Universal Furniture has rolled out its agenda for the Learning Center during the upcoming October Furniture Market. These events, scheduled from Friday, October 25, through Monday, October 28, offer various sessions designed to enhance knowledge in sustainability, business management, finance and personal development. Two accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also among the offerings.
All Universal Learning Center events take place at the Universal Furniture Showroom located at 101 S. Hamilton Street, shuttle stop 15 on the Red Line. RSVP for any and all events at www.universalfurniture.com/marketevents. The RSVP links will be live September 16. A full schedule of events is listed below:
FRIDAY-MONDAY
Oct. 25-28
Universal To The Trade Designer’s Lounge
Time: Oct. 25 (noon-6 p.m.), Oct. 26-28, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Description: Relax and recharge in Universal’s 2,000 square-foot Designers Only Workspace, available to Universal Furniture To The Trade account holders. (Designers can open an account on the spot.) Sponsored by RUE magazine, Regina Andrew Detroit and Crypton. Device charging and free wifi are available. Or book a hair touch-up appointment at the Beauty Bar (Saturday, Sunday and Monday only).
FRIDAY
Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
The Psychology of Selling Luxury
Speaker: Tracee Murphy, Trade Mark Interiors
Description: CEU Accredited: New construction and interior design can be challenging undertakings, and the luxury market is a unique niche with many facets. Learn the blueprint to attracting the luxury client, the psychology of selling luxury, processes and communication, and successful installations and relationship nurturing. Measurable outcomes include understanding the nuances of the high-end design process, how to reach and attract high-end clientele, learning the key ingredients to building relationships with wealthy clients, and how to create lasting and positive relationships with your builders, architects, and clients— all through the power of psychology.
Oct. 25, 4 p.m.
Designing for Different Generations
Moderator: Amanda Edwards, Universal Furniture
Speakers: Jennifer Ward-Woods, The Sisters and Company; Barbara Elliott, The Sisters and Company; Lynne Marvin Lawson, Lawson Dream Team; Laura Outland, Lawson Dream Team.
Description: Join us in discussing the benefits of connecting with all age groups. Appreciating the uniqueness of different generations' preferences, habits, and behaviors curates design success. Panelists will discuss marketing ideas for different generations by embracing design preferences and immersing lifestyle trends that impact design needs and wants. Discover how to create designs for every generation.
SATURDAY
Oct. 26, 10 a.m.
Double Your Revenues in Half the Time (with Less Effort)
Speaker: Melissa Galt, Design Business Strategist
Description: Are you ready to double and triple your revenues in half the time? Flat fees are your fast track forward. Design Business Strategist and Coach Melissa Galt delivers the proven formulas for your design business success. You’ll learn which flat fee to deploy depending on the project and they can work for every type of project you have. Escape the trap of hourly, ditch the time lost to hourly invoicing, and eliminate the questions clients can ask. And master the key to flat fee success with precise deliverables and the number one phrase you need to avoid scope creep and client changes. You’ll get the formulas, how to sell it, and the path to watching your profits grow in less time.
Oct. 26, 2 p.m.
Elevated by Design: Build your confidence in selling luxury carpet.
Speakers: Adam Feldberg, Stanton; Geoff Siebold, Stanton; Christine Zampaglione, Stanton
Description: Join in the conversation as you learn about the latest in fiber technology advancements, performance carpeting, construction techniques and custom capabilities from the senior leadership team at Stanton. Join executives as they share invaluable information on carpet and rugs and what key attributes you should understand to sell high-end carpeting to your clients.
Oct. 26, 4 p.m.
Mastering Profitable Processes with Powerhouse Leaders in Interior Design
Moderator: LuAnn NIgara, LuAnn Nigara, Inc.
Speakers: Rick Campos, Design Biz Survival Guide; Michelle Lynne, The Interior Design Business Bakery; Katie Decker-Erickson, Success by Design
Description: Panelists will share their secrets to creating a process-driven design firm that enhances profitability and restores your invaluable time and mental space. In this transformative session, you'll learn to identify when you need processes, how to create them, and how to keep them up-to-date. Discover how streamlined processes can boost your firm's profitability while giving you back the balance and peace of mind you hold dear. Walk away with actionable strategies to elevate your design practice and reclaim your work-life harmony.
SUNDAY
Oct. 27, 10 a.m.
Fast Track Your Business Growth Without Adding Another Client
Speaker: Gail Doby, Pearl Collective
Description: Tired of chasing after the next client? These days, nothing comes easy, but design professionals are finding ways to accelerate their business growth. Based on the newly released results from the 2024 Interior Design Business Survey, leading business transformation expert Gail Doby shares the practical and often brilliant solutions other designers use to map their way through today’s business dilemmas. How are outside factors affecting your clients, your team and your bottom line? Understand how to get unstuck by navigating those changes for better business now and in the future.
Oct. 27, 2 p.m.
Scaling with Sanity
Moderator: Salimah Mamdani, Fully Booked Designer
Speakers: Lori Miller, LGC Interior Design; Juliane Mazzarella, Zuhause Interiors; Cynthia Bolton-Smith, CCS Interior Design Group
Description: Join us for an insightful discussion on how to scale your business with confidence and peace of mind. Learn best practices and key strategies to prepare your business for expansion. Hear from designers who have scaled their businesses beyond 7-figures on topics such as effective time management, team building, client communication, financial planning, and self-leadership. This event is for solo designers looking to expand or boutique firm owners looking to scale their businesses with confidence.
Oct. 27, 4 p.m.
Using Your Design Contract to Strengthen Relationships and Improve Communications
Speaker: Wendy Estela Esq., Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP
Description: CEU Accredited: Attorney Wendy Estela will provide an overview of the key provisions you need in design contracts to ensure you maintain control of your client relationships, get paid on time, protect your intellectual property, and avoid disputes and misunderstandings. She will teach the necessary basics, including clauses that will protect you in worst-case scenarios and bolster your social media presence to further grow your brand. You'll also learn how to negotiate with your client upfront, which will create a solid foundation for a healthy professional relationship.
MONDAY
Oct. 28, 10 a.m.
Bridge the Sustainability Gap
Moderator: Diane Falvey, Furniture, Lighting and Decor
Speakers: Jerri Hobdy, Meno Home Studios; Lucy Penfield, Lucy Interiors; Jules Haines, Haines Collection; Janine Wagers, Universal Furniture
Description: The sustainability conversation needs a reboot. All too often, it feels like an all-or-nothing proposition. Either you’re in the green club or you aren’t. You have a certification or you don’t. But the reality is that many businesses operate in between, contributing to the sustainability of the planet where they can. The conversation needs to have a wider audience, and a wider acceptance, of what it means to be part of the sustainability story. This discussion will help you understand what sustainability can mean for interior design and how you can start making positive changes for a greener future.
Oct. 28, 2 p.m.
From Stuck to Unstoppable: Overcoming Burnout for Service-Driven Creators
Speaker: Ginna Christensen, Resiliency Coach
Description: Ever found yourself tirelessly working, feeling stuck, and wondering why the creative spark seems elusive? The biggest block to success among Creators rarely stems from a lack of effort or talent. More often, it's an invisible force that holds them back, and that force is burnout. The result? A creativity-crushing burnout that hinders problem-solving, effective teamwork, opportunity attraction, and decision-making. In this interactive workshop, we'll tackle this challenge head-on.
Oct. 28, 4 p.m.
How to Invest Wisely in Your Business
Moderator: Kaitlin Petersen, Business of Home
Speakers: Susie Novak, Susie Novak Interiors; Christina Samatas, Park & Oak;
Renee DiSanto, Park & Oak; Beth Diana Smith, Beth Diana Smith Interior Designs;
Swati Goorha, Swati Goorha Designs
Description: Join Business of Home's Kaitlin Petersen for an engaging discussion about the best investments designers have made in their businesses. From moving into an office to hiring a creative agency for a digital refresh to outsourcing public relations, SEO and more, they'll share which moves yielded the biggest returns and how they measured the ROI. If you want to learn how to make the best use of your resources, you won't want to miss this conversation.
