Dallas— One of the main missions of Interiors by Decorating Den (IDD) is to not only ensure its members are trained and educated to create a beautiful living environment for their clients but that everyone gives back by getting involved in charitable events. This was clearly evident at the van franchisor’s 34th annual conference at the Fairmont Hotel here. With 420 people in attendance the buying group held a week-long event which included everything from the traditional educational seminars and supplier market to a fundraising project for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation that caught the city’s attention. “This was one of our most successful and productive conferences so far,” said James Bugg Jr., IDD’s president and CEO. “The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive from all who attended.”

The event got started with a three-day pre-conference for franchise owner/decorators who registered for IDD’s Lifestyle University courses. These classes teach participants everything from helping their customers create a beautiful home to successfully operating their own businesses. Things were officially kicked off with the franchisor’s big charitable event—the formation of a Human Awareness Ribbon which blocked off an entire city block. Wearing pink shirts and hats donated by windows covering manufacturer Hunter Douglas, more than 300 decorators, spouses and vendors formed a human ribbon as a symbol of their commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Sponsors from the U.S. and Canada donated $20 for each foot of pink fabric that formed the ribbon. The event raised over $35,000 as 1,750 feet of ribbon was used. Along with IDD members and suppliers, Cindy Schneible, vice president of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Krissy Barker, cause-related marketing sponsorships coordinator for the foundation, also participated in forming the ribbon. “We knew our decorators would give this fundraising project their fullest effort, and we are thrilled with what they accomplished,” Bugg noted. He added the company plans to break a Guinness World Record for the largest awareness ribbon at the franchisor’s 35th annual conference scheduled for next May in Atlanta.

Since last year’s conference in Orlando, IDD has raised more than $100,000 for the two breast cancer foundations as part of the buying group’s Decorating for a Difference fundraising program. “We are so proud that our franchise partners have raised so much money for these two worthy groups. As a predominantly female-owned franchise organization, breast cancer is a cause to which we feel quite a powerful connection.” As for the conference, members learned about the latest trends in the interior decorating industry as well as various business skills. Workshops were offered in everything from floor coverings, residential lighting and juvenile furniture to time management, marketing and public relations.

In addition to the educational offerings, more than 50 of IDD’s preferred suppliers were on hand to showcase their latest products and services to the mem bers as part of the Design Center vendor market. Among this year’s participants were a number of flooring manufacturers, including the group’s newest supplier, Mohawk Industries. “The owner and supplier participation was outstanding throughout the meeting,” Bugg concluded. “Overall, it made for one of our best events ever.”