Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Dorel Plans “Licensed to Thrill” Panel Discussion for Revamped Showroom
October 4,
2022 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry 
Dorel Home, a segment of Dorel Industries Inc. has revamped its Commerce & Design building showroom (Space 9A) to better showcase its growing house of brands and has created a star-studded event for marketgoers to celebrate.
Encompassing both educational and social networking components, the event is scheduled for Oct. 22 - from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
The event kicks off with “Licensed to Thrill,” a panel discussion exploring how Dorel and its brand partners stay relevant, accessible, and ahead of the curve. Featured speakers come from the diverse fields of television, publishing, design, and product development.
Panelists include Robert and Cortney Novogratz, The Novogratz; David Collins, co-creator and executive producer of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy;” Kate Albrecht & Joey Zehr, "Mr. Kate"; Angela Kim, senior director, global licensing, Hearst Magazines, representing Cosmo Living; and Joy Raccagano-Bond, director of product development-national brands at Ameriwood Home, representing Dorel Home’s house brand, Little Seeds.
The panel will be moderated by Claudia Grundman, vice president, global brand partnerships, Dorel Home. “Consumers love brands, and nothing engages them more than their favs coming together in experiential extensions and collabs that excite,” said Grundman.
Indeed, a key trend in the licensing world now and one the panel intends to explore is brand collaboration. “In essence, these are capsule collections where you partner up with another talent or someone in the spotlight who has an eye for the product you’re creating,” said Grundman.
“A great example of this at this Market is The Novogratz x Paris Hilton,” the executive noted. “The Novogratz were our first licensing partner and most successful to date, and they are always involved in new collaborations, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Paris to drive business and excitement.”
Grundman continues, “Even so, in today’s complex marketplace, successful licensed deals are typically the exception, rather than the norm, and that makes the insights of these panelists even more valuable to anyone who wishes to pursue licensing as a business model in the home furnishings business.”
Following the panel discussion special food and beverage stations throughout the showroom will offer beer, wine, and small bites.