Get Down to Business – A Deeper Dive

Oct 28, 2026
10:00 am—6:00 pm

Presented by ADAC 

Sponsored by Business of Home, Edgar- Reeves Lighting, Ernest Gaspard, F. Schumacher & Co., Kravet Inc., LUXE Interiors + Design, Made Goods & Sherwin-Williams  

Join ADAC for Get Down to Business — A Deeper Dive, a focused experience designed to help interior design professionals build stronger, more profitable firms.

Limited to 75 attendees, this intimate one-day program brings together leading industry experts for candid conversations, expert-led presentations, interactive roundtables, and practical strategies addressing the business realities facing design firms today.

Whether you’re preparing for growth, strengthening your firm’s foundation, or looking for fresh perspective, Get Down to Business — A Deeper Dive delivers practical insights, meaningful connections, and strategies you can put to work.

 

TICKETS:
Early Bird Admission | $125 Registration Opens September 15, 2026
Standard Admission | $150 beginning October 1, 2026

Attendance is limited to 75 participants to ensure a highly engaging and collaborative experience. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

 

Schedule:
10:00 AM–10:15 AM | Welcome + Meet the Speakers

  • Welcome remarks
  • Event overview and agenda
  • Introduce all speakers, panelists and moderators

 

10:15 AM–11:15 AM | The Business of Being Seen
Positioning Your Firm for the Market Ahead

Being good at design is no longer enough to ensure the right clients find you. In a crowded, rapidly changing market, visibility, relevance, and perceived value are business advantages—and how your firm shows up matters as much as the work you produce.

In her session, brand strategist Ericka Saurit of Saurit Creative explores what it takes to build a firm that gets noticed, remembered, and chosen. She’ll unpack the strategic decisions that shape perception, from defining what sets your firm apart to communicating your value in ways that resonate with your ideal clients. You’ll examine how changing client expectations and an increasingly AI-driven landscape are reshaping visibility, then identify opportunities to sharpen your positioning, stand out, and stay relevant in the market ahead.
@sauritcreative

 

11:15 AM–11:30 AM | Networking Break

  • Connect with the speakers
  • Refresh and reset for the next session

 

11:30 AM–12:30 PM | The Business Framework
Operations, Mindset, and the Structure Behind Success

Join Gail Doby and Erin Weir of Pearl Collective as they share the proven systems that help successful interior design firms thrive. Having coached hundreds of design professionals across the country, Gail and Erin understand what separates firms that simply stay busy from those that build sustainable, profitable businesses.

This session explores the operational framework behind high-performing firms—from leadership and team structure to financial management, strategic planning, and creating systems that support long-term growth. Attendees will gain practical insights into building a business that is not only creatively fulfilling but also scalable and financially resilient.

@the.pearl.collective

 

12:45 PM–1:45 PM | Lunch + Roundtable Discussions with Speakers

Showroom Sponsors:

Kravet Inc., Suite 106 | @kravet1918
Ernest Gaspard, Suite 109 | @ernest_gaspard
Edgar-Reeves Lighting, Suite 139 | @edgarreeveslighting
F. Schumacher & Co., Suite 303 | @schumacher1889
Made Goods, Suites 402/403 | @madegoods

Interactive roundtables focused on peer-to-peer discussion and sharing best practices across firms.

Topics may include:

  • Operational efficiencies
  • Leadership and team structure
  • Scaling challenges
  • Building profitability

 

2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Case Study in Growth
From Established to Exponential: Inside a Transformational Partnership

A candid conversation between Margaret Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design, Gail Doby and Erin Weir of Pearl Collective on what it actually looks like to evolve and scale an already successful firm.
With over three decades in business, Margaret will share how working with The Pearl Collective helped double her firm’s growth through shifts in mindset, structure, and strategy. Together, they’ll discuss operational changes, leadership decisions, and the disciplined focus required to move from steady success to significant expansion.
This is not theory—it’s a real-world case study in growth.
@mdiluxurydesign | @the.pearl.collective

 

3:00 PM–3:15 PM | Coffee Break with Speakers in the Designer Lounge
Enjoy coffee and informal conversation with speakers while connecting with fellow attendees.

 

3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Scaling a Design Business
Growth, Diversification, and Building a Multi-Faceted Brand
Featuring Dwayne Bergmann, this session dives into what it really takes to scale—from increasing revenue to launching new ventures and expanding beyond traditional design services. A candid look at growth that is both ambitious and strategic.
@dwaynebergmanninteriors

 

4:30 PM–4:45 PM | Sherwin-Williams CEU Check-In

 

4:45 PM–5:45 PM | Sherwin-Williams Colormix® Forecast 2027

Presented by Kamilah Morgan, MBA, Designer Account Executive for Sherwin-Williams
Led by Kamilah Morgan, Sherwin-Williams’ Designer Account Executive, this directional color journey and CEU course explores the future of color through a global trend lens, examining the cultural, technological and environmental forces shaping design for 2027. Participants will explore a curated palette of 48 colors alongside key macro drivers influencing color, material and finish directions across interiors, architecture and product design. We will explore three overarching design stories for 2027—Revive, Reignite and Reconnect—which highlight themes of heritage and craftsmanship, expressive creativity, and human connection to nature. Through these narratives, the course examines how emerging social behaviors, sensory experiences and sustainability considerations translate into actionable design strategies and forward-looking color concepts that create spaces that are meaningful, adaptable and aligned with evolving consumer values.
@swdesignpros

Colormix® Forecast 2027
Qualifies for 1.0 HSW CEU Credit
AIA Course: Colormix27 IDCEC Course: CEU-126556

 

5:45 PM–6:15 PM | Sherwin-Williams Sponsored Networking Reception | ADAC Designer Lounge

Enjoy prosecco, light bites, and continued conversation after the Colormix® 2027 CEU presentation.



REGISTER HERE