Lisabeth Martin Karen Erickson Jill Stanbro Ginny Connor Carlette Cormier Minda Fernish Mary Ann Plumlee Anita Boetsma Trenia Bell Ray Ward Chris Nivin Allison Reid Eric Wells Scot Robbins Mary-Ann Quinn Debbie Green Patricia Sprinkle Claudia Buchanan

Trenia Bell is a designer and the owner of a drapery workroom that specializes in fine hand-finished custom window treatments and bed covers. She has a staff of 12, offers design assistance, and has a wholesale and retail clientele. An active member of Prowindows and Drapery Pro, she gives advice online often. She has given seminars at the IWCE, American Sewing Guild National Convention, and Slipcover Summit. Her writings have appeared in Window Fashions, Sew News, and Threads magazines. Some of the topics she presents are: Pricing Custom Products, Short Course in Textiles, Trims and Linings, Slipcover Construction, Beyond Custom: High-End Couture, Mastering Color and Pattern, Design and Construction With Silk, Design and Proportion of Custom Window Treatments, Beyond Sole Proprietor List of Topics: Short Course in Interior Textiles Silk: Design and Construction Part One: Selling High-End Treatments Part Two: Design and Construction of High-End Treatments Understanding Color and Pattern Business Basics and Pricing Slipcover Design and Construction; Pinfitting Roman Shade Construction and Details Panel Construction and Details Ray Ward is a nationally recognized authority in the field of credit and collections. His background in credit spans nearly 40 years of successful achievements in the field of credit and receivables management. Ray's career began as a Credit Manager trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co and served in a number of management positions during his 18 years. Ray continued his credit career in the textile and home furnishing industry, serving as Credit Manager and Senior Credit Analyst. Prior to starting National Business Credit Exchange in 2000, Ray held management positions with Carole Fabrics, a subsidiary of The Hunter Douglas Company and Springs Industries. This background provides the basis of understanding for the needs and concerns of the companies selling to the "interiors industry" today. Ray presently serves as Executive Director of National Business Credit Exchange. The goal of the newly formed company was to provide a streamlined exchange of credit information via the internet among member companies that were selling to a common customer base in the interiors trade. The growth has exceeded expectations, processing almost four million accounts through the database each month. Ray consults with some of the major companies in the industry, providing information and direction for the protection of receivables. Ray holds a BA in Business Administration and is a 30-year member of National Association of Credit Management. He also sponsors the Window & Wallcovering Credit Group and the Mid-Atlantic Decorative Fabrics Credit Group. These groups hold meaningful discussions regarding accounts receivable challenges, and enjoy an educational session each meeting. He also works closely with "The Credit Research Foundation." Chris Nivin is the Regional Sales Manager for a 31-state territory for BTX, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of motorized traversing, roll-up, and lift systems for window coverings. He also is the technical trouble shooter and trainer. Chris has a B.B.A. in Marketing from Midwestern State University. He worked at JCPenney for five years as a facilitator/Trainer and two years at Electronic Data Systems in Business Development. List of Topics: Motorization Motorization Controls Wiring and Automation integration. Allison Reid is the owner of Draperies By Design, a home-based wholesale and retail workroom in Wake Forest, NC. Allison graduated with a degree in Theatre Education from the University of NC at Greensboro. With a six-year old son and 3½-year old twin girls, she has to be organized and deliberate in the way she tackles projects. Her background in theatre helps her to "improvise" from time to time, finding ways to create illusions with fabric and come up with creative solutions for odd situations or requests. List of Topics: Trends in Linings Window Treatment Trends (i.e. French Blackout Velcro Top Treatments, New Ways to do Romans, Shade Clutch Systems, Grommets, etc.) How to Find a Good Workroom and What To Expect from Them (For Designers) Don't Be Scared of Power Tools Any Fabrication Class