Deeper conversations. More meaningful connections. Actionable business strategies. Registration opens September 15 with early bird pricing.
Trade Only Event
Join ADAC for a deeper Get Down to Business experience designed to help you build a stronger, more profitable firm through expert-led presentations, interactive workshops, focused breakout sessions, and practical business strategies.
This year, ADAC is expanding opportunities for interactive learning, meaningful conversations, and personalized engagement. Building on the longstanding success of Get Down to Business, the program will be offered as a ticketed event with attendance intentionally capped at 75 participants, creating an intimate setting for collaboration, networking, and focused discussion. Through expert-led presentations, interactive workshops, and dedicated time with industry leaders, attendees will gain valuable insights and strategies to strengthen and grow their design firms.
In addition to thought-provoking presentations and panel discussions, attendees will participate in interactive breakout sessions designed to foster peer-to-peer learning, deeper conversations, and practical business insights.
The day will conclude with the Sherwin-Williams Colormix® 2027: Rewild HSW CEU (1.0), providing attendees with an opportunity to gain valuable insights and inspiration to apply to their design practices.
Highlights include:
• An insider’s look with Ericka Saurit of Saurit Creative at what it takes to position your firm for the market ahead, including defining what sets your firm apart, communicating your value, building visibility, and staying relevant as client expectations and an increasingly AI-driven landscape reshape the design industry
• Strategic guidance on operations, leadership, team structure, and the systems that support sustainable success
• A compelling case study featuring Margaret Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design and Gail Doby and Erin Weir of Pearl Collective, sharing the real story behind transforming an established firm into a business experiencing exponential growth
• A candid conversation with Dwayne Bergmann on scaling a design business, diversifying revenue streams, and building a multifaceted brand
• Interactive roundtable discussions designed to foster peer-to-peer learning and meaningful connections among industry professionals
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your firm’s foundation, prepare for growth, or gain fresh perspective from industry leaders, this event is designed to help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Good to know
Highlights
- 8 hours
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
Atlanta Decorative Arts Center
351 Peachtree Hills Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30305
How do you want to get there?
Agenda
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Welcome + Meet the Speakers
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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.
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Networking Break
Connect with the speakers + refresh and reset for the next session