|
UPCOMING EVENTS
| |
Leap Day Meet Up
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012
High Point/Greensboro
Chop House Grill
Highway 68 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Drop in after work and find us at the bar. Bring a friend. RSVP director@withit.orgHickory AreaBackstreet Bar & Grill 246 14th Ave. NE 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Drop in after work and find us in the bar. Bring a friend. RSVP Dana Helms, danahelms@microdinc.comLove at First Blush
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Wabash 2
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN
He said and then she said...but who won?
Panel discussion at ISPA Expo 2012
More information
WithIt Educational Breakfast
Lifestyle Panel
Sunday, April 22
7:30am-9:00am
IHFC Green Wing 11th Floor, Int'l Ballroom A
Moderator: Kathy Wall, The Media Matters
Panelists: syndicated writer, Elaine Markoutsas, designer and blogger, Jason Oliver Nixon, and Traditional Home senior style editor, Krissa Rossbund
More information
RSVP lchastain@imcenters.com
Competitive Intelligence/Trends Forecast
Monday, April 23
6:30pm-8:00pm
Networking * Information * Insights
New York Design Tour
May 19-21, 2012
10:00 am-6:00 pm
More information
Register at www.withit.org
WithIt Professional Conference
August 14-16
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel
|
|
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
|
Jennifer Brouwer Jennifer Brouwer Design Markham, Ontario Canada Kim Brown Mr Brown Home High Point, NC Alyssa Carney High Point University Monroe, NY Lori Dennis Lori Dennis, Inc. Los Angeles, CA Kelli Ellis Kelli Ellis Interiors Inc. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Vicki Fishman Wright of Thomasville Thomasville, NC Kathryn Garrison Florida State University New York, NY Anna Gatlin North Carolina State University Cary, NC Molly Gibson High Point University Mount Holly, NC Nicola Gillam Nicola Interiors Brampton, Ontario Canada Jennifer Golden Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale Miami, FL Kathryn Greeley Kathryn Greeley Designs Waynesville, NC Jeanne Grier Stylish Fireplaces by Huntington Lodge Thornhill, Ontario Canada Janice Hamlin Disney ABC Television Group Burbank, CA Linda Harres Harres Home Furnishings and Appliances Columbia, IL Danielle Hatfield Experience Farm Greensboro, NC Iris Houlihan Iris Interiors LLC Hillsborough, NJ Christy Landon Stanley Furniture Company Stanleytown, VA Kim Miller-Hershon DesignINSIDE Walnut Creek, CA Lynn Payne Marketing/Communications High Point, NC Kelsey Pethybridge High Point University High Point, NC Michelle Potter Meredith College Carrboro, NC Lance Robins Interiors by Cary Vogel Las Vegas, NV Jill Sadler Lounsbury Furniture Moncton, New Brunswick Canada Kimberley Seldon Kimberley Seldon Design Group Toronto, Ontario Canada Ann Skillman Rowe Furniture McLean, VA Cary Vogel Interiors by Cary Vogel Las Vegas, NV |
|
Join Our List
|  |
|
|
 MEMBERSHIP | | |
Final Days For Renewal
Don't be left out of upcoming events and discounts by not renewing your WithIt membership. The online member directory will be reset on Feb. 28, so renew today before your contact information is removed. Thank you! www.withit.org
|
NATIONAL EVENTS
| | |
Las Vegas Market
WithIt's Las Vegas Market educational event held Jan. 30 at the World Market Center Las Vegas was one of the most memorable programs of the winter show. Four female entrepreneurs who have navigated career changes with grace and determination encouraged about 100 attendees to face challenge and opportunity head on; they discussed how social media helped them to achieve success, too.
WithIt Regional Vice President Kassie Smith, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group, moderated the discussion. Here are some of the panelists' tips, quips and takeaways:
"It's hard to step outside of yourself and get the big picture about what your brand can be," said celebrity interior designer and TV host Kelli Ellis. "But take yourself out of the hour-to-hour brand...think beyond yourself. Trust your instinct. When I didn't, I failed. And if it's scary, do it--I tell my teenage daughter to do this all the time."
"Find out what you're strong at, find your niche and work it," said interior designer and sustainability expert Lori Dennis. "We're all competing so hard for recognition in print, [social media] is a chance to self-publish, self-promote and edit your brand. Step out of your comfort, share your experience and give back. And as you grow as a professional, you'll give more."
 | | Left to right: Lori Dennis, Julia Rosien, Kelli Ellis, Kiersten Hathcock and Kassie Smith. |
"You have to keep social media true to your brand," said Mod Mom Furniture owner and product designer Kiersten Hathcock. "Agile small companies have to be authentic and honest. They can own a niche on the Internet, it doesn't matter what that niche is. I have kids, and I didn't want them to have toxic furniture."
"Think of your tweets and posts as if you're inviting people into your home," said WithIt 2012 President Julia Rosien, chief idea officer, SocialNorth.com. "You're inviting them in your living room, but not in your bedroom or a child's room. And remember the stuff you post on the Internet is there forever, so don't post something that will define you in a way that you don't want to be known."
|
REGIONAL EVENTS
| |
 | | Kimberley Seldon and Donna Barlett |
WithIt at TCHFM
WithIt hosted an informative networking event during last month's The Canadian Home Furnishings Market. Interior designer Kimberly Seldon, Kimberley Seldon Design Group, was the featured guest. WithIt International Vice President Donna Bartlett, president of ViewIt Technologies Inc., shared a recap:
"Kimberley certainly captivated and engaged everyone with her wit, charm and valuable insights about the business side of the design industry," Bartlett said. "Refreshing and approachable, Kimberley was a pleasure to work with and learn from. She encouraged [attendees] to dig deep and examine how they're currently running their business, and how they can do so more effectively and efficiently.
"Thank you, Palliser, for hosting a memorable evening-and for donating the incredible chairs for our raffle," she continued. "Also, a big thanks to Bianca Kennedy of TCHFM for helping WithIt get the word out and establish our roots here in the Canadian marketplace."
|
| AWARDS | | |
WOW Awards Moves to Las Vegas
WithIt's WOW Awards ceremony is moving to Las Vegas to coincide with the January 2013 Las Vegas Market. As a result, WithIt's 2012 Educational Conference will feature new evening programming that nods to the WOW Awards' new location.
WithIt Vice President of Networking Margi Kyle, The Designing Doctor, is planning "Life is a Highway," an evening of appreciation and networking. The Aug. 15 event will feature a dinner, silent auction and play-money gambling stations.
"We're bringing new ideas to both the WOW Awards and the Educational Conference," said WithIt Executive Director Sara Lyke. "Our organization depends on membership and sponsorship each year, and the changes we're making will allow the 2012 board to keep expenses in check and grow revenue."
If you would like to serve on WithIt's WOW Awards or Educational Conference committees, or you would like to learn more about sponsorships for these events, please contact Sara at director@withit.org.
Nominations for the 2013 WOW Awards will be accepted between May 4-June 1. Visit www.withit.org for more details, as well as the nomination form, beginning on May 4.
|
REGIONAL EVENTS
| | |
GIVING BACK
High Point University Round Tables The Carolinas/Virginia region is hosting a mentoring session from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. March 14 at High Point University. WithIt members will lead discussions with students pursuing degrees in home- and furnishings-related fields. For more information, contact Sara Lyke at director@withit.org.
|
NATIONAL EVENTS
| |  ISPA Expo
WithIt wonders, are you getting what you need in the bedroom? We're co-hosting a heated debate about the secrets to happiness in bed next month during the 2012 International Sleep Products Association Expo. The panel, "Love at First Blush," will go round for round March 15 from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN, site of the 2012 ISPA event. The panelists (or should we say contenders?) are Kim Knopf, chief executive officer, Innovative Mattress Solutions; WithIt 2012 Secretary Cindy Williams, senior vice president of marketing, Comfort Solutions; Don Wright, chief marketing officer, Wright Global Graphics; and Mark Quinn, segment vice president of marketing, Leggett and Platt. WithIt 2012 President Julia Rosien, chief idea officer at SocialNorth.com, will referee the panel. "We've all heard the stats that women make the majority of buying decisions for the home," Rosien said. "But have we really listened to what 'she' wants? She says one thing, but he often says something completely different. Our panel will investigate if the bedding industry is satisfying both sides of the bed." The event will conclude with a "Kiss and Make Up" reception. The event is sponsored by Wright Global Graphics and hosted jointly by WithIt and ISPA Women's Network.
|
NATIONAL EVENTS
| | |
High Point Market Events
Join WithIt on Sunday, April 22, at 7:30 a.m. for our semi-annual High Point Market Educational Breakfast. We'll host a panel discussion that examines the ever-changing American lifestyle landscape, which is influenced by economics, pop culture and a host of shifting value perceptions.
 | | From left to right: Kathy Wall, Jason Oliver Nixon, Krissa Rossbund and Elaine Markoutsas. |
The lively panel will include syndicated writer Elaine Markoutsas, designer and blogger Jason Oliver Nixon and Traditional Home Senior Style Editor Krissa Rossbund; former WithIt President Kathy Wall, The Media Matters, Inc., will moderate. Learn what Markoutsas, Nixon and Rossbund forecast will be the next big things for 2012, and how these cultural shifts may influence your business this year and beyond.
The breakfast and seminar are free of charge, but you must register at www.withit.org, or email Leigh Chastain at lchastain@imcenters.com . The event will be held in the IHFC Green Wing, 11th Floor, International Ballroom A; it's sponsored by IHFC, The Media Matters and WithIt.
|
NATIONAL EVENT
| | |
NY Design Tour
If you love the New York design scene and enjoy the company of talented, curious and dynamic professionals, then reserve you spot for WithIt's annual NY Design Tour. And be quick--there are only 40 spots for this year's event, May 19-21.
Attendees will be able to shop the Brooklyn Flea; ride Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park; tour a designer's home; view "Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion" and dine at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; be inspired by exclusive studio tours; learn during a trend insights presentation; and more.
For more information and to reserve your spot, visit www.withit.org.
|
NATIONAL EVENTS
| |  Las Vegas Gala
You're invited to celebrate WithIt's 15th anniversary by attending the inaugural Celebrity Designer Gala, a new event that champions our organization's commitment to women in the home and furnishings industries. The event takes place Saturday, July 28, at the Parisian Palace, Las Vegas.  "We're pulling out all the stops for our inaugural Gala," said WithIt Regional Vice President and Gala Chairperson Kassie Smith, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group. "Parisian Palace is a luxurious setting for honoring WithIt and its members and supporters. This is a not-to-be-missed event that will feature wine tastings and food pairings by celebrity chefs; a champagne VIP room with casino gaming; featured celebrity designers; a silent auction; and much more."
Exclusive and affordable sponsorships are available; for additional information, contact Sara Lyke at 336.880.2188 or Kassie Smith at 702.378.2276.
|
|
Have a story idea for an upcoming e-newsletter? Submit your idea to Julie Smith Vincenti, Vice President-Media.
WithIt, Inc. PO Box 16264, High Point, NC 27261 Office: 2125 Eastchester Drive Suite 103, High Point, NC 27265 www.withit.org |
|
|
