Hooker Furnishings Announces Designers Theater Programming for HPMKT

September 15, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

“We have an incredible lineup of educational events planned for Market, focused on what matters most to today’s interior designers,” said Cameron Sellers, VP of marketing at Hooker Furnishings. “Designers influence how people live, shape the spaces we experience, and bring our products and ideas to life in ways that ultimately impact the entire industry. That’s why we’ve made the Designers Theater a central part of our High Point experience. Our goal is not only to inspire them but also to provide practical tools, valuable knowledge, and access to experts who can help them grow their business and stay ahead in a fast-changing industry. Each event offers something they can carry with them long after 

Market ends.” 

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance for the following events by clicking here: https://hookerfurnishings.wufoo.com/forms/mactvgp1mnvgxg/

Saturday, October 17, 10:00-11:30 AM

AI-Powered Presentations in Minutes: Faster Workflows, Ethical Foundations.

Presenter: Jenna Gaidusek, founder of AI for Interior Designers™

1.5 CEU

Still spending hours pulling together client presentations? Join Jenna Gaidusek, founder of AI for Interior Designers™, at the Hooker showroom to learn how designers are using AI to build polished, client-ready presentations in a fraction of the time. Jenna will walk through the exact tools and workflows that turn mood boards, product selections, and design concepts into beautiful presentations in minutes, not days, all while keeping your creativity, your voice, and your integrity at the center. Known for her commitment to the ethical use of AI in design, Jenna will show you how to embrace these tools with confidence, transparency, and respect for the craft. You'll leave with practical techniques you can put to work before you even leave Market. Whether you're brand new to AI or already experimenting, this session will change the way you present your work.

Saturday, October 17, 3:30-4:30 PM

Master Instagram Edits: Create Content That Elevates Your Brand
Presenter: Linda Holt, professional photographer-turned interior designer- turned smartphone photography educator 

Moderator: Jessica Duce, co-founder of Vacation Rental Designers and the Vacation Rental Design Summit.

Interior designers know beautiful spaces tell a story—now learn how to tell yours through video. Join Linda Holt for a practical session on mastering Instagram Edits, where you'll learn five essential editing techniques, discover time-saving tools, and gain the confidence to create polished, engaging content that resonates with clients and grows your business. Leave with actionable tips you can start using immediately.

Sunday, October 18, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Fabric Intelligence CEU with Crypton and Hooker Furnishings – The Evolution of Residential Performance Textiles  

1 CEU

Presenter: Rachael Coble, Crypton Residential Outreach Director 

Looking for CEU credit during HPMKT? Join Crypton at the Hooker Furnishings showroom on Sunday morning for Fabric Intelligence: Understanding the Evolution of Residential Performance Textile Technologies. Enjoy Crypton giveaways, Light bites, and beverages served after the presentation!

Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Lesson Learned + Profits Earned

Moderator: Rick Campos - Host & Founder, Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast

Panelists: Lisa McDennon, Lisa McDennon Design, Jen Davidson, Interiors by Jen Davidson, and Shaun Crha, Wrensted Interiors 

Join us for the return of your favorite unfiltered panel conversation about personal growth and the business of design. This insightful panel discussion will feature three industry pros who will share where they started, where they’ve been, and where they’re headed in the business of design. Our panelists will reveal lessons learned, how they found their why, their path to profitability, and their vision for the future of their design business.

Monday, October 19, 10:00-11:00 AM

Inside the Boardroom: What Happens When Some of the Industry’s Best Business Minds Get in One Room?

Presenter: LuAnn Nigara

Panelists: Vin Nigara, Jennifer Tokatyan, Deb Mitchell, Robyn White, Pam Durkin, Jude Charles, Eileen Hahn, Rick Campos, Stacey Brown Randall, Cheryl Clendenon, Kate O’Hara, and Dixie Willard

 

For the first time ever at High Point Market, the doors to the Boardroom for Creatives are opening. Join LuAnn Nigara and meet some of the extraordinary business minds she has brought together to create an entirely new level of expert access for the creative industry.

This powerhouse panel brings Boardroom experts together in one room for a real conversation about the issues that most impact your business: sales, marketing, finances, systems, processes, leadership, profitability, and growth.

These aren’t simply industry voices with opinions. They are proven experts, trusted advisors, and accomplished business leaders, personally vetted and selected for the 

expertise they bring to the Boardroom. And the experts on this stage represent just a sampling of the remarkable talent available through Boardroom for Creatives.

Bring your hard questions. The ones you’re losing sleep over or putting off because you’re not sure who to ask. This is the room to ask them and get answers.

Meet the experts behind the advice and discover what it means to have this level of business expertise accessible when you need it most.

More than a panel, Boardroom for Creatives is making its High Point debut—and this is your invitation inside.

Monday, October 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

Title: ColorMix® 2027: Rewild at High Point

1 CEU

Presenter: Clint E. Craven, MBA, Designer Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams

Join Sherwin-Williams and Hooker Furnishings for an exclusive look at ColorMix® 2027: Rewild. Explore the colors, materials, and design influences shaping tomorrow’s interiors. Stay after the presentation for light bites, mimosas, and a guided showroom tour.