Great businesses don’t grow by chance; they grow through intentional financial planning. In this interactive master class, Michele Williams will guide you through a practical framework for building a financially healthy business. Learn how to analyze past performance, establish meaningful financial goals, model multiple business scenarios and create the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that drive smarter decisions throughout the year. Whether you’re planning growth, increasing profitability or strengthening cash flow, you’ll leave with a clear road map and actionable tools to confidently lead your business with data instead of guesswork.

When sales slow, many businesses instinctively increase their marketing spend. But sustainable growth isn’t always found by spending more; it’s often discovered by maximizing the opportunities already within your business. Join business growth strategist Madeleine MacRae for this fast-paced, interactive session as she reveals seven proven strategies to increase revenue without increasing your advertising budget. You’ll learn how to identify untapped opportunities, strengthen customer relationships, generate more referrals and create consistent growth using the assets, systems and people you already have. Whether you’re looking to boost sales, improve profitability or build a more resilient business, you’ll leave with practical ideas you can implement immediately.

Our industry is built on craftsmanship, creativity and relationships—but the future demands innovation, adaptability and new ways of thinking. Join an accomplished panel of industry leaders for a dynamic discussion on how today’s businesses can embrace change while preserving the artistry and values that define custom window treatments. Explore the impact of emerging technologies, evolving customer expectations, workforce development and strategic partnerships on the future of our industry. Together, we’ll examine how to balance handcrafted excellence with smarter business practices, identify which innovations are worth embracing and discuss ways to inspire the next generation of designers, makers, installers and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a designer, an artisan workroom owner, a fabricator, a supplier, an installer, an educator or a business leader, you’ll leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas and renewed confidence to help your business thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

The window covering industry is entering a decade of unprecedented transformation. The future will be shaped not only by new products and design trends, but by global influences, emerging technologies, changing consumer expectations and evolving business models. This forward-looking seminar explores the forces expected to redefine how window coverings are designed, specified, manufactured, sold and experienced through 2035. From artificial intelligence, smart homes, wellness and sustainability to luxury lifestyles and personalization, attendees will gain insight into the innovations reshaping every stage of the customer journey, from inspiration and specification to fabrication, installation and long-term ownership. Discover the trends that matter most and the strategic actions your business can begin taking today to remain competitive and thrive in the decade ahead.

Today’s homeowners don’t just use social media to browse; they use it to discover businesses, research products, compare providers and decide who they trust before ever reaching out. For window covering professionals, a strong digital presence is essential for attracting qualified leads and standing out in a competitive market. In this practical session, Creekmore Marketing will demonstrate how to combine social media, AI, video, customer reviews and paid promotion to create a marketing strategy that builds credibility and drives business growth. Learn how to create authentic content that showcases your expertise, streamlines content creation with AI and keeps your business visible throughout the customer journey. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to increase engagement, generate more inquiries and turn online connections into lasting customer relationships.

Motorization has quickly evolved from a luxury upgrade to an expected feature in today’s window treatment projects. Whether you’re new to automation or looking to strengthen your product knowledge, this session will provide a practical foundation for understanding today’s motorization solutions. Join industry expert John MacKenzie as he demystifies motor types, power options, control systems and smart home integration while exploring the latest innovations shaping the future of the industry. More importantly, you’ll learn how to communicate the value of motorization in simple, client-friendly terms that build confidence, overcome objections and increase sales. Leave with the knowledge and strategies to position motorization as an essential solution for convenience, comfort, safety and modern living.

Beautiful custom soft treatments begin with thoughtful planning, clear communication and a solid understanding of fabrication. Whether you’re new to soft treatments or looking to refine your process, this session will provide the practical knowledge needed to move confidently from concept to installation. Join Vita Vygovska as she demystifies the design, specification and ordering process while sharing best practices for collaborating with clients, designers and workrooms. You’ll also learn how to avoid common mistakes that lead to delays, rework and costly errors. Walk away with the confidence to specify custom soft treatments that are both beautiful and functional while delivering a seamless experience for every client.

Drapery hardware is far more than a finishing touch; it’s the foundation for how a treatment looks, functions and performs over time. In this practical session, Linda Tully will explore the critical decisions that separate beautiful, high-performing installations from costly mistakes. Learn how fullness, pleat style, hardware selection and track systems work together to influence both aesthetics and functionality. You’ll gain a clear understanding of when to specify decorative rods, traversing systems, ringless tracks, concealed hardware and architectural ceiling-mounted tracks while discovering how thoughtful hardware selection enhances the client experience. Leave with the confidence to specify hardware early in the design process, ensuring every treatment is as functional as it is beautiful.

Today’s homeowners are searching for far more than “blinds near me.” They are comparing styles, researching solutions, reading reviews, watching videos and evaluating which companies they can trust in their homes. This session explores how to create SEO-driven content that supports customers throughout the research and decision-making process while preparing your business for the continued evolution of AI-powered search. Attendees will learn how to strengthen product, service and location pages; create content around high-intent customer questions; and turn everyday business activities such as consultations, installations and FAQs into valuable marketing assets. The session will also cover practical ways to use before-and-after content, video, testimonials and comparisons to improve visibility, engagement and lead quality.

Every business challenge is ultimately a human challenge. Behind every customer decision, team dynamic and business relationship is one powerful force: human behavior. The businesses that thrive don’t simply have better products, smarter strategies or the latest technology—they understand people. Through the lens of psychology and emotional intelligence, this keynote explores how understanding what drives people to think, react, connect and make decisions can become one of your greatest competitive advantages. Discover how greater self-awareness and human insight can help you communicate more effectively, build trust faster, strengthen teams, deepen customer relationships and lead with greater influence. Because in business, understanding people isn’t just a soft skill—it’s an advantage.

Selling doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable. The most successful sales professionals don’t rely on pressure or persuasion; they build trust, solve problems and help customers make confident decisions. In this interactive, workshop-style session, sales expert Madeleine MacRae challenges common misconceptions about selling and introduces a relationship-driven approach that feels authentic while delivering stronger results. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to communicate value beyond price, confidently present premium products and upgrades, respond effectively to common objections and guide customers toward informed purchasing decisions. Leave with proven language, practical strategies and renewed confidence to increase sales while strengthening lasting customer relationships.

Wellness has become one of the most influential forces shaping residential and commercial design, influencing everything from lighting and air quality to acoustics, sustainability and occupant well-being. Yet one of the most powerful wellness solutions in any space is often overlooked: the window treatment. In this thought-provoking session, Deb Barrett explores how today’s window treatments contribute far beyond aesthetics by supporting healthier, more comfortable and higher-performing environments. Discover how thoughtful specification can improve sleep, productivity, daylight management, glare control, thermal comfort, acoustic performance, energy efficiency, biophilic design and aging-in-place. You’ll also learn how to reposition window treatments as an essential component of wellness-focused interiors, helping clients understand their lasting value while creating spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial.

Luxury interiors are not defined by expensive furnishings alone; they are shaped by the intentional use of color to create emotion, depth and timeless appeal. Join nationally recognized interior designer Elle Cole as she explores how today’s leading designers use color to enhance architecture, influence mood and elevate the client experience. Discover how to develop sophisticated, layered palettes that work harmoniously with natural light, architectural details and material selections while avoiding short-lived trends. Whether designing a new luxury home or refreshing an existing space, you’ll gain practical strategies for creating interiors that feel refined, personalized and enduring, delivering greater value for both your clients and your business.

Commercial shading projects can open the door to larger contracts, recurring business and long-term growth, but success requires understanding a very different sales and project management process. This session provides a practical introduction to the commercial market, guiding attendees through every stage of the project life cycle, from identifying opportunities and preparing competitive bids to estimating, quoting and winning contracts. You’ll also gain insight into what happens after the award, including product submittals, project coordination, billing and closeout. Whether you’re exploring commercial work for the first time or looking to expand your business, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of the process, potential challenges and strategies for delivering successful commercial projects.

Difficult conversations are inevitable. The chaos that often comes with them doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re dealing with a challenging employee, frustrated client, strained partnership or uncomfortable conversation you’ve been putting off, how you handle conflict can either erode trust or strengthen it. This interactive session explores what happens when emotions run high, why people become defensive or shut down, and how to keep difficult conversations from becoming destructive ones. Learn practical strategies to manage tension, reduce defensiveness, communicate with greater clarity and address problems directly—without damaging important relationships. Attendees will walk away better equipped to turn conflict into an opportunity for stronger relationships, greater accountability and better business outcomes.

Profit doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. The Profit First® system transforms the way businesses manage cash by prioritizing profit before expenses, creating healthier cash flow and long-term financial stability. In this practical, hands-on session, Michele Williams, a Profit First Certified Professional since 2015, will guide attendees through the core principles of the Profit First methodology and how to implement it within their own businesses. Learn how to establish the right bank accounts, allocate income with confidence, manage cash more effectively and build a sustainable financial rhythm that supports growth, taxes and future investments. Whether you’re new to Profit First or ready to put the system into practice, you’ll leave with actionable tools to improve your company’s financial health.

Custom drapery is far more than privacy, light control or the finishing touch to a room—it’s art. It creates warmth, shapes emotion, defines style and transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. Yet drapery is too often undervalued, leaving designers and sales professionals struggling to communicate its true worth and justify its investment. In this inspiring session, Linda Tully explores why custom drapery deserves recognition alongside furniture, lighting and fine art as an essential element of interior design. Through compelling design examples and practical selling strategies, attendees will learn how to communicate the artistic and emotional value of custom window treatments, confidently discuss pricing and create beautiful solutions that balance exceptional design with a client’s budget. When we elevate the conversation around drapery, we elevate the value of our entire industry.

Motorized window coverings continue to evolve at a rapid pace, bringing new opportunities for designers, retailers and installers to deliver smarter, more connected solutions. This session explores the latest innovations across leading manufacturers, including advancements in automation, smart home integration, energy efficiency, power options, user interfaces and product design. Attendees will compare emerging technologies, discover how new features enhance both performance and the customer experience, and gain insight into the trends shaping the future of motorization. Whether you’re expanding your product knowledge or preparing for what’s next, you’ll leave with practical insights to confidently recommend future-ready solutions and stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.