“Running a business is more than learning about how it’s done. It’s about making decisions and taking action,” says LuAnn Nigara, keynote speaker at the International Casual Furnishings Association Educational Conference in Orlando on February 15. The recognized author, podcast host, and business consultant will kick off the twoday program with her talk, “Excellence is a Decision.”

The former co-owner of Window Works, an award-winning window treatment and awning specialty store in Livingston, N.J., Nigara shifted her focus after 30 years in retailing to help other home furnishings professionals strengthen their business, sales, and negotiation skills, as well as principles for outstanding customer service.

Nigara will also lead a breakout session on “Three Things You Can Do to Improve Your Outdoor Furniture Business” as well as sign copies of her best-seller, “A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts,” being distributed to all attendees.

ICFA’s 2022 Educational Conference is scheduled at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort on February 14-17 and features a roster of experts to address the current business environment and ways to be most successful in the outdoor furniture industry.

Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Bank, will present the latest U.S. economic outlook. Vitner tracks economic conditions and produces publications on residential and commercial construction, regional economies, and issues affecting small business.

Bob Phibbs, aka The Retail Doc and founder of SalesRX, will deliver the Wednesday morning keynote, “Get the Sale, Not the Order.” Phibbs has partnered with ICFA to provide an online learning curriculum designed for retail sales associates in a program largely underwritten by ICFA. He notes that store associates can be trained to integrate their unique personalities in building rapport with shoppers and fully engaging to sell merchandise and provide outstanding customer service.

Tom Shay of Profits Plus Solutions will take a close look at how to beat any competitor by determining ways to do what they don’t and/or what they can’t. “8 Ways to Beat Any Competition” will explore delivering the right products and services in the right location, community, and method. Shay is a fourth-generation small business operator with knowledge of the daily responsibilities of store owners, managers, and staff.

Jeff Cortes, author of “Give Your Employees C.R.A.P. and 7 Other Secrets to Employee Retention,” will focus on how managers can utilize caring, respect, appreciation, and praise effectively to strengthen their company’s human resources. He has more than 25 years of HR experience at leading corporations.

Lee and Terry Resnick, experts on business succession planning, will provide updates on changes in tax laws as well as impactful tax proposals that may become tax law. The presentation is key for all business owners, regardless of whether they already have an estate and/or business succession plan and also for those that are not yet thinking about their company’s future.

Chris Andresen, senior vice president at Dutko GR, will report on “What’s Happening in Washington?” As part of the government relations team for ICFA, Chris specializes in identifying policy opportunities and threats in order to create legislative and regulatory strategies.

The agenda also features breakout groups, roundtable discussions, and social opportunities for networking. A retail design tour to Patio Style and Summer Classics Home in Winter Park, Fla., and golfing at Disney’s Magnolia Course are optional activities on Monday before the alfresco opening reception and dinner.

Attendees can register online: www.icfanet.org/2022educationalconference registration.

A limited block of discounted hotel rooms can be reserved here: www.swandolphingroupres.com/index.cfm? group_code=IN5403. Speakers Announced for ICFA Educational Conference LuAnn Nigara Mark Vitner Bob Phibbs Chad Desmett Lisa Cobert Steve