Off to Atlanta for decorating and U2 Concert

It's a big day.  I am heading for Atlanta for the Interior Refiners 8th annual conference, "The Freedom to Succeed, "at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead.
 
This organization is made up of more than 100 professional interior decorators and refiners from all over the U.S. and Canada.  We were all trained and certified by the organization's founder and well-know designer, Lauri Ward (see photo).  You have probably seen Lauri's best selling book, "Use What You Have Decorating," and possibly seen Lauri (see photo on right) on Oprah and many other national TV shows.  She is the pioneer of the concept of using what you have as the foundation to create a new look for your home.  Lauri was so forward-thinking with this concept and completely changed design forever by making it affordable.  And luckily for those of us who are passionate about design, she established a certification training program in New York.
 
It is such a thrill to be with so many decorator friends who come together once a year to exchange ideas and to soak up new concepts from wonderful speakers and seminars.  We go nonstop and at the end of the four days come back to our clients with so many new ways to do what we do best:  design beautiful homes affordably.  It is also a chance for us to add continuing education credits to our portfolio.
 
This year's agenda includes seminars on "Design's Bold, New World,"  "Staying Plugged In,"  "All about Color," and much more.  We are the guests for an afternoon at Serenebe, a 40,000-acre community that has merged ecologically sustainable principles with great design ideas.  Cannot wait to see this because "green" design is so much a part of what we do now.
 
Yours truly will be speaking to the organization on Tuesday about marketing your small business during an economic downturn.  The subtitle:  "How to get out of your pajamas before noon."  It is an honor for me to share my marketing with this great group of decorators and business owners.
 
Oh, and did I mention that there will be some fun also?  Like yoga classes taught by my friend and Houston designer extraordinaire, Pamela O'Brien of Room Redo, tickets to the U2 concert on Tuesday night and a dinner with my good friend, Melanie Stephenson.
 
Will be back soon with a recap of my adventures.