Universal Furniture Releases Agenda of Learning Center Events for October Furniture Market
Furniture World News Desk on
9/18/2024
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.
About Universal
Retailers and interior designers around the world trust Universal Furniture’s award-winning, smart and stylish
designs to create modern, well-appointed living spaces for the whole home. The company’s casegood, upholstery,
accent and outdoor designs are developed under the brand names Universal Furniture, Miranda Kerr Home and Coastal
Living.
Universal Furniture, founded in 1968 and based in High Point, N.C., is the recipient of 14 Pinnacle awards for design
excellence from the International Society of Furniture Designers. It is a brand of Samson Holdings, one of the
world’s largest vertically integrated furniture manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.universalfurniture.com, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and
Pinterest @UniversalFurn.