Midwestern design talent often flies under the radar, overshadowed by coastal design hubs, but the region has cultivated a unique community rooted in authenticity and creativity. Championing the heartland’s vibrant interior design scene, Davis Interiors founder and principal Jennifer Davis created the Midwest Design Retreat aimed to inspire and connect interior designers with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Set against the charming backdrop of Minneapolis’s Hewing Hotel, the retreat’s programming kicks off May 5, promising three days of engaging sessions led by renowned celebrity designers, top business coaches and industry leaders, each sharing valuable knowledge and guidance for building a successful design business. Here, Davis and featured speaker Kate O’Hara of O’Hara Interiors offer a closer look at what’s in store for the first-ever Midwest Design Retreat.
Photography provided by Midwest Design Retreat
Midwest Design Retreat
May 5–7
Hewing Hotel, 300 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis
Tickets available now.
Why did you create the Midwest Design Retreat?
Jennifer Davis: On the West Coast, designers have access to beautiful, curated events that spark connection, creativity and growth. But in the Midwest, that kind of experience was missing. I wanted to build something that felt elevated, where designers could learn from one another, build real relationships and feel truly inspired. This retreat is about creating space for both business growth and personal connection, all in a setting that feels like a mini luxury vacation.
What excites you most about the retreat?
Kate O’Hara: There’s a different kind of conversation that happens when you gather experienced designers in a setting that encourages openness. I’m looking forward to conversations about the creative process, the challenges we don’t always talk about and the parts of the work that draw us in again and again.
Photography provided by Hewing Hotel
How will this event be different from other industry conferences?
JD: This retreat is intentionally small and personal. It’s not about big stages and sales pitches, it’s about meaningful conversations, actionable business strategies and building a network you can actually lean on after the retreat is over.
KO: There’s also something meaningful about it being in the Great Lakes region. It reflects a design perspective that’s often underrepresented but deeply thoughtful, grounded and sophisticated. This retreat was built for people who are serious about their work and selective about how they spend their time.
What value will this inaugural gathering bring to the Midwest design community?
JD: We have so many incredibly talented designers here in the Midwest. This retreat gives us a space to shine, to elevate our businesses and to support each other in ways that extend far beyond the three days together. It’s a celebration of what’s happening right here, in our region and a reminder that we don’t have to look to the coasts for inspiration or validation.
What do you hope attendees gain from this experience?
KO: Clarity, connection and momentum. Whether that means refining your process, resetting your creative direction or making one key relationship that shifts your trajectory. I hope every designer leaves with something that catalyzes what comes next.
Photography provided by Midwest Design Retreat
Why is community-building important in the design world right now?
JD: There’s so much noise out there right now, so much pressure to constantly be producing, sharing and growing. Having a community grounds us. It reminds us we’re not alone. When we root for each other, we all succeed.
KO: Some of the most meaningful conversations I have about design happen over standing breakfasts at the Minikahda Club or at dinners I host to bring women in the industry together. Those relationships — built over time, outside the spotlight — are what keep me centered. Community in this field is not just about networking; it’s about having people who understand the pressures, the pace and the passion behind the work. When we invest in each other, the entire industry gets stronger.
Who do you think will benefit most from attending the retreat?
JD: It could be a first-year designer just getting started or someone who’s been in the industry for more than 10 years. What matters most is the mindset. This is for those who are always looking to grow, refine their process and find smarter, more intentional ways to do what they love. If you’re trying to break through a roadblock, work through a bottleneck in your business, or figure out what’s next — this experience is designed to help you find that clarity.
Do you have any advice for designers on the fence about attending?
KO: It’s rare to step out of the day-to-day and spend time thinking about the bigger picture of your business. If that is something you have been meaning to do, this is the kind of environment that makes it possible.
