Design Edge Company launches its new trade show platform serving professional interior designers, a series of regional, two-day events throughout the U.S., starting with its inaugural debut in Boston, Sept. 22 - 23.
Subsequent events in Seattle, Chicago, Miami, Houston and San Francisco are planned through 2023.
According to Design Edge founder and CEO Lee Hershberg, the platform was developed to close the gap between product manufacturers and professional interior designers located in the country’s top regional centers.
“We identified an appetite on both sides of the design sourcing equation for regionally based, in-person events,” says Hershberg, an industry veteran. “Our events offer a curated experience based on the location, while in each case providing attendees and exhibitors with an intimate format for product discovery and relationship building.”
At each regional event, Design Edge additionally promises interior designer attendees special product previews, educational programming, round table discussions and networking activities to support the interior design entrepreneur.
In Boston and the surrounding New England states, invitations to attend the September event have been met with enthusiasm.
“Design Edge events are for professionals who are not currently attending, or who want to supplement their visits to the national shows,” says Hershberg. “The regional format is ideal for them to more directly access owners and executives of leading design-oriented resources.”
Anticipating the inaugural event for Design Edge, one designer concurs that proximity to her operations is a draw for attending. “I look forward to having manufacturers that I often specify for projects come to Boston so I can see the Fall '21 Collection right in my own backyard,” says Lisa Kreiling, principal at LTK Interiors.
Rachel Reider of Rachel Reider Interiors looks forward to attending the Boston event as a team. “It’s been years since the RRI team has been able to make it to High Point in NC,” she says. “There are few things more inspiring than seeing beautiful, high-quality products in person.”
Hershberg believes Design Edge additionally provides its exhibitors with a unique format for communicating their brand stories.
“When Design Edge approached us with an opportunity to ‘take the market to the designer’ through this new and innovative platform, we quickly determined that it was a must,” says Andy Bray, President, Vanguard Furniture. “Previously, there has been no opportunity to see the designers we don’t yet know in design communities throughout the country.”
“For the designers that already know us,” adds Bray, “Design Edge will provide another opportunity to reinforce our corporate message while showing our newest and best product collections.”
“The Design Edge approach will afford Palecek the opportunity to meet, engage and inspire the local design community to use our products in their projects,” says David Beld, President, Palecek. “We are excited to be part of this innovative industry platform.”
Participating exhibitors are listed on the website. Among the early adopters committed to showcasing within the 24,000 square foot, single-floor footprint in Boston are Arteriors, Bernhardt, Global Views, Made Goods, Palecek, Taylor King, Theodore Alexander, Wesley Hall and Vanguard.
