Member Resources

2026 Marketing/PR Conference

Leading marketing executives, CEOs, public relations managers and product development directors were among the wide array of industry professionals who attended AHFA’s 2026 Marketing/PR Conference, which took place at The Conference Center at Guilford Technical Community College in Colfax, North Carolina. The industry’s top marketing talent was present both in the audience and on the stage as presenters and panelists.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

SESSION 1: Houzz & Home Trends on the Rise for 2027
Pamela McNally
 – Head of Field Marketing & Market Development at Houzz
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SESSION 2: Establishing Your Brand Clarity Framework
Chirag Nijjer 
– Brand Historian at Chirag Speaks
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SESSION 3: From Insight to Impact — The Modern Marketing Operating System
Cameron Cook-Sellers
 – VP of Brand Marketing & Communications at Hooker Furnishings
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Special Presentation: Common Thread for the Cure
Laura Holland 
– VP of Marketing at Hickory Chair
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SESSION 4: 2026 Generational Marketing (Remote)
Sara Gutterman
 – Co-Founder/CEO of Green Builder Media
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SESSION 5: AI Marketing Tools 2.0
Matt Ritter
 – Associate Professor of Strategic Communication at High Point University
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SESSION 6: The Creator Economy — Shifting the Way Consumers Think About Brands
Caroline Landry 
– VP of Business Development at The Design Network
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SESSION 7: Navigating the Imagery Revolution (Panel)
Lauren Caroline "LC" Heider – Sales Development Manager at THS Creative
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Camille Youngblood – Director of Product Development at Liberty Furniture
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Kayla Miller – Director of Marketing at Universal Furniture
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

SESSION 8: What’s Changed in the New Longevity Economy, and Why It Matters to the Home Furnishings Industry
Kelly Peterson
 – Partnership Director at ROAR Forward
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SESSION 9: PR LAB — Crisis Readiness Is Essential for Today’s Risk Landscape
Jim Furrer
 – Senior VP at Steinreich Communications Group, Inc.
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SESSION 10: Marketing’s Role in Promoting Product Safety
Patricia Bowling
 – VP of Communications at the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA)
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SESSION 11: Putting Community Relations into Public Relations (Panel)
Cole Bawek
 – VP of Public Relations & Communications at Ashley Furniture Industries
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Caitlin Maribona – Senior Manager of Communications at CITY HOME
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Jessica Salisbury – VP of Specialty Retail at POLYWOOD
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Jenny Tinsley – Manager of Corporate Communications at Culp, Inc.