The Newsletter
N EW E N G LA N D
Spring Issue 2011
President’s Letter Doing Business with People you Know, Like and Trust Dear IFDA New England Chapter Family,
My use of the word family in the salutation is a reflection on our chapter: large enough to offer a wide spectrum of design professionals, but small enough to allow members to easily get to know one another. But simply being a member of IFDA will never turn contacts into contracts, without making the effort to build upon the relationships our organization makes possible. And people do business with people they know, like and trust.
Jacqui Becker
Have you ever been in a personal relationship when you rarely showed up, perhaps occasionally just for a free meal, and then had nothing to contribute to the conversation? And how did that work out for you?
Participating in IFDA events definitely does work, but only if you’re honest with yourself about why you’re there: not to “get business”, but to build relationships, get some visibility for your business, and create the opportunity for people to know, like and trust you. Go to events and also help your colleagues make connections, and it will become evident that you are there to help others, not take from them. From there it is just common sense practice. Why would you ever go to the internet to Google a lighting designer when you have begun to build a relationship with a local lighting designer that attends the same networking event that you do? You wouldn’t! Add relevant, dynamic, educational programming to the networking at our events, and the value of IFDA participation is obvious. 2011 started with a superb program on LED Lighting at our Silver Sponsor, Wolfers Lighting. IFDA was one of almost a dozen sponsoring associations for the first Annual Meet Massachusetts networking event, (continued on page 2)
IFDA New England 2011 Board of Directors President Jacqueline Becker, Jacqueline Becker Fine Arts Consulting Services Phone: 617.527.6169 Fax: 617.527.3116 jacqui@beckerfinearts.com www.beckerfinearts.com
VP Communications Ray Bachand, 60nobscot Home Furnishings Work: 978.440.8066 ray@60nobscot.com www.60nobscot.com www.SherbornWoodworks.net
VP Hospitality Nicole Hogarty, Nicole Hogarty Designs Work: 401.831.7878 Mobile: 508.380.4103 nicole@nicolehogarty.com www.nicolehogarty.com
President Elect VP Membership Robert Henry, Audio Video Designs Work: 617.965.4600 x140 Mobile: 781.710.7442 rhenry@avdesigns.com
VP Communications Mark Landry, Landmark Services Work: 508.962.3000 info@landmarkservices.com www.landmarkservices.com
VP Awards Arnold H. Lagueux, Century Furniture Work: 617.737.0501 Fax: 617.737.2857 Mobile: 774.226.6177 alagueux@centuryfurniture.com
Treasurer Tricia LeVangie, California Closets Work: 617.962.0981 Fax: 508.554.9873 Home: 617.962.0981 TLevangie@calclosets.com www.californiaclosets.com Secretary Peter Dolat, Viking Center/Delia Inc. Work: 207.310.1951 pdolat@deliainc.com www.deliainc.com
VP Community Service Christine Kay, Trademark Style Work: 781.718.6568 Fax: 781.749.3021 Home: 781.718.6568 chriskay@trademarkstyle.com www.trademarkstyle.com VP Corporate Sponsors VP Financial Resources Bob Ernst, FBN Construction Co. Inc. Work: 617.333.6800 Fax: 617.333.6813 bernst@fbnonline.net www.fbnconstruction.com
VP Education VP Networking Carolyn Baker Meek, FIFDA, Boston Architectural College NE School of Art & Design Work: 508.358.2876 cmeek2@comcast.net
VP Events Diana James, East Coast Designs Inc Medallion Gallery Work: 617.236.8283 Mobile: 781.249.7002 dmj1208@hotmail.com www.eastcoastdesignsinc.com www.medalliongallery.com Immediate Past President Sue Adams, Sue Adams Interiors Work: 978.475.3567 Fax: 978.475.0577 sadams@sueadamsinteriors.com www.sueadamsinteriors.com Industry Liaison Bob Grossman, Wolfers Lighting Work: 781.890.5995 Home: 508.561.7263 grossb@wolfers.com