Member Resources

2024 Marketing/PR Conference

After a multi-year hiatus, AHFA revived its annual Marketing/PR Conference for 2024. The February 6-7 event took place at The Conference Center at Guilford Technical Community College. Topics that were covered included a panel of industry leaders discussing the impact of 3D visualization and augmented reality on furniture marketing; how to leverage online “influencers” to promote your brand; trends in marketing safer, healthier products; and tips for hiring/managing young marketing/PR professionals for your team.

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Some sessions have content that is available to download and view. Under each speaker, click on View Presentation to access a PDF from their session.


Tuesday, February 6

Session 1 – Changing the Way Consumers Think About La-Z-Boy
Christy Hoskins | Vice President & CMO
La-Z-Boy, Inc. – Monroe, MI
View Presentation

Session 2 – Navigating the Home Building & Remodeling Trends
Kent Panther | CEO/President
Wray Ward – Charlotte, NC
View Presentation

Session 3 – Meet the Re-Imagineers!
Kelly Peterson | Executive Sales Director
ROAR Froward – Charleston, SC
View Presentation

Session 3 (A) – The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation
Laura Holland
VP of Marketing & Communications
Hickory Chair – Hickory, NC
Board of Directors Member
The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation
View Presentation
 
Session 4 – Home Furnishings at the Intersection of
Health & Safety
Tracey Kelly | Project Leader, Safer Life at Home
IKEA – Conshohocken, PA
View Presentation
 
Session  5 – PR and Marketing as a Catalyst for Change
Helen Sullivan | Communications Counsel
CertiPUR-US – McLean, VA
View Presentation
 
Session  6 – What’s Law Got to Do With It?
Jack Hicks | Partner
Taylor Ey | Associate
Womble Bond Dickinson – Greensboro, NC and Atlanta, GA
View Presentation

Session  7 – How to Leverage Influencers for Your Brand
Mollie Surratt | CEO
White Label Studio – Atlanta, GA
View Presentation

Session  8 – Furniture Safety Week
Pat Bowling | VP of Communications
American Home Furnishings Alliance – High Point, NC
View Presentation


Wednesday, February 7

Session 9 – Results of 2023 Shopper Sentiment Research
Dennis Gatts | Strategic Accounts
Nfinite – Greensboro, NC
View Presentation

Session 10 – Member Panel: The Power of Product Visualization
Moderator:
Doug Cottrell | Founder
Clarity Web Solutions – Hickory, NC

Participants:
Andrew Crone | Chaddock
David Peterson | Gat Creek
Elicia Oliver | Riverside Furniture
Andy Bray | Vanguard Furniture
View Presentation

Session 11 – Onboarding for AI
Tanner Slepp | Vice President
Crobar Creativet – Greensboro, NC
View Presentation

Session 12 – Hiring and Keeping Young Marketing/Communications Professionals
John Mims | Chair of Strategic Communication and Assistant Professor
Nido R. Qubein School of Communication
High Point University – High Point, NC
View Presentation