F/T Leadership Conference to examine power of image
By Fran Marshall -- Furniture Today, November 11, 2002
High Point — Industry leaders and brand-name designers will headline the 2002 Furniture/Today Leadership Conference Dec. 4-6 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla.
Under the theme "The Power of Image," this year's event will focus on maximizing an image, including what works, what doesn't and how to change consumer perceptions.
"The industry is in the middle of a major paradigm shift with respect to distribution, changes at retail and licensing products," said Ray Allegrezza, editor-in-chief of Furniture/Today. "At the conference, we will be discussing these and other critical issues."
The conference will begin Wednesday, Dec. 4, with a tour of retailer Robb & Stucky's Naples, Fla., store.
Leading off the presentations on Thursday will be designer and Emmy award-winning TV host Christopher Lowell, with a talk titled, "The Image That Attracts." He will be followed by a panel of celebrity designers, including Kathy Ireland, Chris Madden, Alexander Julian and Dick Idol, who will discuss the value of licensing.
Later, a consumer panel will describe their shopping and purchasing experiences, as well as their perceptions of the furniture industry.
Also on Wednesday, manufacturing veterans John D. Bassett III, Don Mecke and John Wampler will share their strategies for success in a global market.
Keynote speaker and consultant Ira Blumenthal will further examine the consumer's perception of the industry and what the industry can do to change that perception. He will give a second presentation on Friday, Dec. 6, on how brands can resolve image issues.
A retailer panel discussion on Thursday will feature Pedro Capo of El Dorado, Miami; Lance Hanish of Robb & Stucky, Fort Myers, Fla.; and Jake Jabs, American Furniture Warehouse, Englewood, Colo., who will offer insights into what has contributed to their successes. Wrapping up the conference will be retailer Art Van Elslander of Art Van Furniture, Warren, Mich., discussing "The Image of Success."
At a Thursday night gala, Furniture/Today will honor Mickey Holliman, Furniture Brands International, as Manufacturer of the Year, and Jeff and Morty Seaman, Rooms To Go, Seffner, Fla., as Retailer of the Year.
"When I look at the agenda and at the names of our speakers and panelists, this conference strikes me as a 'must-attend' event," said Allegrezza.
To register for the conference or for more information, visit the Furniture/Today Web site at www.furnituretoday.com or contact Kathy Humble at khumble@reedbusiness.com.
