Suites at Market Square

The Designer's PR Playbook: Strategic Programs, Using AI, Landing Press

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Many interior designers know they need PR—but misconceptions about how it actually works often hold firms back from using it strategically. In this seminar, we’ll break down what an impactful PR program really looks like, from meaningful press coverage to leadership positioning in your market. We’ll also explore how designers can leverage AI tools to support their own PR efforts—often a valuable early step as firms build momentum before partnering with an agency. Come prepared with questions as we discuss practical strategies and real-world examples to help you turn PR into one of the most powerful drivers of brand awareness for your business.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Allison Hay

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The Healing Home: A Conversation about Biophilic Design + Book Signing

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Join therapist-turned interior designer Anita Yokota as she explores how biophilic design shapes the way we feel at home. Drawing from biophilic design, neuroscience, and her Home Therapy methodology, Yokota will share how these principles influence the nervous system. She'll dive into how light, natural materials, thoughtful spatial planning, and nature-inspired elements work together to reduce cognitive load and create restorative environments. Using real-world examples from her new book Grounded Living, attendees will leave with practical, design-forward strategies they can apply directly to their client projects immediately. Following the talk, attendees are invited to stay for a book signing.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Anita Yokota

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More Than a Pretty Setup: The Reality of Editorial Photography and Styling

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Great design doesn’t end at installation—capturing it through photography requires a different kind of expertise. Join Traditional Home Style & Design Editor Krissa Rossbund for a candid panel on building the right styling team and the often-overlooked difference between designers and stylists. Industry leaders will share behind-the-scenes insights from editorial shoots, explain how styling elevates interiors, and discuss when each role matters. You’ll leave with a sharper eye and a new perspective on how interiors are styled to truly stand out.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Krissa Rossbund, Anne Hulcher Tollett, Barclay Butera, Denise McGaha

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Sips and Treats at the Suites

Social The Suites Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)

Enjoy small bites and light refreshments while sourcing the Suites.

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Inside The Suites with Rasheeda Gray

Educational Meet in the Suites Lounge - Top Floor Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Join Rasheeda Gray, founder of Gray Space Interiors, for a curated walk through the Suites at Market Square as she shares the standout products and vendors catching her eye this season. Known for balancing creativity with strategy, Rasheeda will spotlight the pieces that deliver maximum style and sourcing potential.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Rasheeda Gray

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Lighting in the Digital Era

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Phones, tablets, movies, music, and more have converted to digital experiences we can control with a touch or a swipe, but lighting at home lags behind. What is holding us back from embracing digital lighting technologies that promise easier control, more beauty, and perhaps even healthier outcomes? Why should we consider upgrading to more advanced technologies, and what are our options? Join us for a deep dive into digital lighting and discover ways to improve control, reduce material consumption, deliver more beautiful projects, and help homeowners live healthy lives with better light.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: David Warfel

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Designing for Impact: Procuring Materials that Shape a Sustainable Future

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

The Sustainable Furnishings Council will lead a conversation on how material choices in furnishings and interiors directly influence both human and environmental health. We’ll explore practical strategies for reducing toxins and selecting more climate‑friendly materials, highlighting what designers should pay attention to when shopping the market.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Jerri Hobdy, Rico Ruffino, Angie Kenny

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Sips and Treats at the Suites

Social The Suites Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)

Enjoy small bites and light refreshments while sourcing the Suites.

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The Power of Hardwood: Craft, Performance & Purpose in Modern Design

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Domestic hardwood sits at the intersection of beauty, performance, and sustainability. In this High Point Market panel, industry leaders will discuss how hardwood supports structural integrity, design flexibility, and a compelling environmental story — all while delivering timeless appeal. Learning Objectives: Leave inspired to rethink how and when you specify hardwood — and equipped to make it a defining element of your next project.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Jerri Hobdy, Justin Binnix, Scott Coley, Jeremy Kamiya

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The Hardwood Design Experience: A Curated High Point Tour

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

Join Brennah Hutchison, Hardwood Industry Liaison & Content Director, Real American Hardwood® and Tom Inman, President of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc., for a guided visit to Century, Gat Creek, and Simply Amish to explore how hardwood is specified, crafted, and brought to life in today’s interiors. Attendees will gain insight into material selection, construction techniques, sustainability considerations, and emerging design trends — all through the lens of U.S. hardwood.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Brennah Hutchison, Tom Inman

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Find Your Lane: How to Define, Refine, and Monetize Your Design Niche

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

In a crowded creative landscape, clarity is your competitive edge. This panel explores how designers can identify what truly sets them apart by aligning personal taste, strengths, and market demand then refine that focus into a distinct, marketable niche. Learn practical strategies to position your work, attract the right clients, and confidently turn your unique perspective into a sustainable design specialty.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Nicole Kasak, Lina Galvao, Autumn Pochiro, Cheryl Stauffer, Brad Ramsey

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AI Is Your Secret Weapon If You Are Willing to Rethink Your Role

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 14 (Green Line)

AI is not replacing designers, but it is changing how designers work. The real risk is not the technology itself; it is standing still while others move faster and smarter. This panel explores how AI is reshaping daily workflows, client communication, content creation, and decision-making. From saving time to strengthening strategy, we will discuss where AI creates real advantage and where human judgment matters most. The future will favor designers who evolve their role instead of defending it.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Pamela McNally, Jennifer Davis, Sarah Brohm, Garrison Hullinger

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Sips and Treats at the Suites

Social The Suites Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)

Enjoy small bites and light refreshments while sourcing the Suites.

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Design Smarter With ALA Experts: Showroom Backed Tips That Deliver Results - A Panel Discussion

Educational Suites Seminar Room, T-1022 Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 4 (Green Line)

Discover the insider strategies that top lighting professionals use to turn showroom visits into unforgettable client experiences. In this panel discussion, ALA experts reveal the “showroom secrets” that help designers choose the right products, solve tricky lighting challenges, and create spaces clients instantly fall in love with. You’ll walk away with practical design moves and fresh inspiration for elevating every project.

CEU Hours: 1

Speakers: Matt Rowan

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Sips and Treats at the Suites

Social The Suites Neighborhood: Market Square and Elm Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)

Enjoy small bites and light refreshments while sourcing the Suites.

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