Anyone who's ever been to a winter market knows that there's a whirlwind of activity going on. Showrooms have new products they're dying to show off, and they're putting out great spreads for lunches and happy hours. Markets, however, are about more than new products and free food. They're also great opportunities to attend seminars and learn what's new in retail and digital spaces.
We know you're going to be bouncing from one showroom to the next in Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas, but carve a little time out of your day and don't miss these three awesome seminars.
Don't Struggle with Social: Finding, Hiring and Seeing Success with a Social Media Manager — Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market
With social media, it sometimes feels like you're screaming into the void. You try to post regularly, but when you don't get much of a response, you give up. You want to look into Facebook advertising, but with all your other responsibilities, there's just not enough time in the day.
Crystal Vilkaitis, founder of digital marketing agency Social Edge, knows firsthand how difficult it can be to run your own social media accounts and your business at the same time. In her seminar, she'll discuss why hiring a social media manager can help your business, alleviate some of your stress and responsibilities and ensure that your business stays active and visible on social media. She'll also tackle:
- How to attract the best candidates.
- Setting hours and pay.
- Choosing the tools they should be using.
- Measuring his or her short- and long-term success.
Vilkaitis will also be featured in the Digital Bulletin section of Lighting & Decor's January issue, so don't miss her in person at AmericasMart.
Seminar: Don't Struggle with Social: Finding, Hiring and Seeing Success with a Social Media Manager
Speaker: Crystal Vilkaitis
Location: Building 1, Floor 5, Lighting & Decor Lounge
Date: Jan. 10
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Broaden Your Brand: Tips and Tactics to Really Grow Your Design Business with Dann Foley, Libby Langdon & Michelle Workman — Dallas Total Home & Gift Show
As you already know, the advertising landscape has shifted dramatically over the last few years. Interior designers now face more competition than ever with digital design services like Havenly and in-house design services in some furniture showrooms. With so much noise, how do you cut through it all?
In this seminar, industry veterans Dann Foley, Libby Langdon and Michelle Workman sit down with Nick May, podcast host of The Chaise Lounge, to offer their perspectives on how to grow a design business. Each panelist will discuss how he or she has successfully self-promoted and landed TV appearances and licensed collections. Additionally, the talk also promises:
- Tips for reaching out to the press.
- Advice for leveraging social media.
- Tactics for expanding into the world of TV, media and licensed collections.
This seminar is geared towards interior designers, but showroom owners and managers may get a few good tips in self-promotion as well.
Seminar: Broaden Your Brand: Tips and Tactics to Really Grow Your Design Business
Speakers: Dann Foley, Libby Langdon and Michelle Workman
Location: IHDC 1D205
Date: Jan. 18
Time: 3 p.m.
Designing for Small Spaces is a Big Deal — Las Vegas Market
Be they Boomers or Millennials, consumers from all generations seem to be embracing the small spaces. For Boomers, their empty nests seem too big for just one or two people, and for Millennials, the struggle to become a first-time buyer continues. Even when they do purchase homes, those homes are small and usually in urban areas.
The most successful showrooms and designers will be the ones who carry small-space furniture and lighting and create designs specifically for small spaces. That's where Christopher Grubb of Arch-Interiors Design Group Inc. comes in. His designs have helped consumers find great furniture pieces that maximize both style and functionality. In his talk, he'll discuss:
- Furnishings and decor techniques that serve both style and purpose.
- Small-space projects he's worked on.
- Consumer desires on product quality, function and trendiness.
This seminar is for both retailers and designers, so put it on your radar.
Seminar: Designing for Small Spaces is a Big Deal
Speaker: Christopher Grubb, Arch-Interiors Design Group Inc.
Location: Building C Seminar Room, C174
Date: Jan. 28
Time: 1 p.m.
Which of these seminars is on your must-see list? Share with us in the comments!
