by HIGH POINT – Universal Furniture has rolled out its agenda for the Learning Center during the upcoming October Furniture Market. These events, scheduled from Friday, October 24 through Monday, October 27, offer various sessions designed to enhance knowledge in business management, community building, technology and client relationships.
All Universal Learning Center events take place at the Universal Furniture Showroom located at 101 S. Hamilton Street, shuttle stop 15 on the Red Line. RSVP for any and all events at www.universalfurniture.com/marketevents. The RSVP links will be live Sept. 17. A full schedule of events is listed below:
FRIDAY-MONDAY
October 24
Universal To The Trade Designer’s Lounge
Time: Oct. 24 (noon-5 p.m.), Oct. 25-27, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Description: Relax and recharge in Universal’s 2,000 square-foot Designers Only Workspace, available to Universal Furniture To The Trade account holders. (Designers can open an account on the spot.) Sponsored by RUE magazine, Regina Andrew Detroit, Valdese Weavers and Moore & Giles. Device charging and free wifi are available.
FRIDAY
October 24, 2 p.m.
Speed Coaching: Break Through Your Biggest Business Block
Speaker: Traci Connell, The Gloss
Description: Feeling stuck on a pricing dilemma, client conflict, workflow snag, or growth decision? In this rapid-fire coaching experience, Traci Connell will help you find your “aha” moment. Join one of two dynamic 30-minute group sessions, each designed for designers to bring one specific business challenge to the table. Traci will dive in with clear, actionable strategies drawn from her proven systems and real-world experience running a high-end, profitable design firm. Walk away with a fresh perspective, a plan you can implement immediately, and the momentum to move forward with confidence.
October 24, 4 p.m.
AI Shortcuts to Reclaim Your Time & Creativity
Speakers: Salimah Mamdani, Fully Booked Designer
Description: As a solo interior designer, your time is your most valuable asset. Yet too much of it gets drained by admin, marketing, and content creation. This session shows you how to use AI as your behind-the-scenes assistant so you can reclaim hours in your week. You’ll learn practical frameworks to help you decide where AI fits into your business. Walk away with tools, templates, and strategies that feel like a natural extension of how you already work.
SATURDAY
October 25, 10 a.m.
Design on Your Terms: 5 Secrets to Scaling Without Burnout
Speaker: Melissa Galt, Design Business Coach and Strategist
Description: Scaling your interior design business doesn’t have to mean longer hours, constant stress, or sacrificing your personal life. In this powerful session, led by design business coach Melissa Galt, you’ll uncover five game-changing secrets that allow you to grow your practice your way, with clarity, ease, and intention. Whether you’re solo or leading a boutique team, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to scale sustainably so you can serve bigger clients, make more profit, and still have a life you love.
October 25, 2 p.m.
The Future of Design Sourcing
Speakers: Kelli Lamb, Rue Magazine; Peter & Alex Spalding, Daniel House Club
Description: RUE invites you to an exclusive conversation with Editorial Director Kelli Lamb and Peter and Alex Spalding, co-founders of Daniel House Club, the platform redefining how interior designers source, shop, and scale. This dynamic discussion will explore a smarter, more streamlined way for designers to access everything they need—from furniture and finishes to project management features and community support. Whether you manage an established firm or you’re just starting out, you’ll gain insights into how technology is simplifying the sourcing process while expanding creative possibilities.
October 25, 4 p.m.
Community Over Competition: Designing Without Fear
Speakers: Antonio DeLoatch, Antonio DeLoatch Designs; Nicole Roe, R. Nickson Interiors
Description: This session is an open call to find your people and design boldly, featuring Antonio DeLoatch and Nicole Roe. Together, we’ll share honest stories, tips on how to stay connected after market, dismantle isolation, and choose connection over doubt. Walk away knowing that true community makes every big idea possible.
SUNDAY
October 26, 10 a.m.
The Psychology of Interior Design
Speaker: Tracee Murphy, The Designer Launch
Description: Join The Design Biz Therapist Tracee Murphy of The Designer Launch for this course to explore the intersection of psychology and interior design, providing a deep understanding of how human behavior, emotions, and decision-making influence your interior design business. Designers will learn how psychological principles can enhance sales, marketing, leadership, and client relationships in the interior design industry. Topics include the impact of color on mood and perception, effective conflict management strategies, selling luxury, navigating money conversations with clients, and using psychological insights to build trust and rapport. By the end of the course, designers will have a comprehensive toolkit for running their business in a way that supports well-being, productivity, and positive client experiences.
October 26, 2 p.m.
How to Build a Healthy & Consistent Pipeline
Speakers: Gail Doby, Pearl Collective
Description: If you’ve experienced the common roller-coaster of feast and famine in your design business, then join Gail Doby, ASID, Co-Founder of Pearl Collective, for actionable strategies to stop the pipeline madness. Discover the best source of new business that doesn’t require adding a new client. Find out how to spend less and get better results with your marketing. Create a fast action plan that you can start implementing immediately
October 26, 4 p.m.
Natural Luxury: Designing for Wellness, Sustainability & Your Thriving Design Business
Speakers: Susan Hayward, Hayward Design House; Jillian Hayward Schaible, Hayward Design House; Kathryn Hunt, Kathryn Hunt Studio; Kristi Hopper, Kristi Hopper Designs
Description: Biophilic design isn’t just about bringing nature indoors—it’s a powerful tool for creating elevated, wellness-focused spaces that resonate with luxury clients. As demand grows for environments that support health, beauty, and emotional well-being, designers have a unique opportunity to lead—and to grow their design businesses in the process. This panel explores how to transform nature-inspired design into a refined, high-end offering that attracts discerning clients and distinguishes your work. From sourcing premium materials to clearly communicating wellness benefits, we’ll share real strategies for using biophilic design to add value, win trust, and build a more future-focused business.
MONDAY
October 27, 10 a.m.
How to work with a Contractor who sees your vision
Speakers: Debbe Daley, Debbe Daley Designs; Chris Meeken, Black Tie Group USA
Description: Join designer Debbe Daley and contractor Chris Meeken as they share the challenges of aligning design intent with construction execution. Learn five actionable takeaways and practical tips for finding and vetting the right contractor, communicating effectively through visuals and scope documents, and leveraging tools like mood boards, renderings, and project management apps to stay on the same page. Discover how mutual respect and collaboration turn a good contractor into a trusted creative partner.
October 27, 2 p.m.
Beyond the Boxes: Where Kitchen & Bath Design Profits Really Come From
Speaker: Sharon Sherman, Thyme & Place Design
Description: Most designers focus on design fees while missing the real money maker: strategic material procurement. This interactive workshop with Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, reveals the procurement strategies that transformed her practice into a seven-figure design firm. You’ll learn how to develop profitable budgets for cabinets, countertops, appliances, and tile while building strategic vendor relationships that create mutual success. This working session invites you to bring a kitchen or bath project to review together, applying Sharon’s proven formulas to your real-world situation. You’ll leave with procurement systems you can implement immediately, strategic partnerships that support long-term growth, and the confidence to position yourself as a project leader who controls both design and profitability.
October 27, 4 p.m.
Photography and Styling: The make or break of your publishing future
Speakers: Ashley Hotham Cox, stylist; Heather Ison, photographer; Jane Dagmi, HPXD, moderator
Description: Professional Photography is the linchpin to getting your work published. And the aid of a knowledgeable stylist can take your images from good to irresistible. Join Ashley Hotham Cox, professional stylist and former editor at Charlotte Home Design & Decor and Traditional Home, and professional interiors photographer Heather Ison as they talk with Jane Dagmi, executive director of HPxD, to discuss the details that make the difference. How do you find a good photographer? How much will a photo shoot cost? What should I budget for the stylist? Who owns the images and why? Join us to have these and many other questions answered.
