich trend presentation featuring IMC High Point Market exhibitors in “TrendWatch: Fall 2021” on Wednesday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Industry experts Ken Busch, journalist and architectural photographer, publisher and founder of Material Intelligence; Andrew Dent, PhD., EVP of Materials Research at Material ConneXion and chief material scientist at Material Bank; Nancy Fire co-founder and creative director of Design Works International; and Kathryn Richardson, vice president of Sales for LIBECO-LAGAE Inc. discuss some of the latest materials innovations hitting the market in a panel discussion moderated by John Conrad, executive director of International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) in “Noteworthy New Materials in the Market” on Thursday, October 7, 1:00 p.m. In “Wellness Design in the Home: Designing Through the Influences of Color, Nature & Coatings Technology”presented by Shane Jones, designer account executive for Sherwin-Williams, on Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m., attendees will identify the role that paint technologies can play in promoting better indoor air quality and review how intrinsic color is in the wellness discussion.

In a mid-Market webinar, Mike Rittler, general Manager, Retail Card Services and Personal Lending at TD Bank, shares his outlook on key drivers and considerations for retail executives for what is predicted to be one of the busiest holiday shopping seasons ever in “Holiday Shopping Outlook: How Furniture Retailers Can Elevate Their Strategies” on Tuesday, October 19 at 11:00a.m. EDT.

In the post-market webinar “What I Wish I Knew When Potential Clients Call,” Genevieve Trousdale, founder of Circaphiles, and business coach Gail Baral give tips for vetting and acquiring new clients on Wednesday, October 26, at 1:00p.m. EDT.

Additional event information, CEU designations and registrations is at IMCHighPointMarket.com/webinars-and-events.