If you didn’t happen to be one of the hundreds of designers that made their way to the launch of ELEVATE, a new innovative forum introduced by Décor Mentor, at 220 Elm at High Point Market, then I hate to say it, but you missed one heck of an event and an unbelievable opportunity to network with some amazing design professionals!
ELEVATE, a concept conceived by Décor Mentor founder, Lisa Ferguson, was an educational and interactive installation that allowed design pros to post their business cards and take cards left by others in an exchange of expertise, encouragement and inspiration. Eleven Décor Mentors were on hand at the launch, all dressed in fabulous Tangerine Tango (pantone’s color of the year) and sporting necklaces generously provided by: Layla Grace, Max and Chloe, The Loaded Trunk and Nina Nguyen. The mentors, who had been generating contagious enthusiasm for the ELEVATE wall all day, answered guests questions and guided them through the process of finding and offering mentor services. They also signed guests up for ELEVATE online, which the Décor Mentors are thrilled to be launching soon.
The Decor Mentors: (clockwise from L to R) Beth Dotolo, Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Elaine Williamson, Lisa Ferguson, Jennifer Brouwer, Kati Curtis, Carolina Gentry and Lisa Kahn
By the end of the launch, the ELEVATE wall was covered with business cards and design professionals were mingling, meeting and establishing new connections with others in the industry that they can develop to help them grow their businesses. Custom ELEVATE iPad & iPod skins were given to ten lucky designers and three others received a 6 month membership to the cloud operated project management website Connexion Software – each worth $500! In addition, finalists for the grand prize, a new website from The Old State, valued at $15,000, were drawn each day at market. Finalists for the grand prize are: Kristen Rivoli, Stacy Naquin, Jennifer Meditash, Jennifer Stoner and Donna Viking. Congrats to Jennifer for the big win
All in all, it was an hugely successful event that brought together design industry professionals in a way that no other ever has. I hope that those who came away from the event found valuable resources to help them grow their business and will reach out to those who can use their expertise; I know I did and I know I will!
