Photography by Ali Leigh
What do you get when you bring a group of creatives together in a historic Minneapolis setting for three days? Expert insight, endless inspiration and meaningful connection. From thoughtful workshops to engaging keynote sessions, each day of the Midwest Design Retreat is tailored for interior design firm founders, principals and owners, focusing on tools and topics to help them grow their business, refine their process and build their network within the design community. We caught up with a few of the event’s collaborators to learn more about this year’s retreat and the ultimate impact it’s had on attendees.
“Each year, we’re intentionally refining the experience based on what designers tell us they need most,” says host Jennifer Davis, founder of Davis Interiors. This year, the team put together a dynamic lineup of programming with a focus on educational topics and practical strategies, ranging from improving profitability to creating scalable systems. “While beautiful projects, branding and PR remain important topics, we’re seeing a growing demand for deeper conversations around the realities of running a successful design business,” Davis explains.
Several sessions brought industry leaders into the spotlight, giving attendees the opportunity to learn directly from the experts. One crowd favorite was a Q&A discussion with Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors. “Attendees were incredibly curious about how to grow their companies in a sustainable way,” shares Hammel. “There was a real eagerness to learn from one another and have honest conversations about what growth actually looks like behind the scenes.” During another crowd-favorite presentation, speakers Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors and Mark Williams of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes dug into builder and designer collaboration, sharing personal insights around how to improve and elevate the process. Midwest Design Retreat’s partnership with these local leaders and sponsors like ALL Inc., Artful Living, Intersource by Stark, Sherwin Williams, Thibaut Design and more, offer attendees a well-rounded view of industry trends and how to optimize their business.
But the retreat isn’t all formal presentations and logistical insights. “One of the exciting additions this year was our Design Lab, an interactive workshop where sponsors provided material samples and attendees participated in a design flat lay challenge,” notes Davis. The days are also balanced with group meals and happy hours that provide an opportunity for attendees, sponsors and speakers to mingle and get to know one another on a personal level. The opening dinner hosted at the Visual Comfort showroom and the closing dinner, put on by presenting sponsor House of Rohl, were particular stand outs for bringing attendees together. “The beautiful dinners each evening created space for genuine connection,” Hammel emphasizes. “Those one-on-one conversations are often where the most meaningful relationships are built.”
It’s those connections and the network of support that attendees grow throughout the experience that sets Midwest Design Retreat apart. “Our goal has never been to create just another design conference,” explains Davis. “We’re building a community and educational experience that helps designers become stronger business owners and ultimately become more successful.” Along with hosting a few pop-up events across the Upper Midwest, the team is already off to the races planning for the third annual retreat, promising the most impactful lineup yet with inspiring speakers, meaningful networking opportunities and an even greater emphasis on the business side of design.
