If you’ve visited the website recently you know that Susan and I are taking a group of design professionals to Europe in jnauary. To our delight and surprise, friends and industry movers and shakers Jay and Mark Helser are running a contest to send one lucky designer to Paris with us! It could be you. Read on…

Opportunité Fantastique!

(Just a little French lingo to announce a spectacular opportunity for one lucky and talented design professional!)

Jay and Mark of Helser Brothers are offering a trip to the City of Lights, PARIS! As in France! The winner will join Industry Experts Deb Barrett and Susan Schultz as one of a select group of 12 at the Maison et Objet show January 19-27, 2010. The trip includes a Cruise on the Seine and a visit to the Louvre among many other delights. It is truly the trip of a lifetime. There are a few qualifications, a passport, an engaging personality, and the ability to share the journey as you blog for us through 7 days of non-stop Francophile fun. You will get to be our eyes and ears on this trip, submitting daily posts about the products you see and your ongoing adventure.See the fine print below for details on just what is included in this offer and apply today! The trip is coming fast so we need to choose a winner on November 30th. Just send an e-mail to sendmetoparis@helserbrothers.com explaining why you are the perfect person for the job, then keep an eye on whyhelser.com for the big announcement. Ooh la la! (Wow in French - start practicing!)

The Fine Print:

Paris 2010 includes:

-  7 days /7 nights, January 19 - January 27, 2010, in the City of Lights

-  Airfare to/from JFK or Chicago. (Winner is responsible for getting to JFK or Chicago.)

-  Hotel d’ Aubusson, Four-star, double-occupancy Superior room in the heart of St. Germain (Super-convenient location and we’ve stayed in this hotel and love it!) Five minute walk to the subway, direct line to the show. Walking distance of the Louvre, Orsay, Notre Dame, Sorbonne; surrounded by art galleries, restaurants and shops.

Daily Breakfast at the hotel. Value of $140.00

-  Airport transfers Value of $80.00

-  All zone metro passes/carnets for 7 days. Value of $85.00

-  Admission to Maison&Objet and Planet Mueble trade shows. Value of $78.00

-  Welcome reception at M&O from show management

-  Exclusive M&O trend presentation with Q&A opportunity Priceless!

-  As-you-wish meet-ups for cocktails or dinner to review the day, compare notes, share stories, etc.

-  Pre-travel web session(s) with Deb and Susan to preview locations, M&O planning, travel details, our Paris faves and more

-  Cruise on the river Seine. Value of $80.00

-  Free entrance to the Louvre or Orsay. Value of $26.00

-  High Tea one afternoon in the Aubusson’s Grand Salon. Value of $25.00

-  All taxes and service included.

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Join an exclusive group of design aficionados in Paris January 18-26, 2010 for Maison et Objet.  It’s a once in a lifetime chance to attend the ultimate design show! The group is limited to 12 PEOPLE ONLY, to keep the low-key, non-tour approach. Take advantage of a few extra days in Paris to get the most out of the shows as well as have enough time to really enjoy Paris.

Tour highlights:

 *7 days/7 nights in Paris

*Hotel d’ Aubusson, Four-star, double-occupancy in the heart of St. Germain

*Daily Breakfast at the hotel.

*Admission to Maison&Objet and Planet Mueble trade shows.

*Welcome reception at M&O from show management

*Exclusive M&O trend presentation with Q&A opportunity

*As-you-wish meet-ups for cocktails or dinner to review the day & compare notes

*Cruise on the river Seine. 

*Free entrance to the Louvre or Orsay.

*High Tea in the Aubusson’s Grand Salon

Get a  small taste of  the City of Lights

Download Seven Day Paris Itinerary

REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT

If you are looking for a fuller experience, don’t worry, we’ve got that covered too! Join me for the complete three city- Frankfurt, Cologne, Paris- design show tour, January 12-26, 2010. Get in touch with me for more details

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We floated the European Tour trial balloon and were really pleased with the postive response so we have decided to take the plunge and put together a small tour to Paris - the last leg of the January round of shows. You can find all the details on my Europe 2010 page. If you still have a burning desire to take in the whole thing- 3 cities, 13 days- email me. I have 3 spaces left.
As we get closer we’ll be adding some surprises. A Bientot!

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WCAA RICHMOND SEMINAR EVENT

                             Posted by Jay Helser at Why Helser.com  September 16, 2009

Tryvertising? Translucent concrete? Rapid prototyping? Deb Barrett blew the  minds of a packed house with industry insight and progressive ideas during her seminar at yesterdays WCAA event in Richmond.  Where on earth she finds the content for her presentations is beyond me. Let me put it to ya this way…. If you ever start thinking that you’ve got a good handle on approaching trends and that you are on the cutting edge of window coverings industry, attend Debs seminar, and you just might discover that you aren’t  Case in point; our clientelle is strictly “trade only” and we know that wholesale clientelle VERY well, but Deb just took us on a wild ride through the mind of todays end-use-consumer….Um…..lets just say….they are not your fathers window covering consumers! Among other things, they are far more savvy and may actually understand a thing or two about draperies. This served as a powerful reminder that even though we do not deal directly with end-users it is very important to get to know them well.

The door prizes that we brought were a hit with Jackie Von Tobels Design Directory Of Bedding recieving the loudest cheers.

It was great to see old friends and make so many new ones. Thank you WCAA!

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THE WHOLE THING- Travel 11 days and 10 nights to the 3 BIG design shows . Start in Frankfurt at Heimtextil, the granddaddy of textile fairs; travel by train to Cologne for imm Cologne Furniture fair and Cologne Design Week . Then off to Paris by train for Maison et Objet, the January Edition of Editeurs( High end textile manufacturers) and some Parisian design inspiration.

THE EDITED VERSION- Travel 6 days and 5 nights in Paris at Maison et Objet, Editeurs along with Parisian inspiration.

Both trips include airfare, ground transfers, trains, hotels and show admission.

Please take the short survey below so that I can plan the best experience. If you’re interested in joining us, email me.

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A Full Day of Education for only $50

Join us for the Vision Design and Marketing Series September 25, 2009 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence RI.

The Vision Design and Marketing Series is your expert guide to bring you a fresh perspective, original strategies, and a collection of ideas to take you and your brand to the next level. Learn why marketing is like design and how you can apply your design skills to create powerful marketing messages and stunning window fashions.

Vision Design and Marketing Series is a program for design professionals, designed and delivered by design professionals. You will mix and mingle with your peers in an environment where you can learn the best from the best.

I’ll be speaking from 10:00 - 12:00 and again from 4:00-6:00. Somfy will be unveiling their neww Expert Motorization Program from 12:00-4:00

Rhode Island Agenda

10:00- 12:00          

New Rules of Consumer Behavior: Spotting Your Competitive Advantage is more than finding out the next new color, fabric, or hot designer: It’s about observing change and understanding how to transform change into opportunity. We will present the issues and events that are influencing consumers’ purchase decisions and shopping behaviors, and, ultimately, changing the design landscape. What motivates shoppers to buy what they do and purchase where they shop? We’ll discuss key consumer and design trends, showing examples of new products and new materials.
 
Inspired By Idea Rapid Fire So how are others capitalizing on the new consumer landscape? In this Rapid Fire, we’ll examine how best practices, strategies and innovative ideas from your peers and other industries can be applied to your designs, your marketing, your sampling and your business. Inspiration, thought-provoking and fun, and it fits your natural abilities as a designer. You’ll leave with dozens of new ideas and new resources!
 

Social Media and Web 3.0 This is a Design Pro’s guide to all things social media and why you should be using these tools. From blogs, Bing and Face book to LinkedIn, websites and Twitter after this you’ll be ready for Web 3.0. Bring your phone or laptop to get connected during this meet-up.
 

12:00- 4:00  LUNCH INCLUDED

Somfy Expert Program for Motorized Interior Window Coverings:
The new Somfy Expert Program provides a brand new approach to educate specifiers of interior window coverings about motorization and takes the guess work out of choosing the best Somfy solutions for every project. Learn how to select the best motors, handheld remotes, WireFree^TM wall switches and more for your clients. 

Topics Include: 

• Introduction to motorized window coverings and their many lifestyle benefits
• Understanding Power
• Understanding Control Options
• Choosing the best motor for your project
• Up selling with Radio Technology Somfy® (RTS)
• Overcoming objections
• Maximizing the benefits of being a Somfy Expert

 4:00 - 6:00 

Cracking the Luxury Code: Designing and Marketing high end Window Fashions   so who is the luxury consumer? We all strive to work with her, but can we really identify her? First we’ll redefine the new luxury and the importance of rarity and connoisseurship.  We’ll discover the secrets to cultivating this customer; what they strive for and what it means to your market. Then, we’ll explore positioning, sourcing and crafting your image as a style maker to the elusive high end customer. Finally, we’ll finish with sampling, presentation and marketing tips to get that client’s attention.

Authentic Self Promotion There’s a lot of competition for the attention and the wallet of today’s design-conscious consumer, and let’s face it, “selling ourselves” as designers is usually not our favorite part of the job. Discover how to identify your unique place in the design

Inspiration and Technique Live on-stage sampling of actual window fashions and interior products that emulate today’s interior trends. We’ll show you dozens of examples you can photograph and examine yourself. We’ll give you the how-to instruction and techniques to translate those designs into astounding window fashions and jump-start your window fashion portfolio.
4 WFCP Credits

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I’ll be speaking at the WCAA Richmond, VA Chapter’s September event on September 15, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel. There is a full day of education and events so if you’re in the area, please join us. Here’s the agenda:

8:30-9:30       Registration, Continental Breakfast and Vendor First Look

9:30 - 11:00    Trendspotting: Four New Rules of Consumer Behavior

11:00-12:30    Couture Treatment Tricks

12:30-1:45       Lunch and Vendor Tables

1:45 - 3:30       Window Fashion Inspiration

 I’ll be giving a sneak peek of my new book during the Couture Window Tricks seminar.

 For more information, contact Sally Roselund of Holbrook Hill Interiors

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So you want to get into the window coverings niche?  Good choice! Window coverings are considered one of the profit centers of a design business and with today’s economy designers need to exhaust every niche that can make money. I will be helping to fast track designers into the window fashion niche when I present Everything You Wanted to Know about Window Fashions; but were Afraid to Ask at the Society of Decorating Professionals Conference on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.  Barrett will cover how designers can use her step-by-step plan for adding window treatments to their design business. She’ll explore how to get started, how to work with a workroom, how to recognize quality work, and how to explain all this to clients. From resources to business infrastructure and intelligence designers will be off and running. Plus, Barrett will include her signature sample showcase of fashion forward treatments.

SDP’s fourth annual conference, “Celebrate Your Style” is taking place the week of October 12, 2009 in Kansas City, MO. The four day event will give independent designers of all levels of experience the opportunity to expand and strengthen their businesses, design skills and networks and niches.

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I am traveling to the East Coast- New Jersey to be exact - on October 1, 2009 to speak for the New Jersey chapter of WCAA’s Windows to Success II. I can’t wait to see old friends and make some new ones. In the morning, I’ll be doing the International Design Report where you’ll see the hottest new looks from the world’s market. This whirlwind tour brings the latest window covering design themes to you, outlining how certain products and style references develop from one show to the next.

In the afternoon session, I’ll be doing my most popular seminar, Window Fashion Inspiration: Where Technique Meets Inspiration. I’ll be bringing samplings of actual window fashions with dozens of NEW designs and details. I’ll will briefly discuss the finer points of each treatment so you can duplicate it for your clients. Plus, I’ll have a couple of surprises just for the WCAA Chapter. These two seminars and a Vendor Showcase will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Princeton, NJ. For more information, visit www.whoscoming.com/windowstosuccess2

Questions? E mail Pam De Cuir at WCAAPam@aol.com. If you’re in the neighborhood stop by.

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