Denver—Hunter Douglas’ first International Alliance Conference hosted over 3,000 of the company’s aligned dealers, including those in the flooring segment, at the Colorado Convention Center here.
Cristina Uria of Carlos Interiors in Crofton, Md., said the diverse group gathered at the convention made it a great networking opportunity to share business problems and solutions with other professionals in the industry. “There was a very large group from all areas of the business, so the exchange of ideas and strategies was great.”
Filling the 92,000-square-foot exhibit hall was a number of Hunter Douglas products—including many fall launches—and learning venues. One significant new product, Pirouette window shading, and a number of marketing, merchandising and educational programs stood out at the meeting.
Mark Munjone of
Abbey Carpet of Largo said this was the best industry convention he had ever attended because Hunter Douglas knows where it’s going in the future and shared that with attendees. “The company did its homework. It allowed us to see its products and share its [marketing and sales] ideas first hand.”
Uria noted the conference was not only successful but “fantastic because Hunter Douglas focuses on growing individual members’ businesses. Hunter Douglas tries to help dealers by improving our business through training, speakers, education, etc., not just increasing sales.”
Marv Hopkins, president and CEO of Hunter Douglas, noted the exhibition was an industry first. “Never before has Hunter Douglas or any other window covering company brought together such a large and extraordinary gathering of retail dealer talent to learn and grow together.”
The keynote speaker, Gen. Colin Powell, also shared some insight with the group touching on leadership and his vision for tomorrow. Other speakers included business guru Daniel Burrus, who discussed how retailers can prepare for realistic trends and not passing fads; design expert Michelle Lamb, senior editor of The Trend Curve newsletter, explained how fashion and home influence each other and highlighted upcoming color trends, and George Whalen, president and CEO of Retail Management Consultants, spoke about the future of retail and how dealers can keep their businesses ahead of the norm and better serve their customers.
Munjone left the event excited about his future with Hunter Douglas, as did several attendees. “I would definitely attend this convention again. It’s a great opportunity to get training and information away from daily tasks—it gives you focus.”
For more information on Hunter Douglas and its products, call 800.274.298.
