VISION11: International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) will be held April 26-28 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This event is THE window-covering industry's annual conference and trade show that you won't want to miss! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Join Design Biz Radio for a sneak preview of the amazing speakers and content that will be presented at the upcoming Vision 11: International Window Coverings Expo. We’ll have six of the top experts in window coverings, marketing, and design business speaking about Vision 11 and their sessions.

There are two separate shows, each with a fresh lineup of speakers. The first show is Tuesday, March 22 at 11am CST with guests Deb Barrett and Steve Bursten. The second show in the series is Thursday, March 24 at 11am CST with guests Grace McNamara, Jeanelle Dech, Susan Kostelcky, and Terri Booser. Be sure to catch these shows on Design Biz Radio and then attend Vision 11 in Las Vegas from April 26-28!

Call-in Information:

When: Tuesday  at 11am CST AND Thursday at 11am
Call-in #: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 92881 (To join as a guest, Press 1#)
Listen Online: Design Biz Radio Online

Update:

To listen to the show recording for Part 1 featuring Steve Bursten & Deb Barrett, click play below:

To listen to the show recording for Part 2 featuring Grace McNamara, Jeanelle Dech, Susan Kotelecky and Terri Booser, click play below:

Or, to listen via iTunes or download to your iPod, iPad or iPhone, click here.

About the Speakers:

Deb Barrett- As an award winning designer and founder of Window Dressings, Deb Barrett has built a reputation for cutting edge couture treatments and soft furnishings. In addition to window dressings, she is an accomplished speaker, editor and author. Deb regularly speaks at industry and association events a variety of design, business and trend topics. Barrett’s regular column, TrendSpotting, appears regularly in WF Vision magazine and her new book, What Makes A Couture Treatment, launches early 2010. As a trend strategist, she travels the world to develop design intelligence and interior forecasts. As a market intelligence consultant, Deb regularly works with design industry partners, consumers and professionals to impart trend insights through presentations, white papers and products.
Nationally known, she speaks and reports across the country on a variety of design and trend topics. Much sought after as a speaker at national conferences, design events and association venues, Deb’s highly interactive programs reflect her passion for design and couture window coverings. Deb can create a custom program that is filled with a wealth of knowledge presented in her friendly, approachable style. Deb’s enthusiasm and warmth will inspire you. During her successful tenure in design, Deb has had a broad and varied background and experience that is a rare mix in the industry. Her fascination with what’s around the corner and the constant search for inspiration has led her to her current roles as consultant, speaker and design blogger. She hopes to continue to inspire other design pros and her peers by sharing her knowledge and experience about her two passions- couture window coverings and trendspotting.
You can find Deb on the web, blogging at Design Confidential and Design Business RX .

Grace McNamara – Grace McNamara has published Window Fashion VISION magazine since 1986.  VISION is the business publication for the window covering industry.  In addition, Grace produces the International Window Covering Expo, the industry’s national trade show and educational conference.   In 1990, McNamara developed the Window Fashions Certified Professionals Program™ which has become the leading CEU-accredited educational program for the window-fashions industry. In 2002, McNamara added a culinary division to the company with the purchase of American Cake Decorating magazine, the leading cake decorating magazine for enthusiasts and professionals.  McNamara is a member of the International Furnishings and Design Association and  a press member of ASID and IIDA.  In 2005, she was awarded the prestigious Trailblazer Award by IFDA.  She was also recognized by the Window Coverings Association of America with the WCAA Industry Achievement Award during the 2007 International Window Coverings EXPO. Interiors by Decorating Den awarded McNamara with its Making a Difference Award in May 2007. She was selected for because of her overall commitment to the industry—supporting, training, and motivating other business owners, many of whom are women.

Steve Bursten – In 2010, Mr. Bursten is celebrating his 50th year in the window coverings industry.  A Graduate of Missouri University and a course for small business owners at Harvard University, he is author of “Bootstrap Entrepreneur”, published by Thomas Nelson, and over 100 articles in leading trade journals on window coverings sales and management.   He is the founder of Decorating Den Interiors, co-founder of the International Window Coverings Exchange, an organization whose members retail over $200 Million, and co-founder of Exciting Windows! a national network of independent window fashions retailers representing over $30 Million sales, and co-founder of Window Coverings University with classroom and online distance learning. Learn more about Steve Bursten here:  www.ExcitingWindows.com and www.WindowCoveringsUniversity.com

Jeanelle Dech – Jeanelle Dech shares more than twenty years of entrepreneurial business experience and passion for education. She began her career with a home-based slipcover business that quickly evolved into a full-service interior design studio with an on-site workroom and eight employees, which sold in 2005. She is the founder of Adaptive Textiles™ a digital textile printing company in West Chester, PA, and serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA). She has been an instructor at the CHF Academy teaching business planning and slipcover fabrication for more than eight years, and is a popular and dynamic speaker at industry trade shows and conferences. In October 2009, Jeanelle was promoted to Director/CEO and is leading the CHF Academy through its next phase of growth. Learn more about Jeanelle Dech here: http://www.chfacademy.com/about_us.php

Susan Kostelcky - In 1995 Susan Kostelecky began SK Designs, an award winning custom window treatment design and fabricating company serving the greater Houston area. Susan has designed and fabricated hundreds of window treatments, including many featured in Houston area home tours. Susan has served as President of the Houston Area Custom Drapery Association, is a WFCP-Master, a member of WAA and often presents seminars to other workroom and design groups. Susan’s online portfolio can be viewed at www.skdesignscustom.com and skdesignscustom.blogspot.com. In 2006 Susan founded The Custom Sewing Institute, which produces weekend seminars for medium to advanced level workrooms with a focus on hands-on classes, small group networking, all-inclusive registration fees (meals, lodging, classes and class supplies) and industry leaders and talented instructors. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.csisews.com.

Terri Booser - Terri Booser has 17 years experience in the window treatment industry, encompassing design, fabrication, and installation in both retail (local)  and wholesale (national) operations. Terri established An Interior Stitch (AIS) in 1990 as a part-time home-based business to complement her additional job as Home-Dec Coordinator of So Fro Fabrics. Terri’s window treatments have been displayed at the International Window Fashions Expo, as well as being published in Window Fashions trade magazine.  Her workroom (AIS) was featured in the March 2004 issue of Window Fashions, and the March/April 2007 issue of The Custom Home Furnishings Magazine . Terri also writes articles regularly for The Custom Home Furnishings Magazine. Terri is an active member in the WCAA, the Window Coverings Association of America as well as a member in both local and regional chapters.  Terri is an instructor at the International Custom Home Furnishings Educational Conferences, and she has been the guest speaker for various WCAA and Workroom Associations.   Her classes focus and specialize on, but are not limited to, the organizational aspects of the custom workroom with her “S.O.S” approach; Streamline, Organize, Systemize.  She has just launched the marketing of  her  S.O.S. Forms for the Workroom, which can be purchased through An Interior Stitch or The Custom Home Furnishings School.  Terri is a Career Professional Instructor at the CHF Academy, , where she teaches Window Treatments 103 (Advanced Top treatments and shades) , as well as Building a Professional Image. Learn more about Terri Booser here:  http://www.chfacademy.com/instructordetails.php?iid=11