Vision 10 New Media Day, Friday, May 14, 2010

8:00 am GET CONNECTED: Grow Your Business with Social Media with Jackie Von Tobel

Complimentary Presentation- Sponsored by WFCP

Timid about Twitter? Flustered by Facebook? Bewildered by the Blogosphere?   Learn how to expand your business easily and cost free with these and other social media marketing tool from industry expert, author, blogger and social media bon vivant Jackie Von Tobel.  Her popular blog Jackie Blue Home has been an invaluable tool for her business and she is eager to show you how social media can benefit you. Join this step by step tutorial and learn to navigate the growing world of social media marketing to connect with customers, achieve expert status, and boost sales.  Learn everything you need to know to get started using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger and more, to tap into the power of free social media marketing.  Don’t let technology pass you by; put it to work for you and watch your business thrive.

9-12:15  WFCP Seminars

12:15- Design Bloggers Interview on WFCP Lounge Stage with WF Vision Editorial Director Susan Schultz Learn more about the bloggers on our Design Perspectives Panel.

1:15-3:00 Guided Tour of show floor with photo opportunity. Introductions with key vendors before heading off individually to explore show floor and vote for Blogger’s Choice Award.

4:00 Design Perspectives Panel Discussion

Are you aware how social media will be making a difference to interiors in the next year? Find out fast in this lively discussion of in- the- know style and design bloggers on what’s hot and what’s not in the marketplace. This panel of today’s hottest design bloggers including Valorie Hart, Brian Patrick Flynn, Megan Arquette, an and moderated by Jackie Von Tobel, Jackie Blue Home, will give their perspective on what’s going on in the design world today and segue into a discussion on how to capitalize on social media as a design pro.  PLUS, we’ll announce Vision10’s first Bloggers Choice Awards. Free to WFCP members. Room 201

5:15-6:30 Bloggers Meet up/ Tweet UP Join us for a casual networking event to spread the word about your brand, event or products. Sponsored by TODL.

This year at Vision10: IWCE, Window Fashions Certified Professionals (WFCP) will introduce the power of social media to the world of window coverings. WFCP is again giving design enthusiasts the opportunity to participate on-site by generating real-time content live from the show floor and seminars via the popular micro-blogging site Twitter.

The goal of this campaign is to generate even more excitement about Vision 10 show exhibitors, speakers and special events—and to provide a new presence and voice about the best ideas coming out of one of the industry’s most important events. Citizen bloggers at Vision10: IWCE in Atlanta, Ga., will be given the opportunity to combine their social media prowess and their passion and knowledge of window coverings to help stream real-time content direct from one of the industry’s most prestigious events.

We are looking for 10 energetic, enthusiastic go-getters to be our feet on the street. Our citizen bloggers will walk the event floor and seminars, capturing and sharing details using Twitter to update those at the show and across the blogosphere on the latest design trends and sensational happenings, as they unfold. WFCP will hand-pick the team of citizen bloggers from the applicants, who, in return for taking on this unique 3-day assignment, will all receive $25gift cards and compete for an opportunity to win more exciting prizes. Bloggers will resume-build, network and gain access to the coolest products and innovators in the window coverings industry.

Applicants have until April 30—winners will be announced on May 5.

GO HERE to get the application

Questions? Email the WFCP Team

Are you aware how social media and Web 2.0 will be making a difference to interiors in the next year? Adobe just released “What Shopper’s Want,” a study to identify and analyze e-commerce “visual merchandising” experiences. They found that 68 percent of women—our industry’s key demographic—purchased home furnishings online in the last year. And this wasn’t just teens, Millennials or Gen Xers. This was core home-owning, 50–64 year-olds—61 percent of women in that age group purchased home decor online.

We’re on top of this at WFCP. We’ve recognized the importance of Web 2.0 and social media and have dubbed Friday, May 14 “New Media Day” at Vision10. WFCP is sponsoring events throughout the day, including a variety of events in the WFCP Lounge focusing on the web, social media and how it can work for you. Watch for citizen bloggers walking the aisles and tweeting real time the excitement of Vision10—and we have three special sessions scheduled throughout the day, all designed to inform, educate and connect.

Start the day at 8 a.m. with what new media maven Jackie Von Tobel, WFCP Specialist, considers to be Social Media 101. She’ll introduce you to the range of free social media tools available to everyone, explain the differences between them and demonstrate easy-to implement first steps. This early-morning free session is sponsored by WFCP but is open to all. Look for “Get Connected: Grow Your Business with Social Media” in the Vision10 show planner.

At 4 p.m. you can look forward to the Design Perspectives panel discussion. This lively discussion featuring in-the-know design and industry bloggers will give perspectives on what’s going on in the design world today and segue into a discussion on how to capitalize on social media as a design pro. The panel, moderated by Von Tobel, will demonstrate specific examples of how to use social media to engage your customers, grow your career or business and drive social change. To close out this session, we’ll announce the first Blogger’s Choice awards for products and services from the show floor. Well-known design bloggers participating on the panel include Tobi Fairley, BeachBungalow8.blogspot.com; Valorie Hart, VisualVamp.blogspot.com; and Skyla Freeman, Sfair.blogspot.com.

The final “official” event for New Media Day will be a blogger’s meet-up, immediately following the panel discussion. It will be a fantastic opportunity to network, exchange information, discover new contacts and make valuable connections.

Right Start Quickbooks Coaching Program Launches in January 19, 2010

Window Fashions Certified Professionals (WFCP™) and Minutes Matter today announced another phase in their continuing partnership furthering their commitment to the window covering industry. WFCP and Minutes Matter will be offering a six week Quickbooks coaching program. The Right Start program will result in participants becoming certified in Interior Design Quickbooks (IDQ). The joint effort is just in time to get a “Right Start” with your accounting as the New Year begins. The Interior Design QuickBooks (IDQ) certification is part of the new WFCP Business Strategy certification.

 The program is meant for designers, decorators and fabricators. WFCP’s Business Strategy certification was launched to meet the requests from members wanting concrete help with their businesses and to position themselves in the marketplace as not only window covering design experts, but business professionals. “We are thrilled to be adding to our library of certifications aimed at helping design professionals become more efficient and profitable, says Deb Barrett, WFCP Director. This program is offered exclusively through WFCP (Window Fashions Certification Program) and Minutes Matter. Vickie Ayres, a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor with Minutes Matter will be conducting the coaching sessions.“At Minutes Matter, we find that most people are barely skimming the surface of what QuickBooks can actually do for their business. When you participate in the IDQ coaching program, you’ll receive live hands-on time with an expert instructor. Each session is specifically tailored to suit your business needs.” says Debbie Green, President of Minutes Matter. “This program will provide guidance to pros that is actionable. We won’t be telling them; we will be showing them how-to get their business and financial house off to a right start,” Ayres adds.

 As leaders in the window covering industry, WFCP and Minutes Matter are dedicated to offering tools to design professionals to thrive in 2010; not just survive.

 The IDQ system is simple.  During the sessions, participants will actually create a new company, enter multiple type transactions and generate reports to determine profitability per job as well as the company’s net profit. The six week program consists of:

• Weekly Group Coaching Lesson Online (1.5 hrs) with live Q&A
• Weekly  one hour private online coaching session
• Weekly email follow-up about lesson/ project progress
• 12 month FREE Email support
• 12 month FREE QuickBooks support on the WFCP QuickBooks Coaching Program Forum
• Right Start Coaching Manual
• QuickBooks year end “Tune-up Appointment”

 The Lesson Plan Lineup includes:

• QuickBooks New Company Setup Fresh Starts
• Job Flow – Estimate to final payment
• Accts Receivable and Accounts Payable Management
• Sales Tax & Use Tax
• When Bad Things Happen
  • Financial Analysis with Reports

 To learn more about IDQ or speak with Debbie Green at Minutes Matter contact Debbie at debbie@minutesmatter.com. To speak with Deb Barrett about WFCP or the coaching program  contact Deb at deb@gracemcnamarainc.com.

 REGISTER BY JANUARY 7th FOR EARLY BIRD BONUSES

LEARN MORE 

We know things come up. We’re sorry you couldn’t celebrate with us. We are so excited about the all the changes to the NEW WFCP and want you to be too!  As a WFCP member, join or renew your WFCP membership by Wednesday, November 11 at 5pm. CST and take advantage of this special offer.

Join or renew your WFCP Membership Now and get a $50.00 gift certificate redeemable on seminars, webinars and WFCP Products.

 Our Gift to You!

 Don’t miss out!

Grace McNamara and the WFCP Team Invite You to Our Relaunch Party!

We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes so we can offer window covering pros the BEST certification and membership program in the industry. Join us Nov. 5, 2009 at 2 p.m. CST for our WFCP ReLaunch Party where we’ll debut the NEW WFCP membership benefits and features.

Drew Gerber, creator of PitchRate and PR mover and shaker, will kick off our new program with his PR 101 presentation. He’ll discuss the key steps you need to take to promote yourself by using publicity firm techniques to land media coverage.

PLUS, we have some surprises and goodies to pass on to you and we’ll give you a sneak peek of what’s in store for WFCP in 2010.

Don’t miss out!

SIGN UP NOW for this FREE webinar and receive special pricing.