L.A. for Design Bloggers Conference / Blogfest 2013
I am off to lovely Los Angeles. The laid back vibe, the beautiful weather and sunshine are hard to resist.
Here is what my busy schedule has in store. The talents are endless. Be sure to follow along on INSTAGRAM for pics throughout my west coast adventure.
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2013
1:00PM – 8:00PM REGISTRATION SPONSORED BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS IN FOYER A
Please make sure to pick up your badge and Registration Goody Bag – compliments of Sherwin-Williams.
4:00PM – 6:00PM H.D. BUTTERCUP RECEPTION SPONSORED BY BLOGGEST AND KRAVET
Location: H.D. Buttercup, 3225 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles
Buses leaving Hilton at 3:00PM and returning at 7:00PM
H.D. Buttercup is pleased to welcome attendees of the Design Blogger’s Conference for an afternoon event in their Los Angeles showroom, with special guests Jeffrey Alan Marks and Ross Cassidy, the handsome designer duo from Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators. When you RSVP, please indicate if you will need transportation, which will be provided for attendees from the Hilton Universal City to HDB and back to the Hilton in time for the DBC kick off event…(Read more)
7:00 PM – 9:00PM WELCOME RECEPTION at the HILTON LOS ANGELES/UNIVERSAL CITY –
BALLROOM AB
Join your fellow bloggers and speakers for a get-to-know you cocktail reception.
Please wear your Design Bloggers Conference badge for admission.
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013
All conference sessions will be held in Ballroom CD
7:30AM – 5:30PM REGISTRATION SPONSORED BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS IN FOYER A
Please make sure to pick up your badge and Registration Goody Bag – compliments of Sherwin-Williams.
Badges are your admission to the conference program, breakfast, lunch and receptions.
7:30AM – 8:30AM Coffee and Pastries with Sponsors and Exhibitors in Expo Area – Ballroom A
8:30AM – 9:00AM Introductory Remarks
Adam Japko, Founder, Design Bloggers Conference
Adam Japko is the President of DesignSherpa, a revolutionary internet marketing service for the home design and remodeling industry from Network Communications, Inc., the parent company of the country’s largest group of regional home design media brands includingNew England Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, At Home in Arkansas, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, Kansas City Home & Garden, Mountain Living, St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles and more. DesignSherpa provides a turn key solution to building and managing a social media marketing program for design professionals, retailers, showrooms, and luxury home service providers. (Read more…)
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ADAM FOR DINNER? Adam and Design-Sherpa are hosting a drawing for a “Dinner with Adam and 12 Friends.” Adam will be selecting 12 lucky attendees to join him for a complimentary dinner on Monday, March 4, immediately following Monday’s reception. Here’s how to enter the drawing: Please stop by each exhibitor’s table and place your business card in the glass bowl any time before 6:45PM on Monday. We will be selecting a card from 12 random exhibitor bowls – you must be present when Adam announces the 12 lucky winners on Monday, March 4 at 7:00PM. Don’t miss this culinary delight to dine with Adam and 12 friends!
9:00AM – 9:45AM KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Interior Design Trends in 2013
Windsor Smith, founder and creator of Windsor Smith Home, Inc. and Windsor Smith Home Collection is widely known as a design industry influencer. The award winning designer known for her elegant interiors infused with a modern sensibility is frequently featured in shelter magazines and is a favorite of design bloggers. Windsor has created beautifully layered homes for leaders in the entertainment and business worlds. Reflecting her client’s personalities, she creates gracious silhouettes that are mindful of their demanding lifestyles. (Read more…)
9:45AM – 11:00AM Content-to-Commerce and The Future of Blogs
Cliff Sirlin, Co-Founder, Project Décor
Cliff Sirlin is one of the Co-Founders of Project Décor. Project Décor is the shelter category’s most advanced technology platform that allows users to discover, interact and buy products they love. Project Décor sits at the intersection of social commerce, creative design and content sharing. There are currently over 1500 Design Professionals and Influencers registered as part of Project Decor’s Style Exchange Program. Mr. Sirlin is a career entrepreneur who has founded and operates a portfolio of high growth businesses. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Sirlin has co-founded several successful enterprises including mdenergy, Aegis Fuel, Cleaner Options, Blue Ribbon Partners, Zoots Delivery, and AC Angel Fund. (Read more…)
Peter Sallick, Co-Founder Dering Hall, CEO Waterworks
Peter Sallick is a Managing Partner in Design Investors LLC. In this role, Peter blends his entrepreneurial and management success in the design industry with interests in art, fashion, and culture. Prior to founding Design Investors LLC, Peter was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for 13 years at Waterworks, the leading high-end brand for the bath. He is now back associated to Waterworks as CEO and a board member after a 3 year absence. He also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Rose Tarlow Melrose House and Twill Textiles. (Read more…)
Jason Harris, Founder & CEO, The Design Network
Jason Harris grew up in the epicenter of home furnishings: High Point, NC. A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Industrial Relations, Harris spent 18 years developing sales and marketing strategies for his family’s retail furniture business, Furnitureland South, the largest furniture store in the world. Having retailed over $2 Billion in home furnishings during that time–working with 1, 500 vendors and 25, 000 clients a year–Harris had an epiphany in early 2012 that changed his vision and purpose. (Read more…)
WANT TO BE A BLOGGER STAR? The Design Network will award $2000 cash towards the pilot production of the best blogger video series idea at the conference STARRING YOU! Tweet your idea between NOW and the party Monday evening @TDNDesignNet.
(This would apply to blogger participants only, not brands or media.)
11:00AM – 11:30AM Networking Break /Interaction With Sponsors and Exhibitors in Ballroom A
11:30AM – 12:30PM Designing Outside the Box: How to Share Your Design Aesthetic With the World
There’s never been a better time to empower yourself and create design buzz by tapping into social media. From Facebook to Pinterest, to blogs, to Instagram: what are the most effective ways to share your work and world without it overshadowing your day job?
Susanna Salk will explore unique yet accessible ideas and venues to not only introduce your work but to reinforce it, no matter the stage in your career. Whether reaching out to a magazine, publishing editor, blogger or Twitter follower, you need to create regular posts across all mediums that will not only accurately reflect your work but help you become a vibrant part of the design community.
Susanna Salk grew up in Essex, Massachusetts and got her B.A. in English at Vassar College and then moved to Manhattan where she helped launch Elle Decor as Interior Design Manager. She later became a Contributing Editor. In 2003, she joined House and Garden Magazine, where she was, until its closing, Special Projects Editor. Today, Salk appears regularly on NBC’s “Today Show” to discuss design style for the home. She is also a Contributing Editor to 1stdibs.com, and ivillage.com. (Read more…)
12:30PM – 12:45PM AWARDS PRESENTATION
Design Bloggers Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, SPONSORED BY DESIGNSHERPA and
Hosted by Tobi Fairley
Design Bloggers Scholarship Awards Presentation, SPONSORED BY LAMPS PLUS
12:45PM – 2:00PM Luncheon Break With Sponsors and Exhibitors in Ballroom AB
2:00PM – 3:00PM The Collaboration of Traditional Media and Social Media, SPONSORED BY BLOGFEST
The panel discussion features Jenny Bradley, senior design and lifestyle editor at Traditional Home and editor of the digital TRADhome magazine, Kyle Hoepner, editor in chief of New England Home magazine, and Beth Greene, executive vice president of marketing and strategic branding at Kravet. The panel will tackle timely issues such as crowdsourcing, blogger collaborations, and the new landscape of digital media and its influence over marketing strategy for national and regional magazines as well as a major industry brand. The panel will be moderated by Jennifer Powell, Kravet communications manager.
Beth Kimless Greene, Executive Vice President, Kravet
Beth Kimless Greene joined Kravet more than 20 years ago to create an in-house marketing department. Over the last few years she directed the company’s success with responsibilities for all marketing and communication efforts including advertising, digital marketing, licensing, visual marketing and special events. She has led the company to an award winning print advertising campaign for the Kravet brand and has spearheaded special projects and events such as Blogfest that tap into the emerging media arena. She continues to be the voice of the Kravet Inc. organization and works diligently to keep the branding of Kravet, Lee Jofa and now Brunschwig and Fils consistent and top of mind to all designers and their clients. (Read more…)
Jennifer Powell, Marketing Communications Manager, Kravet
Jennifer Powell is Kravet’s Communications Manager. In this role, she oversees all social media strategy and execution, writes and edits copy for marketing collateral and brand communications, and assists with editorial PR and media planning for Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. Jennifer has been part of the Kravet team for more than three years, during which time the brand has catapulted to the forefront of the industry for its social media savvy. She travels throughout the country, hosting groups of designers and guiding them to better understanding of social media marketing. She has a passion for educating designers about the benefits of social media as well as a natural curiosity and intuitive understanding of the to-the-trade home furnishings industry. (Read more…)
Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief, New England Home
Kyle Hoepner’s engagement with architecture and interiors began at age twelve, when he sketched his first notebook of house plans—a series of suburban ranch designs that would now embarrass him greatly. Presently editor-in-chief of New England Home magazine, Kyle has worked in magazine publishing for over twenty-five years, starting as a typesetter for high-end publications such as The Atlantic Monthly and later as a designer and art director for numerous business, financial, and computing titles such as Fidelity Focus, Inc. Technology, MIT Sloan Management Review, and Better Software. An invitation to join the founding team of New England Home in 2005 provided a welcome opportunity to reconnect professionally with his long-held passions for home and product design. For the past five years he has helped guide the magazine as it rapidly became the preeminent home-design title in the Northeast. (Read more…)
Jenny Bradley, Senior Design and Lifestyle Editor, Traditional Home
Jenny Bradley has contributed to Traditional Home magazine since 2000, and now serves as the magazine’s senior design and lifestyle editor—sharing with readers beautiful interiors and designs that are both classic yet modern, sophisticated yet attainable. She is also the editor of TRADhome, Traditional Home magazine’s digital spinoff that features 100% original content created for the internet-fluent generation of design lovers. In her 10-plus years in publishing, Jenny has worked as a contributor for several other design publications, including British House & Garden and Better Homes & Gardens, exploring design trends and inspiring readers to reinterpret classic design in a thoroughly modern way. (Read more…)
3:00PM – 3:30PM Networking Break /Interaction With Sponsors and Exhibitors in Ballroom A
Book Signing: Richard Auffrey will be signing his new book, Demons, Gods and Sake, from 3:00PM -7:30PM on Monday in Foyer A.
3:30PM – 4:30PM How to Differentiate Yourself In a Crowded Online Marketplace
Evan Dawson is the Managing Editor and Finger Lakes Editor of the New York Cork Report, the two-time winner of the award for Best Single-Subject Wine Blog. He writes several pieces weekly for NYCR. His day job is morning anchor of 13 WHAM News This Morning in Rochester, NY, broadcasting on the ABC affiliate (as well as the local CW channel). His on-air duties also include reporting on politics and public policy. Evan has always gravitated toward long-form writing. (Read more…)
Richard Auffrey is a life-long resident of Massachusetts, a licensed attorney, and has been involved in food and wine writing for over seven years. Beside his food, wine, saké & spirits blog, The Passionate Foodie, he also has written a food & wine column for the Stoneham Sun newspaper. In addition, he has been published in other periodicals, including the Boston Scene magazine, North End Scene magazine, and the Valley Patriot newspaper. Plus, he has been a freelance contributor to the Medford Patch and Melrose Patch. (Read more…)
Book Signing: Richard Auffrey will be signing new book, Demons, Gods and Sake from 3:00PM -7:30PM on Monday.
4:30PM – 5:30PM Show Me the Content: Blogging on Design with Originality, Excellence and Ethics
As communicating through the internet continues to grow, some bloggers disappear while new ones emerge. Is it time to reexamine our goals? What are we really communicating about ourselves and our industry? While there are plenty of great blogs , some have become critics with no background to support their words, some ‘scan and send’ with no content, no originality . This could never happen in print media.
Charlotte Moss is an icon of Southern warmth – hospitality, practicality and, of course, luxury. Since opening her business in 1985, Charlotte has designed private residences and executive suites all over the United States and the Caribbean. In addition to designing interiors, Charlotte Moss’ career has included retail stores, celebrated for Charlotte’s unique blend of American, European and Classical influences. Having launched her career on Wall Street, Charlotte has a keen sense for the shifting sands of change, amid all her decorating prowess. Widening her reach in recent years, Charlotte Moss, LLC now brings her signature Flair for Living to consumers worldwide with collections available under license. (Read more…)
5:30PM – 7:30PM Networking & Cocktails and Interaction With Sponsors and Exhibitors
Expo Area in Ballroom AB
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013
8:30AM – 9:30AM KEYNOTE ADDRESS, SPONSORED BY BLOGFEST
Around Beauty
Barbara will talk about beauty, her inspirations, influences on her work, and crafting her new book.
Barbara Barry is among the world’s most prominent and talented designers. Her name stands for a unique blend of sophistication and livability; her designs are classic, timeless and fluid. Hers is a look that speaks to the grace of form and simplicity of line. Her designs range from elegant interiors to an extensive portfolio of home furnishings. Praise from her peers and the press has earned Barbara Barry a distinctive place in design. Her honors include Interior Design “Hall of Fame, ” Architectural Digest list of “World’s 100 Best Designers, ” House Beautiful “Giants of Design, ” and “Designer of the Year” from Elle Décor International Design. (Read more…)
9:30AM – 11:00AM Showcasing Creative Products and Services Through Social Media
Leslie Carothers (known on Twitter as @tkpleslie) is the founder and CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership , an 11 year old international social media agency for furniture and interior design brands. Leslie has over 31 years of experience in the furniture and design industry and spent the first 20 years of her career as an interior designer. Some of her past social media clients have included Cargill Corporation’s BioH Polyols division, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, World Market Center Las Vegas, The New Traditionalists, Better Homes and Gardens magazine and current clients include the corporate headquarters of The Curtain Exchange – a national luxury window treatment franchise and Olioboard –a fast growing global social commerce site with 2D and 3D visualization tools. (Read more…)
Andy Appelbaum, Co-Founder, Project Décor
Mr. Appelbaum is a career entrepreneur who has founded a portfolio of high growth businesses in industries ranging from Design to dry cleaning. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Appelbaum co-founded several successful enterprises including Project Décor, Seamless Web, mdenergy, Cleaner Options, Blue Ribbon Partners, Zoots Delivery and AC Angel Fund. Mr. Appelbaum is a co-founder of Project Décor. Project Décor is a creative, social design platform where users discover, interact with and ultimately buy products they love. (Read more…)
As the host and creative force behind The House Counselor on HGTVRemodels.com, Laurie March is known for her approach to remodeling, which focuses on managing both the emotional and the tactical parts of a project. A third generation remodeler, Laurie’s own passion for home improvement and remodeling was unearthed while remodeling her own 1920’s Spanish style home. In 2005 Laurie founded Improvemental, a project management and design firm that has become a recognized fixture in the Los Angeles remodeling scene – completing over 50 homes for a highly discerning who’s who of writers, producers, and executives in LA. (Read more…)
11:00AM – 11:30AM Networking Break /Interaction With Sponsors and Exhibitors in Ballroom A
Book Signing: Barbara Barry will sign her new book Around Beauty from 11AM – 1PM in Foyer A.
11:30AM – 12:30PM Case Study: Using Social Media and Content to Transform Your Life and Business
Bill Pryor is the founder of Spynergy and the Director of Spynergy Consulting. Over the past 7 years, Bill Pryor and his partner and sister have successfully launched and operated a family of unique indoor cycling studios — and also helped others launch theirs. These are small businesses that are fun….and profitable. Here is a place for studio starters, and studio owners, to learn, to share and to connect. In addition to running their own studios, Spynergy Consulting provides business planning, start-up, operational and marketing services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. (Read more…)
Free Spins in Boston and Chicago! Bill is offering free spin classes for attendees from Boston and Chicago in a drawing during Bill’s presentation.
Jennifer is an interior designer in New York, with a career that started in London and then Portugal, and takes great pleasure in sharing her passion for Art & Design through her blog “Dec-a-Porter”. Since she moved to NY, and through the use of Social Media Jennifer has been included as one of the coveted Style Spotters for High Point Market, part of Brizo Fashion Week, a Curator for the Joss & Main flash in 2012. She also was featured on the Nate Berkus Show, HGTV.com, on the New England Home Magazine blog, and most recently she was included as part of BlogTour London. (Read more…)
Amy’s passion for design prompted her to launch her design blog, House of Wentworth, in 2010. Through her blog and social media engagement came features on other blogs such as Layla Grace Backroom Blog and Nest Design Studio, as well as a feature in the 2ndedition of Baby Lifestyles e-magazine. The online Houzz community also voted Amy’s work Best of Houzz in 2012.
Through her desire to design product came Amy’s latest collaboration with Plexi-Craft of New York. 2013 brings the launch of several of her acrylic chair designs for Plexi-Craft. In her downtime, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, Robb, and daughter Pearson. (Read more…)
Take a Chair Home! One lucky attendee will be taking home one of Amy’s acrylic chair designs for Plexi-Craft in a drawing during Amy’s presentation.
12:30PM – 1:30PM Gourmet Lunch/Interaction With Sponsors – SPONSORED BY MASTERBRAND CABINETS
1:30PM – 2:00PM Mentoring and Transformational Careers in Design PLUS Special Entertainment Surprise
Patti Austin and Dawn Carroll of the Over My Shoulder Foundation
Grammy winner Patti Austin crosses all musical genres, has made 17 solo albums, and has performed her award-nominated hit songs on the GRAMMYS® and the Oscars. As a performer, songwriter and vocalist she has had a star-studded career that began at the age of four, making her one of the most beloved artists the world over and a mainstay on the Billboard Jazz Albums charts. Patti’s extraordinary career continues to cross over boundaries and reach new heights.
Patti has had a life-long interest in design. Patti Austin is currently being mentored by Boston’s prestigious design community as she realizes one of her dreams of becoming an interior designer. Patti attributes much of her musical success to her mentors, most notably the close guidance of her godparents Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington. Because of how important mentoring has been to Patti throughout her life, she co-founded the Over My Shoulder Foundation. (Read more…)
Dawn Carroll has dedicated a large part of the past 4 years to starting the Over My Shoulder Foundation (OMSF) and promoting the idea of Mentorology – the art and science of mentoring. In fact, her passion for Designing the Next Generation has driven Dawn to draw on all her resources to create the dynamic media-driven non-profit organization that exists to further the concept and application of mentoring. Dawn has carved out OMSF’s niche in the mentoring world while managing an award worthy design career at CUMAR Marble & Granite, which is currently in its 8th generation of leadership in stone sourcing and fabrication in Everett, MA. Dawn writes, “What do you see that I can be” when considering the similarities of an empty room and an individual who needs a mentor in her article about “Designing the Next Generation”. (Read more…)
2:00PM – 3:00PM KEYNOTE ADDRESS, SPONSORED BY BLOGFEST
Print + Digital x Video = LivePaper
Magazines and blogs have taken similar paths in their respective evolutions. The primacy of the written word was quickly superseded by photography. Now text and photography must be complemented by compelling, integrated video across all media channels.
Newell Turner is the editor in chief of the Hearst Design Group, where he is responsible for the collective editorial direction and content development for ELLE DECOR, House Beautiful, and VERANDA. In 2012, he implemented a new approach to magazine publishing in which each of the three magazines produces content with its own core team, as well as with enhanced shared departments, including photography, market, and features copy. Previously, Newell was the editor in chief of House Beautiful magazine. He has reported on interior design, architecture, product design and the lifestyles of upscale consumers throughout his career in publishing. In January 2006, he joined the staff of House Beautiful as style director, moving into the editor in chief role in 2010. (Read more…)
Beautiful in Black & White CHAIR CHASE – TAKE ONE OF 19 CHAIRS HOME!
Follow: @HouseBeautiful & #HBChairs on Twitter for Clues
Find: The Chairs on the Streets of LA
Win: The Chair in our Seating Showdown
3:00PM – 4:00PM How to Build Your Business Through Inbound Marketing
Adam Japko, Founder, Design Bloggers Conference
Adam Japko is the President of DesignSherpa, a revolutionary internet marketing service for the home design and remodeling industry from Network Communications, Inc., the parent company of the country’s largest group of regional home design media brands includingNew England Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, At Home in Arkansas, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, Kansas City Home & Garden, Mountain Living, St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles and more. DesignSherpa provides a turn key solution to building and managing a social media marketing program for design professionals, retailers, showrooms, and luxury home service providers. (Read more…)
4:00PM – 4:30PM Critical Takeaways from Design Bloggers Conference 2013 and Special Announcement for 2014
5:00PM – 8:00 PM Official Design Bloggers Conference After Party
Sponsored by Traditional Home, Blogfest and Harbinger
After the conference wraps on Tuesday, make your way to West Hollywoodfor the third annual Design Bloggers Conference after party at one of LA’s chicest design destinations, Harbinger at752 North La Cienega Blvd.Raise a glass with your fellow bloggers and rub elbows with top design talent, magazine editors, and LA elites at this can’t-miss event.
Wednesday, March 6th
10:00AM – 1:00PM Kravet Furniture from the Ground Up
All interior designers and bloggers are invited to the Kravet showroom at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Our master upholsterer will construct a Pelham chair from frame to fabric right in our showroom. During this interactive demonstration you will learn and see first-hand all of the quality features that go into each piece of Kravet furniture. At the end of the demonstration one lucky attendee will win the chair!
Location: Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Avenue, Suite B624, Kravet Showroom
Sponsored by: KRAVET
1:00PM House Beautiful Chair Giveaway Kick Off Event
Join House Beautiful Editor in Chief Newell Turner on the steps of the PDC (along with some exciting special guests!) as he unveils the very first of many chairs to be given away on Wednesday throughout Los Angeles. This annual social media-driven event is a design lover’s dream scavenger hunt: follow @HouseBeautiful on Twitter for drop locations, and the first to arrive gets to take home the chair!
Location: Pacific Design Center, Lobby Level
Sponsored by: HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
Ohhh….and the sponsors are amazing. I am excited to be attending a Fabricut dinner at Wood and Vine, a Hollywood hotspot.
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