I recently attended the IWCE (International Window Covering Expo) held in Las Vegas. It’s a medium size show but pales in comparison to the larger shows running in tandem – The International Builders Conference and the National Kitchen and Bath Show. Needless to say the three expos in total took up the whole convention center.
I admit I was skeptical to attend and kind of went kicking and screaming! But I haven’t been to a show in a while and really knew it was time and would ultimately benefit from seeing new things!
The show floor filled with vendors promoting everything from decorative trimmings (which are back in vogue after a slight hiatus) to start-of-the-art motorization and automation. In addition there was a myriad of sessions and workshops geared towards designers like me. I attended a great mix of classes with topics ranging from business strategy to design tips and a little in between. Some of the industry’s notable and most successful innovators presented a variety of interesting topics.
One of the best parts of the show was connecting with other designers who have similar businesses all over the country! Overall, I left the show feeling refreshed, inspired, and confident and I made a few new friends along the way! I feel really good about the lines I’ve been carrying and will be adding a few more. One of the best things about my business is that I get to select which vendors I represent and in doing so, I ask myself the same questions I would expect my clients to ask: Who are the best of the best? While there are many choices out there, my goal is to offer my clients the best within the best. While I might suggest a shutter from one vendor, I might suggest a natural woven shade from another. I take responsibility to know everything about my vendors so I am ready to offer my clients the best selections in every category available.
What happened in Vegas definitely did not stay there! I’m happy to have brought back new ideas and a fresh perspective on innovative products and breathtaking designs. I love what I do and am proud to continue to provide my clients with the most advanced products and most current designs so I can continue to create beautiful windows for them.
Now I can’t help but ask myself; when is the next show?
