September 3, 2015

The Design Center at the Merchandise MartTM and LuxeHome will host Design Chicago, the Midwest’s largest residential design conference and inspirational trade fair, on October 6 and 7, 2015. 

Design Chicago will showcase a variety of educational and innovative programming including more than 35 educational presentations and CEU seminars, more than three dozen showroom open houses,and many new products debuting from more than 65 showrooms throughout the Merchandise Mart.

“We are thrilled to produce Design Chicago as it draws a talented group of design icons, industry leaders and trade professionals to see what’s new at the Design Center and LuxeHome,” said Katherine Flaherty, vice president, Vornado | Merchandise Mart. “Through the featured presentations, CEU-accredited seminars, new product introductions, and networking events, we intend to provide attendees with the business know-how to keep up with the constantly-evolving marketplace.”

The conference will feature notable members of the design industry including kitchen and design icons, Christopher Peacock (Christopher Peacock, Suite 148) and Mick De Giulio (Suite 121), design experts and TV personalities, Robert and Cortney Novogratz (The Shade Store, Suite 105), interior and furniture designer, Alexa Hampton (Hickory Chair, Pearson, Henredon, Suite 1477), and the creative genius behind the world famous Wynn hotels in Las Vegas and Macau, Roger Thomas (Fabricut, Suite 6-117) among others.

Attendees can register to experience compelling and educational CEU-accredited seminars presented by designers, media executives, editors, manufacturers and associations. Highlights include Dwell President Michela O’Connor Abrams’ exploration of the “New Face of Affluence,” hosted in the Monogram Design Center (Suite 124); Houzz’s Lindsey Thudin’s presentation on “Using Social Media to Promote Your Business,” hosted in Artistic Tile (Suite 105A); designer Lori Weitzner’s “The Preservation of Passion,” hosted in Donghia (Suite 631); and Jana Plantina Phipps’ “A Tour of Trimmings,” hosted in Robert Allen (Suite 633).

During Design Chicago, a who’s who of the design industry will come together to celebrate on the evening of Tuesday, October 6 at the Chicago VIP Luxury Gala. Tickets are now on sale to attend this year’s Gala, which will feature the inaugural induction of four residential design industry icons into the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame. Sponsored by Luxe Interiors + Design, attendees will toast the best in residential interior furnishings, architecture, interior design and custom home building.

Once again, Design Chicago will honor three of Chicago’s rising stars in the interior design industry at the Ones To Watch celebration on October 7. Sponsored by Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago, the prestigious recognition program, Ones To Watch 2015 winners were nominated and voted on exclusively by Design Center showrooms.