Mary Leigh Howell 2011 WithIt President

Just Do It

WithIt members,

It is with great honor that I serve as WithIt president for 2011.  This organization has meant volumes to me on a personal and professional level since I joined in 1998, and I hope it provides the same for each of you.

Our goal this year is one of renewal - renewal of memberships, renewal of meaning and renewal of connections between members, former members and prospects.  Sometimes as members, we fail to recognize the value of connections. And sometimes as an organization, we don't communicate our value well enough.  We are not AARP or AAA and never plan to be.  Providing value to our members doesn't come in the form of car rental discounts or health insurance.  It is something much more valuable and intangible - building relationships with colleagues and industry leaders, learning a new skill to navigate the corporate ladder or mentoring a student, to name a few.

I challenge you to renew your connections with WithIt this year.  Call a colleague who hasn't renewed their membership.  Introduce yourself to a member you've always wanted to meet. Ask a board member how you can become more involved in the organization.  In the words of the famous sneaker commercial, "Just do it."

Executive Committee

Chairman-Board of Governors: Liz O'Brien, Carter Furniture, Star Intl & Ekornes

Chairman: Stephanie Lowder, Rare Bird Creative

President: Mary Leigh Howell, RLF Communications, Inc.

Vice President/Pres. Elect: Julia Rosien, SocialNorth.com

Vice President: Debbie Beers, Furniture Brands Int'l, Inc.

Treasurer: Kira Staggers, Smith Leonard PLLC

VPs/Committee Chairs           

Marketing: Amanda Williams, Wray Ward

Media: Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media LLC

Mentoring: Lorri Kelley, Palliser Furniture

Education: Cathy Smith, De Leo Textiles

Membership: Cindy Williams, Info Retail

Scholarship: Violette Forman, Havertys Furniture

VPs at Large           

Maufacturing: Beverly Kastel, Ekornes, Inc.

Millenial Outreach: Amy Voelker, FurnitureDealer.net

Supplier/Design: Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors, Inc.

Retail: Shelley Parlin, PROFITSystems, Inc.

VPs Regional           

Virginias/Carolinas: Trisha Kemerly, WhipSmart Creative

Chicago/Midwest: Joan Franken, Concepts & Designs

International: Donna Barlett, ViewIt Technologies, Inc.

Dallas/Southwest: Cameron Cook, Four Hands

Florida: Alexia Rouquette, Twin Star International 

Metro/Northeast: Jana Platina Phipps, Home Couture Collective

LasVegas/West: Kassie Smith, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group  

For more information, go to www.withit.org. 

Kelly Peterson Hearst Magazines

Kelly Peterson who joined the Hearst Corporation 2001 will lead WithIt's 2011 kickoff webinar:
 

11 for 11: Brand and Marketing Trends for 2011

Kelly is Group Advertising Director for Hearst Communications over the Southeast and recently helped launch Food Network Magazine. 

Kelly asks you to join in the conversation and learn what Brand Key, an authority in customer loyalty, says the 11 trends will be that will help determine your marketing/branding success or failure in 2011.

As author Ursula Le Guin wrote: "Legends of predications are common throughout the whole household of man.  Gods speak, spirits speak, and computers speak."  Who did she leave out?  The Consumer.  Consumers speak too..volumes if you listen to them.   

Come fine tune how.  Feb. 10, 2011, 2:30 EST time.  Register at withit.org. Free to members - non members $35.00

WithIt invites Las Vegas Market attendees to celebrate the talents of pioneering women who have shaped the design scene of Las Vegas since the 1980s.

Monday, Jan 24, 3-4pm
World Market Center Las Vegas

Building B World Forum, 16th floor 

RSVP to Kassie Smith 

 Margot Silverman of Yates-Silverman Inc.; Leslie Parraguirre of Colours Inc. and  Jacqueline Thornton, Jacqueline & Associates are panelists in "Las Vegas Design Divas," a discussion to be held 3-4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, in Building B of the World Market Center Las Vegas, World Forum.

"The changes and start of our boom in the building and hotel/hospitality industry brought some true design talent on the scene to Las Vegas," said WithIt Vice President Las Vegas/West Region Kassie Smith, President of Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group. "These ladies have worked with some of the biggest private names in the casino industry, created the first builder "model homes" or helped in the construction of some of the most famous homes in Las Vegas. Bringing them together to listen to their stories will be an enlightening experience on the changes in Las Vegas design and unique stories of famous clients extravagant tastes desires for their homes."

The event is open to Las Vegas Market attendees. For more information visit www.withit.org or www.LasVegasMarket.com.

Phillips Collection Mixer

Monday, Jan 24

4:30-6:30pm

World Market Center A202

Student Mentoring

Wednesday, Jan 26, 10-11:30am
World Market Center Las Vegas
 Building C, 3rd Floor
RSVP to Lorri Kelley
 

WithIt members should make plans to come and attend this session and be available for question and answers. It will be a great opportunity for students and young women to network learn about the furniture industry and potential career paths.

Margi Kyle, Designer at the Designing Doctor, LLC will be the key note speaker and she will share her experiences in interior design and how she accelerated her career through color.

 
 

For over 40 years, this remarkable, captivating woman has built an astounding portfolio from the ever-important 'Designer's perspective'. Never idle, this New York School of Interior Design graduate has contributed to this industry as an Interior Designer, Television Host, Mentor, Keynote Speaker, Educator, and Writer. Margi's credentials include Professional level of ASID, IDS, WCAA, WFCP, DCI- along with being VP for WCAA and on the executive board for IDS. Margi has received her Master in Interior Design and is The Executive Director for We Make Color Easy- The Dewey Color System.

 

Agenda:

10:00-10:15 am   Meet and greet with Students

10:15-10:30 am   WithIt Introduction

10:30-10:45 am   Introduce Margie Kyle

10:45-11:15 am   Color presentation and test by Margi Kyle

11:15-11:30 am   Q&A Session

 

Smith Center for the

Performing Arts 

Wednesday, Jan 26

2-4 pm

LVWMC Transportation Terminal  

Ever wonder what is being constructed across the street from World Market Center Las Vegas? From it's very beginning, The Smith Center was envisioned as a world-class performing arts center. Guests will enjoy a tour of the Design Gallery for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which includes tours of architectural models, including a full-scale mock-up of one of the boxes inside the main theater. 
 

RSVP to events@lasvegasmarket.com. Space is limited. CEU available

WithIt Professional Conference

August 23-25  

Raleigh, NC

Mailing/Shipping address:

PO Box 35362
Greensboro, NC 27425

A big THANK YOU to Aspenhome for our wonderful office furniture!