"THE FUTURE IS NOW" MICRO-CONFERENCE

WE DID IT!!!

2010-06-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT! "The Future is Now Conference" is now in the past. But that doesn't diminish all that we shared and learned yesterday. The event was awesome and I think attendees, Judy Pelinski and myself included, are ready to use what we learned to propel our businesses into the Future.

Of course, we couldn't have done it without the support of our amazing attendees, speakers and sponsors including Matt Fox of HGTV's Room By Room. From GCDC members to SRA Alumni, to IFDA attendees and the general public, we managed to fill almost every seat in the house our first time out.

Matt Fox wasn't only a tremendously inspirational and entertaining keynote speaker but a most down-to-earth and gracious guest. He and his wife, Jennifer, even chipped in moving furniture and helping clean up after it was all said and done. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful personality. Matt, after being barraged with photo ops and book signings all day long, was even quoted as saying, "It's a good thing I'm not famous"! We look forward to seeing his & Shari's new show appearing on PBS this fall.

Of course I would be remiss without mentioning our other wonderful and informative speakers including:

Life/business coach Victoria Cook's inspirational tips to stay on task and take your business to the next level

GCDC Member Bob Hurka and colleagues Debbie Logan & ChrisAnn Komosa's informational presentation on the latest in Hunter Douglas' beautiful window underwear and outerwear.

Jeff Rice's presentation on using social media and viral marketing to promote your business including how to set up your own Facebook Business page.

And finally, Sue Lynk's hands-on demonstration of the remarkably easy-to-use Caromal Colors faux finishing products that had the room buzzing about what pieces of furniture etc... they were going to revitalize.

Many of you were unable to attend for a variety of reasons. We're happy to announce that Conference was recorded by Sponsor Bill Speechley of A Video & Image Co. in Crystal Lake. Bill is offering a 5 DVD set of all the speakers for the remarkably low price of $50 with no S&H. Individual disks are also available with S&H added to the order. So if you missed out, we hope you'll take advantage of this "second chance" opportunity to show your support and share in our exciting day! The DVD order form is available upon request by contacting the GCDC at thegcdc@yahoo.com

Speaking of sponsors, without their generous support, we would never have been able to get it all done and for a price that was as reasonable. Well over $1000 worth of prizes and goodies were given away yesterday to attendees, in large part due to these companies' generosity. Please return support to these local businesses and their products and services:

Comfort Suites, Elgin

Sherwin Williams, Lake In The Hills

Home Decorators Collection, Lake Zurich

Loren Reid Seaman & Associates, Lake Zurich

Folio Press, Glenview

Victoria Cook, The Guilt Free Coach

Insignia Design, Palatine

A Video & Image Co., Crystal Lake

Divine Tranquility Massage, Lake In The Hills

We just can't say enough about how proud we are of GCDC and all that it represents. And thank you again for your support. Together we have proven that we don't have to wait for some date in the far-off distance to make a success of our businesses, The Future Is NOW!!!

INSIGNIA DESIGN SPONSORS CONFERENCE

2010-06-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Insignia Design Promotional Products

"A few Good Reasons to use Logo Products"

Be proud of your company name and promote it!
It is your most valuable ASSET!

Increase Sales and Revenues.
Builds Brand Equity and Value.
Enhances company name recognition.
Longer lasting impressions than radio, TV or print media.
Cost effective.
Generates new customers.

A VIDEO & IMAGE CO. TO RECORD CONFERENCE

2010-06-17T02:20:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to have Bill Speechley from A Video & Image Co. in Crystal Lake, IL as a sponsor for this year's Conference. Speechley will be on hand to videotape during the presentations and we anticipate the possibility of reproducing these segments for a fee for those who were unable to attend. More details will be forthcoming.
A Video & Image Co specializes in video production, media transfer and dvd/cd duplication among other related services.

LRS INTERIORS JOINS LIST OF SPONSORS

2010-06-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

LRS Interiors has joined as a sponsor of TFN. LRS Interiors is a wonderful resource for decorators and designers in the NW Burbs of Chicago. Loren and staff have graciously opened their doors to provide fellow professionals in the interior design industry the opportunity to give clients the Mart experience in a smaller, more intimate, boutique setting complete with unique items all beautifully displayed in their Lake Zurich studio. Thank you LRS Interiors!

FOLIO PRESS JOINS AS SPONSOR

2010-06-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

FOLIO PRESS of Glenview, IL has joined our prestigious list of generous sponsors for The Future is Now Conference. Their products include business printing, typesetting and design for flyers, direct mail post cards and brochures, conference programs, sell sheets, product information pieces, corporate image printing, booklets, newsletters, forms, envelopes, annual reports, labels, menus, letterhead and business cards, presentation folders, coupons, catalogs, invitations and announcements.

24 DAYS AND COUNTING

2010-06-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE LARGEST DECORATING EVENT IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS THIS SUMMER? TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!! JOIN US FOR A DAY PACKED WITH LEARNING, NETWORKING, PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE. THE SRA & GCDC PROUDLY WELCOME OUR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PRESENTERS AND SPONSORS. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO REGISTER, CONTACT JUDY PELINSKI AT: FRESHLOOKINTERIORS@COMCAST.NET

2010-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Be sure to get your signed copy of Matt & Shari's Book "Real Decorating for Real People". A must have for every one of us, especially in the Redesign and Staging Industry as our client's are the everyday "real people"!!!! No nonsense advice and how to's that are easy to follow and complete. Homeowners find this as a must have for inspiration and creative tips!! Email today to reserve your copy!!!!

WHAT IS CAROMAL COLOURS?

2010-04-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

Recyle, Reuse, Repurpose without pre-sanding, stripping or priming! Introducing… The Country Living Artisans Collection by Caromal Colours

Join Sue Lynk at the “The Future is Now Micro-Conference” as she introduces you to The Country Living Artisans Collection by Caromal Colours. She will show you how easy it is to use your clients existing furniture, accessories, lighting fixtures, walls, etc. using Caromal Colours decorative finishes in your staging, redesign and decorating projects.

All That Glitters is...Leaf
The beauty of metal leaf on walls, furniture
or accessories.

Glazy Days

Enhance any painted surface with this translucent,
easy to use glaze

In Your Own Words

Create a stencil 'in your own words' for walls, furniture

Stenciling

Create pattern and design anywhere in your home.

CONFERENCE EARLY REGISTRATION REMINDER

2010-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Reminder.... Early registration is now OPEN for only SRA Alumni and GCDC members. Beginning April 15th, we will start promoting and advertising to other organizations and the general public to enroll May 1st.
If you plan to attend or have RSVP'd on the event page, please send payment in the amount of $55 to Staging & Redesign Academy, PO BOX 531, Crystal Lake, IL 60039 ASAP. We must have payment in order to officially save a seat. We are limited to 50 seats and, between both groups, more are filling every day.

Take advantage of this incredible day of motivation, education and networking. The FUTURE for YOUR BUSINESS is NOW! Please don't postpone locking in your place!!! We expect a full house for the event.

MATT AND SHARI MAKE DECORATING TV HISTORY

2010-04-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

What were you doing on New Year's Eve 1994? Our keynote speaker was joining partner Shari in making television history. HGTV has become an addiction of sorts for many DIYers and decorators alike thanks in part to Matt and Shari's ground breaking program Room by Room.

Take a walk down memory lane by visiting mattandshari.com to see where this dynamic decorating duo has been and where they're going.

(image from www.mattandshari.com)

We are excited to have Matt speaking with us for The Future is Now. Our limited space is filling fast, so reserve your seat today for this Not-To-Be-Missed event!

CORRECTION TO CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

2010-04-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Please note the correction in the send to address for conference registration, please mail payments to P.O. Box 531, Crystal Lake, IL, 60039.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

2010-04-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that registration is now OPEN for SRA Alumni and GCDC Members.

To register, please send your name, address, phone number and email address along with a check for $55.00 made payable to the Staging & Redesign Academy to same at P.O. Box 539, Crystal Lake, IL 60039.

You will be sent an email receipt and confirmation.

Thank you!

SPECIAL ROOM RATES SECURED

2010-03-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Comfort Suites hotel is offering attendees of "The Future is Now" Conference a special single night rate of $79.00 plus tax. The hotel is approximately three years old. Each room features the 3 C's in hotel accomodation... Contemporary, Clean, and Comfortable with oversized rooms and kitchenettes en suite. The hotel is surrounded by multiple restaurants and close to I-90. Attendees should mention this special "SRA" rate when booking accomodations.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

2010-03-28T10:15:00.001-07:00

We were proud to announce yesterday our agenda for The Future is Now Conference. The SRA and GCDC have hand-picked presenters are all highly regarded in their field and have agreed to bring their expertise to a not to be missed conference. Each professional will present tools for attendees to put into practice as soon as they have left the conference. As the name implies....The Future is Now, this is your chance to make a difference in your business, do not wait for the perfect client, just the right timing or for the customer to call you. Create your own successful future with the help of our seasoned professionals.

Keynote and Special Guest Presenter Matt Fox from the HGTV'a original home decorating series Room by Room will be in attendance for a not to miss opportunity to learn from a pioneer in the business.

Space in limited to 50 people, reserve your spot today!

2010-03-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

AGENDA

8:00a - 8:20a Registration

8:20a - 8:30a Welcome & Introductions

8:30a - 10:00a Victoria Cook, The Guilt Free Coach

"Reset your Priorities for Exponential Success"

10:00a - 10:15a Break

10:15a - 11:45p Debbie Logan & Bob Hurka, Le Claire Interiors

"Window Treatment How Tos"

11:45p - 12:30p Lunch

12:30p - 1:30p Jeff Rice, Decor Designs, Inc.

""Tweet Your Own Horn" Viral Networking Strategies"

1:30p - 3:00p Matt Fox, HGTV's Room by Room, Keynote Speaker

3:00 - 3:15p Break

3:15p - 4:30p Sue Lynk, Caromal Colors

"Faux Made Easy"

4:30p - 5:00p Conclusion

5:30p Optional Dinner* at___________________________
*Not included in Conference Registration Fee