The DecoZone: An Agenda

If you’re planning on making the trip to Atlanta to check out the 7th annual DecoZone conference, chances are you probably want to know what’s going to happen when while you’re there!

To help you out, we’ve got an agenda so that you can plan accordingly and ensure that you are able to see all that you want to see.

On Saturday we’ll be putting on the optional pre-conference Learning Intensives. These classes are offered before the start of DecoZone and allow you to dive a little deeper into topics of your choosing. There is an individual fee per class. Learning Intensives will start at 9:00 a.m. and run until 7:30 p.m. on July 16.

Sunday, July 17, starts the first day of the DecoZone conference. Running from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., there will be tons going on!

Previews & Pastries: Morning Networking

8: 30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Grab your breakfast & coffee, check out your swag bag, and network with the Stars and Sponsors to see the latest & greatest in the industry.

Welcome by Sandra Racz and Carol Bass

9:00 a.m. – 9: 10 a.m.

Coming Attractions: Trends to Wow Your Clients

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Sandra Racz will be your upfront and personal guide to the latest trends in the Decorating World. You will be the trend-star when you bring the latest and greatest to your clients. Take these Top Ten Trends to a house near you.

Powder Your Nose & Meet the Sponsors

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Have time to refresh yourself and your business as you learn first hand from the sponsors what you can do to build your business.

Hurray for Hollywood – Celebrity Chip Wade!

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 You’ve seen him on TV, now see him LIVE. Chip Wade of Elbow Room, Ellen’s Design Challenge, Curb Appeal and Designed To Sell to name a few. He’ll be at DecoZone to share the real nuts and bolts of creating beautiful spaces. Get ready for your close up and your photo op with Chip.

Craft Services – Lunch and Photo Ops

12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

Time to linger, laugh, and learn ways to improve yourself and your business.  We have some of the best sponsors in the industry who want to help you do that.

Better than Oscar, The D.S.A. (Distinguished Style Award) – Winners Announced

12:50 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Time to showcase the winners. The categories include:

• Best Interior Redesign/ One Day Decorating Transformation-  Use of Clients’ furnishings. Can include retail purchases and paint.

• Best Occupied Home Staging Transformation

• Best Vacant Home Staging Transformation

• Best Color Transformation

Matinee Double Feature: DecoZen: Feng shui 

1:20 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

It’s time to get your DecoZen on. Totally confused? Margaret Innis will take the mystery out of Feng shui in the Fast and Furious presentation. She will break down this influential approach to refresh your spaces and bring success your staging and living. You will head home and immediately implement at least three of her techniques.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ever wish your photos truly showed your work in its best light?  With tips & tricks from Alisa Ligrani you’ll discover a way to feature your clients’ homes in their best light.

Intermission: Visit the Concession Stand and Sponsors

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Take a minute to grab a snack and visit the sponsors tables to learn how to sweeten your business.

Set Design with Sherwin Williams: Your Color Backdrop

2:50 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.

Learn the latest trends for your “SET” design from Ruthie Minick. Want the perfect backdrop? Sherwin Williams will help us set the stage with their new color palette, wallpaper designs and the latest trends. This may be your first exposure to the new Sherwin Williams color deck.

Building a Celebrity Status: Marketing YOU

3:50 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

Each industry has it’s own version of an Oscar. Whether it is a statue, a medal or a buckle earned from a job well done, the bottom line is building a celebrity status. This increased awareness of you and your business will lead to increased revenue. If you are struggling with your current marketing efforts or looking for something new and outside of the box, this workshop is for you. Learn how to market to homeowners and not only partner with agents, but get them to market you to their clients. Learn how to use Redfin to give your business a huge advantage. Created and Presented by Shell Brodnax, CEO of the Real Estate Staging Association, (RESA) and motivational speaker.

The Future Looks Bright – “Pay It Forward” Recognition

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Learn about the exciting things happening in October.  You and your business will benefit from this Generosity in Giving.

While the day ends at 5:00 p.m., you are encouraged to linger longer connecting with professionals, see the Special Deals from the Sponsors, and find a few friends to go to dinner. The Mart is open until 6:00 p.m. for shopping.

Monday, July 18, is the last day of the DecoZone conference and it will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. AmericasMart is open until 8:00 p.m. that night if you want to check things out after the conference ends!

Continental Breakfast and Visit the Sponsors

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Arrive early for this short day of gaining the most for your business. The Sponsors will be on-hand to help you learn ways to improve your business and offer additional services.

Where Are They Now? Trading Spaces with Laurie Smith

 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Behind the scenes of a career in early HGTV. Learn a bit about Laurie Smith’s past, but more importantly what she’s doing NOW!

Tag, You Won! Drawings from the Sponsors’ Swag

9:50 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more from the sponsors. They want to help you build your business in a profitable way.

The Sequel: Kirby Holt in “Award Winning Florals”

10:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

You asked for it, you got it – The Kirby Holt Sequel! Watch Master Floral Designer, Kirby Holt, creates show stopping floral designs before your very eyes. He will demonstrate how to create “talked about” arrangement with permanent florals and foliage for your special events, decorating and stagings. With only using only 2-3 stems he will demo how you can design and create amazing arrangements that can be disassembled for another creation. If you caught the other crowd-pleasing demos you know that not only will you be inspired you will learn the tricks of the trade and industry secrets. Don’t forget your camera!

It’s a Wrap: Announcements from The-DSA

12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Exit Videos: Opportunity to Use All You’ve Learned on The Set

12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Your opportunity to record a quick video to promote your business and expertise. Use all you have learned in the amazing set of The DecoZone and AmericasMart. Bring your iPhone or iPad to record on your device.