Industry Sales Professionals Course Winnipeg

On Thursday, April 24, IDC returns to Winnipeg to continue offering the celebrated Industry Sales Professionals Course (ISPC), a custom course tailored exclusively to meet the needs of architecture and design industry sales professionals.

Building on the success of last year’s ISPC Manitoba and the 2023 offering, and hosted this year at the 201 Portage conference auditorium, the event will feature three practically oriented and engaging panels and Q&A sessions with leading local design professionals! Additionally, opportunities for networking and building connections will be provided throughout the afternoon.

Interior designers are invited to join for free to hear insights for developing their practice and networking with industry reps.

Event content:

• Networking Lunch and Coffee break
• Panel 1: General Contractor, Sub trade, and Sales Rep – Working with Interior Designers
• Panel 2: Approaches to Residential Design
• Panel 3: Approaches to Commercial Design

Industry members registration.

Interior designers can secure a spot here.

Tentative panel topics:

Panel 1: General Contractor, Sub trade, and Sales Rep – Working with Interior Designers

This panel will address the various roles involved in the successful design and construction of a project – from Specification and general contractor roles to sub trade and designers. Panelists will also address important project considerations and what they entail, such as timelines, tasks, requirements, and the communication involved.

Panel 2: Approaches to Residential Design

What are some of the most effective tips for building lasting, mutually beneficial working relationships with professional interior designers? What are designers looking for when they receive a visit from an industry sales representative? What are their main pressures and pain points, and how can industry representatives help to solve those to deliver added value? How do designers like to be sold to, and what completely turns them off? These questions, and more, will be answered during this frank session.

Panel 3: Approaches to Commercial Design

What are some of the industry’s most challenging aspects of commercial projects today? How has this sector evolved over the last decade and has the role and relationship of industry reps changed how a design project unfolds?

Stay tuned for an announcement of our speakers!

Benefits of participating:

• Expanded network of registered interior designers and architects, drawn from boutique and large design firms
• Two-way conversations with registered designers, architects, and other sales professionals
• Helpful tips on how their studios operate as well as how to join their network of trusted industry resources
• Certificate of completion

See answers to frequently asked questions.

Testimonials
“Our connections and communications with the product rep community are an essential part of how we as designers work. We would be very lost without them.” – Joanne McFadden, Principal, ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design

“Incredible engaging opportunity to have an open and candid conversation on how we (manufacturers, distributors) can better support and work alongside our industry customers both in the design and architectural fields.” – Dallas Klassen, Regional Sales Director, Canada West, Interface

“The ISPC was a great event to have for the A&D Representative community – to remind us how to navigate this difficult boundary between the rep and designer. It was confirmed to me in this course that it’s all about timing and persistence. Building trust and partnership in the design community. It is a great course for new A&D Representatives and companies to invest in. Teaching the basics of relationship building between the rep and designer.” – Katrina Ozerkevich, Architecture and Design Specification Representative, Julian Tile

Industry members registration.

Interior designers can secure a spot here.

Event details:

Location: 201 Portage, Business Conference Centre Auditorium
201 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B9
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Event contact: bkrsiakova@idcanada.org