Roving Reporter

Destination Dallas—Total Home & Gift Market spotlights current trends, guest appearances

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Mother Nature surprised attendees to the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market with sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. Maybe it was that cheerful attitude that instilled the market with an upbeat vibe. Buyers did not let uncertainties regarding the economic climate dissuade them from looking for key merchandise to attract customers. Yet their optimistic attitude was paired with a cautious approach... Read More

Roving Reporter: Nick Gates at the Furniture Today Conference

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IT’S 2013, do you know where your Millennials are? At the Furniture Today Leadership Conference the sights were set on where are the Millennials, and what we are going to do with them. This was the first FT Leadership Conference I have attended, but I was immediately impressed at the caliber of minds in the room. From a retailer starting out in the business, any opportunity to talk with and learn... Read More

Roving Reporter: Lisa Kahn at the Annual WithIT Professional Conference

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The Annual WithIt Professional Conference was held in Raleigh, NC August 14-16 at the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel. It was my first time to attend, and I have to say that this was the most worthwhile conference that I have attended in YEARS! WithIt is an organization made up of professional women (and a few men) in the home furnishings industry with the purpose of: Encouraging and developing leadership... Read More

Roving Reporter: Carmine Caruso @ Las Vegas Market

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The friendly staff at the World Market Center was a gracious host for this summer Market. Although there wasn’t the usual fanfare of keynote speakers or theatrical performances, the staff made me feel welcomed from the very start of my visit. Not really anything new to report in furniture, as this is not the market for new intros, so off I went to see very vibrant color palettes from the accessory... Read More

Roving Reporter: Lori Dennis @ Dwell on Design

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The Design Camp Girls (Kelli Ellis and I) were busy bees at the Dwell on Design Show in June. I spoke on two panels: Kitchen Trends and What’s Happening in Green Interior Design. After a day of meetings, Kelli and I hit the ASID and Dwell on Design VIP parties—margaritaville!! Dwell on Design really looked like an interior designer managed the visual content this year. The aisles were larger, the... Read More

Roving Reporter: Shane Spiller, SEHFA Convention

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I have been attending the annual Southeastern Home Furnishings Association (SEHFA) Convention since I was born. So when the SEHFA Convention rolled around this June, in sunny Destin, FL, I was there. The business relationships that have been established over the years by attending this annual event are simply priceless. One of these special relationships was highlighted when my father and I were able... Read More

I Saloni, Milan

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Milan is the world’s center for design! So it is no coincidence that I Saloni is the world’s finest furniture design show and it draws people from every corner of the world. It is extremely well attended with a few hundred thousand attendees! What an interesting strain it puts on the transportation systems in the morning and early evening. But everyone enjoys it nonetheless. Because the showrooms... Read More

Roving Reporter—Carmine Caruso @ Guadalajara Furniture Expo

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This past February, I traveled to the “Furniture Expo” in Guadalajara, Mexico. It’s a small show that can be toured in just a day to a day and a half, depending on how fast you walk. Opening at 10:00 a.m. in the morning, it is much like shows here in the U.S.— registration is required but is very easy to do online. Surprisingly, you might think that one would find a lot of hand-carved and painted... Read More