Interior Design Industry News

Business of Design Conference Announces 1st Annual Web Excellence Awards
 

Experts to Choose "Best of Breed" From Among Interior Design and Industry Partner Web Sites

* Award ceremony to be held at new World Market Center facility
* Hundreds of entries already submitted
* Lance Haeberle added to panel of judges
 

AUSTIN, Texas, Mar. 9, 2008 /Designing For Profits/ -- DPI, producers of The Business of Design Conference, announced today that it will launch a major national Web award at its 5th Annual Conference September 3-5, 2008 at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort. Based on criteria set by and judged by a panel of industry experts, a "Top 10" list will be announced both for interior design firms, and for industry partners such as manufacturers, dealers, and showrooms. A crystal globe award will be presented to the winner in each category during a special opening ceremonies event on Wednesday evening, September 3, 2008. This opening session and award ceremony will be hosted by Conference co-sponsor, World Market Center, at their spectacular new "Building C."


The Business of Design Conference is focused on the financial success of interior designers. Thus, along with standard criteria such as attractiveness, and user friendliness, judges in the Web competition will also be looking at how a Web site (whether a designer's or industry partner's) helps to facilitate the design process so that there is a demonstrated increase in sales, or a corresponding decrease in time or money invested in a given job. Relevant features are expected to extend beyond mere "electronic brochures," and include back-office functions such as client log-ins, project management links, partner sharing, and direct-to-source ordering and proposal generation.


"Given the rapid changes the industry has undergone over the past five years, Web sites are all over the board today," said DPI president, David Shepherd. "But having said that, we are definitely starting to see a trend toward certain 'must have' features. This awards contest will enable us to compare and contrast those at the leading edge, and provide our attendees with a road map for their own futures."


Shepherd also announced that Lance Haeberle, founder and president of the award-winning Studio I.T. suite of software for the design industry, has been added to the panel of judges. "We feel like we're on the leading edge of reaching that day when designers and suppliers are truly integrated, and I'm anxious to see how far others have come along that inevitable path," said Haeberle. "At this early stage, we can only learn from sharing ideas with each other."


To enter the Web Excellence Awards contest, either as a designer or industry partner, simply visit www.designingprofits.com and click on the relevant link from the home page. Winners need not be present to win, but as these conferences sell out months in advance, so those who are planning to attend should pre-register immediately. Registration opens for the general public on April 21, 2008 (if seats are still available after pre-registration) and is expected to close on June 1, 2008.



About DPI and the Business of Design Conference


The Business of Design Conference, held annually in Las Vegas, is the nation's fastest-growing conference for interior designers and the only one dedicated to their financial success. Begun by Designing Profits, Inc. (DPI) in 2004, the Conference offers the unique format of limited attendance and numerous breakout groups so that in addition to industry experts, designers themselves are expected to share their "best practices" in a professional and non-competitive environment. Beginning in 2008, the Conference will also serve as the host for the annual Web Excellence Awards presented to design firms and industry partners who have Web sites leading to strategic and financial advantage, and the annual "What Designers Earn" national survey. DPI also manages the Best Practices Network (BPN) a group of some 100 non-competing interior designers who come together regularly to share best practices.