Every sales conversation eventually hits a pause: “Let me think about it. “I need to talk to my spouse.” and “That’s more than I expected.” Left unaddressed, those words stall momentum, and stall sales. In this supersession, sales strategist Kathy Pace shares the exact language and frameworks to move through client hesitation with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn how to shift the conversation without pressure, using practical, ready-to-personalize responses for the hesitations you hear every week. But this isn’t just about “what to say.” Kathy will also show you how to create an environment of trust that lowers defenses and helps clients feel safe, respected, and ready to decide. You’ll leave equipped with both: the words to use in the moment and the client-centered framework that keeps conversations open and moving forward. To convert sales consistently, you need to know what to say and how to create clients who are ready to hear it.

Hiring team members is one thing. Building, leading and empowering a management team that drives results without you in the room is another. One of the least-discussed but most critical factors in scaling a business is leadership duplication, expanding not only your own capacity to lead but also your ability to identify, hire and maximize leaders around you. In this dynamic session, growth strategist Madeleine MacRae will show you how to duplicate yourself in leadership, creating managers who embody your culture, elevate performance and free you to focus on growth. You’ll discover:

- The 120% Rule — and the hidden costs of delaying management hires. How to transmit culture and standards even when you’re not there.

- The 4 dimensions of leadership — and which one determines long-term success.

- You’ll walk away with practical tools you can apply immediately to strengthen your leadership bench, magnetize top talent, and scale your business with confidence.

Fresh from the world’s leading design shows, trend expert Deb Barrett takes you inside the future of window coverings. From silhouettes and palettes to textiles, patterns, and materials, Deb will reveal the key design directions shaping 2026 and beyond. In this visually rich session, you’ll get an exclusive look into Deb’s “little black book” of insider sources and market finds, complete with imagery and samples you can bring directly into your client conversations. You’ll leave with the clarity to spot which trends have staying power, how to translate them into profitable design decisions, and the confidence to position yourself as the go-to expert for forward-looking clients.

If your social media feels like guesswork, you’re not alone. The difference between posts that vanish into the void and posts that drive real business comes down to having a plan. In this hands-on session, digital strategist Kaitlyn Sloan will show you how to build a content calendar that works with your sales cycle — so every post has a purpose. Whether your goal is more showroom visits, qualified leads, or 5-star reviews, you’ll learn how to create content that connects and converts. Perfect for solopreneurs and growing teams, this session will leave you with a repeatable framework, practical tools, and the confidence to plan like a pro.

Motorization is rapidly becoming the standard for modern window treatments, but with so many options, it can be hard to know where to begin. In this session, industry expert John MacKenzie will give you a clear, practical overview of motorization: the different power sources, motor types, and control systems you need to understand. You’ll also get a look at how automation and smart-home technology are shaping the future of the industry. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to translate these features into client-friendly language and sales strategies, helping you position motorization as an upgrade that’s easy to explain, easy to sell, and impossible for clients to resist.

Your email list is more than just names, it’s one of the most powerful tools you have for turning one-time buyers into lifelong customers. When used strategically, email marketing builds trust, drives repeat business, and generates referrals without feeling spammy or salesy. In this session, Katie Creekmore will walk you through a proven email marketing framework: from automated welcome sequences and review requests to seasonal promos and newsletters that clients actually want to open. You’ll also learn how to connect your email strategy with your website, social media, and content marketing for maximum impact. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up, this playbook will help you use email to stay top-of-mind, increase referrals, and keep clients coming back.

For years, beige has been the “safe” choice in design—but safe can easily slip into stale. In this inspiring session, Elle Cole will show you how to move beyond neutral fatigue and embrace color as a tool for sophistication, storytelling, and connection. Through the lens of window treatments, textiles, and furnishings, you’ll explore how today’s most refined interiors layer hues with intention, from grounding earth tones to statement-making palettes. You’ll learn how to balance color psychology, client personality, and architectural context to create interiors that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Equally important, you’ll gain strategies for presenting bold color choices in a way that builds trust, reduces hesitation, and positions you as a confident design authority.

The most successful interiors don’t happen in isolation, they’re the result of strong collaboration between designers and workrooms. But even the best partnerships can be tested when communication falters, expectations aren’t aligned, or trust is missing. In this dynamic panel, seasoned professionals from both sides of the table share real-world experiences of what makes collaborations flourish and what can derail them. From setting clear boundaries and timelines to translating design intent into fabrication reality, you’ll learn practical strategies to strengthen your partnerships, streamline your process, and protect your time. Whether you’re a designer seeking smoother installs or a workroom wanting to grow your business with the right clients, this session will give you clarity, confidence, and actionable tools to build partnerships that last.

In today’s noisy marketplace, it’s easier than ever for your message to get lost in the crowd. So how do you stand out, not just to attract attention, but to win the kind of business that values your expertise and pays premium prices for premium products and services? In this session, Madeleine MacRae will introduce you to a fresh way of identifying and communicating what makes your business truly unique. You’ll be challenged to rethink your “competitive edge” and learn how to weave it into your sales and marketing strategies for greater impact. Whether you’re trying to break through in a crowded market or elevate your positioning with existing clients, sharpening your edge is the key to sustainable growth. Together, we’ll explore five critical considerations to help you define (or refine) your uniqueness and turn it into a practical, powerful advantage in your local market.

Step inside the world of breathtaking interiors with renowned designer Eric Ross, where window treatments are never an afterthought—they’re the star of the show. For over 25 years, Eric has transformed rooms into timeless works of art, weaving together elegance, drama, and warmth. From European pleated side panels to elaborate swags and jabots, each design is crafted to inspire awe while standing the test of time.
In this keynote, Eric will reveal how a single statement fabric, whether a bold print or a rich woven, can set the tone for an entire room. He’ll share how he layers color, texture, and scale to create interiors that dazzle while maintaining comfort and durability. Through his trademark storytelling style, you’ll hear real client tales, quirky requests, design challenges, and the inspired solutions that brought unforgettable spaces to life. You’ll leave inspired to see window treatments not just as a finishing detail, but as the foundation of a room’s design narrative, with the tools and mindset to reimagine what’s possible for every window you touch.

Behind every flawless installation is a system, built on precision, problem-solving, and professionalism. In this comprehensive session, industry veteran Roger Magalhães shares the hard-earned lessons that only decades in the field can teach. From shutters and soft treatments to the latest in motorization, Roger breaks down 101 practical insights that will help you avoid costly mistakes, work more efficiently, and deliver results that impress both clients and colleagues. You’ll walk away with proven techniques for tackling tough windows, choosing the right tools for the job, and handling on-site curveballs with confidence. More than just technical know-how, this session also covers the professional etiquette that turns installers into trusted partners and industry leaders. Perfect for installers, designers, and business owners who refuse to settle for “good enough,” this is your playbook for flawless installations—and a flawless reputation.

A well-designed life begins with a well-designed home, one that nurtures health, happiness, and balance. Window coverings are a surprisingly powerful part of that equation. From regulating light and temperature to improving safety, circadian rhythms, and even air quality, they play a vital role in creating environments that support wellness. In this session, trend and design expert Deb Barrett explores how the growing wellness movement intersects with window coverings and home design. You’ll discover how to evaluate products and solutions through the lens of health, comfort, and sustainability and walk away with a roadmap to build your own curated wellness-focused collection. Whether you design, fabricate, or sell, this session will help you position yourself at the forefront of the wellness and healthy home market.

An income statement is more than a report of gross and net profit, it’s a powerful tool for smarter business decisions! In this session, you’ll learn how to uncover deeper insights by analyzing an income statement through three different lenses: functional classification, horizontal vs. vertical analysis, and fixed vs. variable costs. By reframing the way you read financials, you’ll gain clarity on what drives your business performance and how to make more informed, strategic choices.

Thinking about expanding into the commercial market? This session provides a practical overview of commercial shading projects and what it takes to succeed. From understanding project types and finding bid opportunities to estimating, quoting, and winning jobs, you’ll gain clarity on the process from start to finish. We’ll also cover post-award essentials, including product submittals, billing, and project management, so you know what to expect once you land the contract. Whether you’re testing the waters or ready to grow into commercial work, this session will help you evaluate opportunities and build confidence.

Great design doesn’t just captivate the eye, it should also strengthen your bottom line! As designers, your first mission is to craft beautiful, meaningful spaces for your clients. But your second mission is just as important: ensuring every project is financially rewarding. In this insightful seminar, celebrated interior designer Eric Ross shares proven strategies to make your projects as profitable as they are stunning. You’ll learn how to confidently handle client objections, build healthy profit margins without compromising style, and identify hidden opportunities to increase revenue on every project. Packed with real-world examples and actionable takeaways, this session will empower you to design boldly, sell strategically, and maximize the value of your work, for your clients and your business.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just hype, it’s one of the most practical tools for saving time, staying consistent, and generating measurable returns! In this seminar, you’ll discover how to integrate AI into your everyday marketing workflow, from writing social posts and blogs to optimizing SEO, responding to reviews, and managing ad performance. You’ll leave with plug-and-play tools, templates, and step-by-step strategies, no tech degree required.

Is your workroom bursting at the seams? Whether you’re moving out of a home garage or upgrading into a larger commercial space, the decision to scale comes with both opportunities and challenges. This session will guide you through evaluating potential spaces, planning for growth, and setting up your workroom for efficiency and profitability. Drawing from years of experience managing workrooms across multiple states and locations, Linda Tully will share practical strategies to help you make smart choices, reduce stress, and create a space that supports your business growth for years to come.

Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business and mastering it is the key to long-term financial stability and growth. In this seminar, Michele Williams will demystify the essentials of cash flow management, from tracking and forecasting to optimizing receivables and payables. You’ll discover practical tools, proven strategies, and real-world best practices to help you stay liquid, weather uncertainty, and fund growth with confidence. Whether you’re struggling with unpredictable revenue streams or simply want to take tighter control of your finances, this session will give you the clarity and tactics you need to strengthen your bottom line.