IWCE Rocks Music City

Attendees Connie Valente, Brenda Baxter, Marcia Boatwright, Lori Carpenter, and Cheryl Draa.

Keynote speaker Genevieve Gorder.

ARTICLES BY SOPHIA BENNETT AND GAIL GUTSCHE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY WOO PHOTOGRAPHY

This year’s International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) was one for the books. The show saw the highest attendance in many years, both among guests and exhibitors. The crowds swarming the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville had many good things awaiting them—a highly successful Friday night reception open to everyone registered for the show; energetic presentations by the industry’s leading educators, Construction Zone experts and special guest speakers; and great music and entertainment. Participants had ample opportunities to chat with friends and colleagues while they discovered the latest in window covering products and trends.

“I could not be more pleased with the outcome of this year’s show,” said Grace McNamara, publisher of Window Fashion VISION and IWCE’s producer. “We had many first-time attendees and exhibitors, as well as those who come every year because it’s always a great investment for them. There is no other gathering exclusively for window fashion professionals available at this level, so people realize the value of the show. Everyone had a terrific time exploring Music City. Overall, this event was a huge success—our best show in 10 years.”

Many others agreed. “Grateful… blessed… honored… These words don’t even begin to describe my emotions about my experience at the International Window Coverings Expo in Nashville,” said April Skye Balough with Creative Design Team in Belleair Bluffs, FL. Balough is the first-ever recipient of the Grace McNamara Scholarship, which provides airfare, lodging and full admission to the event. “When I received the email about the scholarship, I saw this as my opportunity for an educational experience of a lifetime. I’m now a Window Fashion Certified Professional and have a much deeper understanding of motorization and salesmanship.”

“We just got back from the IWCE show and our new lead list is overflowing,” said Lynn Ranger, vice president of marketing for Alta Window Fashions. “It was so exciting to showcase the Alta Window Fashions brand, from our full line of quality products to our profit-enhancing programs for dealers. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet with many of our current customers and thank them again for their business.”

Find out what you missed at this year’s Expo on the following pages. And mark your calendar for the 2020 event now. The International Window Coverings Expo will return to Charlotte, NC, on March 25 to 27.