International Market Centers (IMC) – which operates the Atlanta, Las Vegas, and High Point Markets – will present two webinars on August 6 that address diversity and inclusion issues impacting the gift, home furnishings, and apparel industries. Each hour-long session includes powerhouse industry voices who will share their experiences as designers, retailers, and leaders. These webinars are an extension of IMC’s recently formed Diversity & Inclusion Network, which strives for universal inclusion and a diverse and tolerant workplace.
“IMC is committed to providing the industry-at-large with timely and relevant content and none is more important than inclusiveness and representation during the current social justice movement,” says Dorothy Belshaw, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer. “As IMC works towards a more welcoming and inclusive environment for our team members, regardless of differences in race, gender or sexuality, we offer these webinars as an opportunity for the industry to consider diversity issues in our marketplaces.”
A Conversation About Diversity in Retail explores best practices and gives insights into the steps companies are taking as well as discussing results. The presenters are: Terence Morris, IMC’s Senior VP/Gift Leasing and DeAnna J. McIntosh, Global Retail & e-Commerce Consultant. The webinar, which is presented by the Atlanta Apparel and World of Prom & Social Occasion shows takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. (EST).
Diversity in Today’s Market addresses the diverse consumer marketplace and how that diversity influences business and design. Panelists are: Breegan Jane, Founder of Breegan Jane Interior Design; Rachel Moriarty, Lifestyle Brand CEO & principal interior designer at Rachel Moriarty Interiors; Katrena Griggs, President, Founder & showroom pioneer of Curated Home Brands; and Ron Woodson, co-founder and principal designer of Woodson & Rummerfield House of Design. The webinar is presented by Las Vegas Market and Atlanta Market and moderated by IMC’s Cindy Hodnett. It takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. (EST).
Registration for both webinars is free and can be completed on the Atlanta Market Remote page at www.AmericasMart.com/AtlantaRemote, the Las Vegas Market webinar page at www.LVMKT.com/Webinars, or the Atlanta Apparel webinar page at www.AmericasMart.com/events. These webinars join dozens of upcoming and past webinars that are accessible online in lieu of in-person programming at the summer markets.
In June, IMC created a Diversity and Inclusion Network, an internal taskforce compromised of 12 employees across the company’s departments and campuses, and co-captained by three employees: Terence Morris; Kempen Olivier, Director/Security & Safety; and Danielle Hall, IT Project Manager.
The Network seeks to achieve four primary goals:
- create community for diverse professionals at IMC;
- develop programming and forums addressing diversity, inclusion, human rights, and social justice;
- implement policy changes at IMC supporting diversity and equal opportunities for advancement;
- provide a platform for thought leadership in the gift, home furnishings, and apparel industries.
Pre-registration is required for all IMC markets this summer. Registration information is available at www.AmericasMart.com and www.LasVegasMarket.com.
