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Developed with both industry newcomers and veterans in mind, the SURTEX 2013 Conference Program will offer 10 dynamic sessions presented by an impressive roster of renowned industry veterans, including artists/designers, agents, manufacturers, retailers, legal and marketing experts. Entitled “Art & Design Profit Perspectives: Design Business Intelligence for Manufacturers, Artists, Designers and Retailers,” the Conference Program will present multi-disciplinary sessions in three distinctive tracks:
Sunday, May 19 – Track I
These four sessions will address the basics of monetizing art and design, whether through licensing or selling designs outright. These sessions are ideal for newcomers to the business – artists, designers, manufacturers, retailers and product developers who are interested in learning the fundamentals of the surface design industry.
Monday, May 20 – Track II
Offering more in-depth content, Track II sessions include legal discussion about design protection, as well as three industry-specific Category Spotlights addressing the specifics of conducting business within the various product categories. They are designed for newcomers, as well as industry veterans wishing to stay current in today’s business environment.
Tuesday, May 21 – Track III
Two final sessions will focus on business trends that will enhance the bottom line, presented from both a retailer and designers’ perspective. Anyone involved in the design, marketing and product development of consumer products will benefit from these two sessions
Helpful Hints!
Register early to save money and guarantee a seat!
Full Conference and Daily Track packages are available for greatest savings and include end-of-day meet-ups!
All session purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Monetizing Your Art & Design
Sunday, May 19 9:00 - 10:30am
Thinking about getting into the business of art & design? How prepared are you to succeed? This must attend introductory session will give you an overview of the surface design business and help you determine the process that makes the most sense for you … whether to license, sell outright, or navigate the various hybrid ways of monetizing your art & design. Join Marty Segelbaum, President of MHS Licensing and Nancy Fire, President of Design Works International as they walk you through critical elements of getting started, identifying opportunities, and spotting the potential bumps along the way. You’ll gain valuable, real life insight on how to construct a successful art & design business with solid fundamentals.
Including:
- How long does it take to build a thriving business?
- What can one earn? What are my costs?
- Agent or no agent?
Who should attend: Artists and designers entering the field, agents and manufacturers interested in basics about the business.
Presenters:
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Marty Segelbaum
President
MHS Licensing
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Nancy Fire
President
Design Works International |
In-Depth Look at Art Licensing Basics
Sunday, May 19 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
The ‘what if?’ to ‘here’s how’ session designed to arm you with the ‘equipment’ to engineer a well-rounded art licensing business. Ellen Seay, Director of Licensing at Cruise Creative Services and artist Carol Van Zandt, Owner of Carol Van Zandt will explore the basic model of art licensing while addressing the fundamentals of developing, presenting, promoting and marketing your work. They’ll also dig into the hotly-debated topic of branding, how to approach it and how to make it succeed! For licensees, they’ll look at the best ways to discover new art and what manufacturers typically do to secure the best designs for product development.
Including:
- Agents: to use or not? How to find one and make the relationship work.
- The early years… how to ramp up relationships between licensees and licensors.
- Keys to success: follow-up must do’s; dealing with client challenges, and more.
Who should attend: Artists and designers, manufacturers interested in exploring art licensing, art agents looking to expand into licensing
Presenters:
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Ellen Seay
Director of Licensing
Cruise Creative Services
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Carol Van Zandt
Owner
Carol Van Zandt
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In-Depth Look at Selling Art & Design
Sunday, May 19 1:30- 3:00 pm
For years, textile designers and studios have been very successful selling original, often hand-created, designs to manufacturers. But unless you’re in the know, it’s a less known way of monetizing one’s work, yet many manufacturers prefer buying over licensing. And, as the landscape of art licensing evolves, art licensors are turning to this model to generate income… in a variety of formats. Join Deborah Shapiro, Owner of Cherry Design Partners and Chris Verbeek, Owner of Verbeek Designs as they present the ins and outs of selling designs outright, as well as the opportunities and challenges of this business model.
Included:
- Who owns the design copyright? Can one design be sold numerous times to different manufacturers? Can designs be branded?
- Is there a standard price range for individual designs? Does it vary from industry to industry? How does payment work?
- What manufacturer categories are most likely to buy art outright?
- How does digital work factor into this model?
- How are designs typically presented to manufacturers? In repeat? In any particular size?
Who should attend: Artists, designers, studios, manufacturers who are interested in learning about the “selling/buying” model
Presenters:
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Deborah Shapiro
Owner
Cherry Design Partners
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Chris Verbeek
Owner
Verbeek Designs
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Up Close & Personal: What You Need to Know About Licensing Contracts
Sunday, May 19 3:30- 5:00pm
The licensing contract is the most important tool one will need in the art licensing business, no matter what side of the fence one is on. For licensees, it’s critical to spell out what’s required from designers/artists and what the parameters are for sales, royalties and approvals. For the licensor, the contract defines what is expected, as well as one’s rights and responsibilities. It is the blueprint for doing business amongst the parties involved. Join John D. Mason Esq. at IPG-Art Law and Julie Newman, founder and president of Jewel Branding and Licensing as they dissect a prototype contract from top to bottom, and covers key topics.
Including:
- Is there a typical advance? Guarantee?
- Are there standard terms & conditions?
- Does the licensee or licensor typically provide the contract?
- Who does the negotiating? Attorneys or involved individuals?
- How does an agent fit in?
Who should attend: Any one involved in the licensing process: artists/licensors, manufacturers/licensees, agents, and retailers
Presenters:
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John D. Mason
Esq.
IPG-Art Law
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Julie Newman
Founder & President
Jewel Branding and Licensing
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Safeguarding Artwork – from Copyrights to Internet Protection
Monday, May 20 8:00- 9:30 am
Concerned about having designs copied and used illegally? Interested in learning the best ways to protect intellectual property including art & design? Then this session is for you! Jeanne Hamburg Esq. at Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA will take you from basic copyright filing to legal options should you discover your work is being used without permission. And, in the ever changing landscape of the internet, she’ll discuss how to best protect artwork once it is launched into cyberspace.
Including:
- What copyright language needs to be in contracts?
- Is an attorney needed to handle copyright filings?
- Can one collect damages if someone is using work illegally? How?
- Should there be password access to websites? What are the pros & cons?
Who should attend: Anyone interested in minimizing legal risks – artists, designers, studios, manufacturers and retailers
Presenter:
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Jeanne Hamburg, Esq.
Norris McLaughlin
& Marcus PA
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Category Spotlight: Textiles & Home Fashion
Monday, May 20 10:00- 11:30 am
Join Andy Sylvia, President of Cranston Textile Group, Julie Philibert, Senior Designer, Warner Wallcoverings and Pam Maffei-Toolan, Vice President Design for PK Lifestyles as they share what each looks for when determining what designs to purchase and art to license. Moderator, Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief of Home Textiles Today, will lead this behind-the-scenes look at how and when manufacturers want to see new designs, collections, and artwork. What’s the process once they make their selections? How involved is the artist/designer in the development stage? Join us to learn what goes on in the minds of three insightful industry leaders in these very design-driven categories.
Including:
- How long does a design stay in a manufacturer’s line?
- What is the typical developmental timeline from product sample to retail floor?
- How important is branding in the textiles categories?
Who should attend: Artists, designers, studios, agents and retailers interested in doing business in these lucrative categories
Moderator: Panelists:
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Jennifer Marks
Editor-In-Chief
Home Textiles Today |
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Pam Maffei-Toolan
Vice President Design
PK Lifestyles
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Andy Sylvia
President
Cranston Printworks |
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Julie Philibert
Senior Designer
Warner Wallcoverings
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Category Spotlight: Tabletop, Gift & Home Décor
Monday, May 20 1:30- 3:00pm
Moderator Allison Zisko, Managing Editor of HFN Magazine, will challenge manufacturer movers & shakers - Toni Kemal, Lifetime Brand’s Senior Trend Analyst, Ingrid Liss, Creative Director of Demdaco and Sue Todd, President of Magnetworks - to share their views on product development in their respective categories as they search for art & design that resonates with their product lines. Learn from these industry leaders as they divulge their strategies for finding and applying great design to their products.
Including:
- Does tabletop drive all other category success?
- How is designing for the gift market different?
- What are the best ways to get into these categories? What are the presentation criteria?
- How critical is branding in the marketplace?
Who should attend: Artists, designers, studios, agents and retailers interested in doing business in these lucrative categories
Moderator: Panelists:
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Allison Zisko
Managing Editor
HFN Magazine |
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Toni Kemal
Senior Trend Analyst
Lifetime Brands
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Sue Todd
President
Magnetworks
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Ingrid Liss
Creative Director
Demdaco |
Category Spotlight: Paper & Stationery
Monday, May 20 3:30- 5:00 pm
Come along for an in-depth discussion of the unique opportunities and challenges when designing for the paper and stationery categories. Susan January, Vice President of Leanin’ Tree and George White of Up With Paper will discuss how much art is actually created in-house and how much is purchased versus licensed. Find out what the chances and processes are for a newcomer to successfully work within these categories.
Including:
- What’s needed in the product development process?
- Is service work an option in this category?
- How does one make the transition from self-publishing cards to licensing?
- Is branding important for these categories?
- What are the presentation criteria to enter these categories?
Who should attend: Artists, designers, studios, agents and retailers interested in doing business in these lucrative categories
Panelists:
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Susan January
Vice President
Leanin’ Tree
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George White
President & COO
Up With Paper
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The Future of Retail: Attitudes, Trends and Hardcore Facts
Tuesday, May 21 10:00- 11:30 am
Mike Tesler of Retail Concepts sheds light on the future of retail as it relates to art and design. Is everyone moving to private label? Do retailers only want brands? What’s the best positioning for growth in the years ahead? Manufacturers will gain insight about what the retail landscape may look like in the next 5-10 years.
Including:
- Big box or specialty retailers- who will survive?
- What is the continuing role of e-commerce?
- Do retailers want to deal directly with designers or their agents?
- Is overseas manufacturing going to remain strong? How will this impact the future design and product development process?
Who should attend: Manufacturers, agents, artists, designers, product development and merchandising executives
Presenter:
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Michael Tesler
Founder
Retail Concepts Inc. |
Design Leadership: Developing Winning Color Strategies in a Global Marketplace
Tuesday, May 21 1:00-2:30 pm
Influencing 50% - 85% of ideas and product purchase decisions, color is a pivotal element to a successful design and brand strategy. Understanding how color plays into consumer consciousness and its affect on consumer purchasing decisions will help you to better integrate color into your design strategy, strengthen your overall message, shape customer perception and stand out in a competitive marketplace. Join Keith Recker, Color Strategist, Pantone Color Institute, for this informative look into the powerful language of color.
Presenter:
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Keith Recker
Color Strategist
Pantone Color Institute |
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Through May 14
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Onsite |
Full Conference Only (provides access to all sessions, but not show floor)
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$700 |
$850 |
Full Conference with Show Badge (provides access to all sessions, plus a Tuesday-only show badge)
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$750 |
$900 |
Track I (includes all Sunday sessions, 1 lunch voucher and admission to Sunday Meet-Up)
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$275 |
$350 |
Track II (includes all Monday sessions, 1 lunch voucher and admission to Monday Meet-Up)
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$275 |
$350 |
Track III (includes all Tuesday sessions)
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$150 |
Not Available
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Individual Sessions
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$75 |
$90 |
Click here to purchase your Conference sessions through SURTEX attendee registration.
Already registered? Click here to update your registration.