WithIt and WMCLV to offer Leadership-Focused events during Las Vegas Market

WithIt (Women's Leadership Development Network) and World Market Center Las Vegas have partnered to provide exclusive leadership development programming during Las Vegas Market, from 30 January - 3 February 2012. Both an educational event and a mentoring session are designed to benefit all home furnishings professionals, including interior designers and students pursuing careers in design, regardless of their title, rank or position.

“Our leading-edge campus and engaged communities provide a superior backdrop for WithIt's leadership programming,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. “We support WithIt's impact on shaping leaders in our industry, and our hope is to expand our partnership with this fine organization during future editions of Las Vegas Market.”

Influential Women in the Home & Design Industry will feature four female business owners who have successfully navigated mid-stream career changes, the rise of social media marketing, and the emergence of sustainability in design. Celebrity interior designer and TV host Kelli Ellis; Mod Mom Furniture owner and product designer Kiersten Hathcock; interior designer and sustainability expert Lori Dennis; and social marketing strategist and WithIt 2012 President Julia Rosien, SocialNorth.com, will engage in a topical discussion that is certain to empower attendees to become better leaders in their companies.

“This is the type of event that every attendee, no matter what his or her role in the home furnishings industry, will walk away with new business insights and implementable strategies,” said WithIt Regional Vice President Kassie Smith, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group, who will moderate the panel. The discussion will take place on Monday 30 January 2012 from 3-4 p.m. in Building B, 16th Floor, World Forum.

Meanwhile, a half-day networking event on Wednesday 1 February, ENERGIZE! will connect successful female professionals and students against the backdrop of showroom tours, topical roundtable discussions led by WithIt 2012 Board members, and great networking opportunities.

“This session is perfect for all women who are interested in excelling within one of the many exciting areas of the home furnishings industry,” explained WithIt Vice President of Mentoring Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales for Palliser. “We are reaching out to all women, including students, to introduce them to a new career, or simply to inspire them to be better at what they do now.”

WithIt's ENERGIZE! event will begin at 8 a.m. in Building C, Suite 344. Tours of Las Vegas Market showrooms will begin following brief introductions. Roundtable discussions will start at 10 a.m. Both WithIt events are free to registered Las Vegas Market and Gift+Home attendees, but registration is required for the ENERGIZE! networking event. Visit WithIt.org to reserve your seat.

Las Vegas Market website

WithIt website