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Google Executives to Present at AHFA Marketing/PR Conference in February

Furniture World News Desk on 1/28/2025

Pictured are Josh Banfield, senior business lead at Google, and Shea Browning, an advertising executive at Google.
Pictured are Josh Banfield, senior business lead at Google, and Shea Browning, an advertising executive at Google.

 

The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) has announced that Google executives Josh Banfield and Shea Browning will be among the featured speakers at its upcoming Marketing/PR Conference. The event, scheduled for February 19–20, 2025, at The Conference Center at Guilford Technical Community College in Colfax, North Carolina, is open to marketing, public relations, and communications professionals from all sectors of the home furnishings industry.

Omnichannel Insights for Home Furnishings Marketers
Josh Banfield, senior business lead at Google, and Shea Browning, an advertising executive at Google, will share insights from search and YouTube data. Their presentation will highlight how home furnishings shoppers use digital tools for inspiration, research, and purchasing decisions.

“We will be sharing omnichannel insights for furniture, mattress, and home remodeling shoppers,” said Banfield. “We will show how shoppers are using Search and YouTube for inspiration, to conduct research, and to make purchases.”

Conference Agenda Highlights
In addition to Google’s session, the conference will feature a diverse lineup of presentations and discussions, including:

  • “Living Ahead: 2025 Consumer Insights for the Evolving Home Industry” by Jay Anna Mize, vice president of advisory + partnerships at Fashion Snoops. Mize will explore consumer trends shaping product development, marketing, and business strategies.
  • Manufacturer Spotlight: Sol Garay, president of BDI Furniture, will present “From Aisles to Interiors: Applying CPG Branding to the Home Décor World,” sharing insights from her experience growing iconic brands.
  • Ecommerce Marketing: Josh Walter, CEO of BrandJump, will present “Why We Need More Marketing in Ecommerce,” offering actionable strategies for building brands on ecommerce platforms.
  • Influencer Marketing: Atul Singh, CEO of The Shelf, will present “A Data-First Approach to Influencer Marketing,” exploring how to craft impactful influencer programs that align with brand and audience preferences.

Additional Sessions

  • Brand Health Checklist: Jenny Scholl and Kelly Dunville of Crobar Creative Leverage will provide tools to measure brand alignment with new marketing tools and strategies.
  • Panel on Brand Storytelling: Elise Gabrielson (Crypton), Doug Bassett (Vaughan-Bassett Furniture), and Angela Kim (Hearst Magazines) will discuss aligning marketing strategies with a brand’s core story.
  • AI Tools and PFAS Marketing Impact: Industry updates on AI applications and PFAS regulations will provide actionable insights for marketers.

Registration and Logistics
Registration for the two-day event is $299 for AHFA members and $599 for non-members, covering breakfast and lunch both days. The registration deadline is Friday, February 14. Attendees can secure overnight accommodations at the Marriott Springhill Suites Greensboro Airport at a group rate until the room block is filled.

 


 

About The American Home Furnishings Alliance
The American Home Furnishings Alliance, based in High Point, North Carolina, represents more than 250 leading manufacturers and distributors of indoor and outdoor residential furniture, plus over 150 suppliers to the furniture industry worldwide.