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TRI-STATE ROUND TABLE MEETUP - NOV. 16TH, 2007

By
Home Stager with Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island

Foreground: Donna Dazzo, NY; Claire Andia (AFR NJ); Rhonda Cosaluzzo (AFR NJ); Left to Right Back Row: Val Allocco NY; Julie Maher, CT; Linda Pollock, NJ; Susan Smith, CT; Phyllis Pafumi, NJ; Juliet Johnson, NJ; Kathy Mohr, CT; Nancy Maurer, NJ; Katherine Timms (Realtor NY); Sarah Carter DuHaime, NJ; Missing from photo: Maureen Henry, NY (she had to leave promptly at 2)

Well, we pulled it off - the first SIF Round Table Meetup in the northeast! There were 11 Home Stagers in attendance; 3 from NY, 3 from CT and 5 from NJ.  I brought a realtor from Huntington, Long Island who is very 'pro-staging', and she was able to help us to see things from a realtor's perspective. Two reps from AFR joined us for the meeting, but mainly sat on the sidelines unless the conversation was directed toward them or the use of rental furniture.

We met at the American Furniture Rentals showroom in Secaucus, NJ, and AFR provided us with meeting materials, refreshments and lunch!  They also collected our business cards before the meeting, and after lunch held two drawings for framed prints.  Susan Smith won a lovely set of two framed prints and Katherine Timms, our realtor 'panelist', won a vibrant print (which I hung for her when we returned to her office later in the day).  She was delighted and I was happy that she was able to take something 'tangible' back with her!

Maureen Henry, true to form, baked the most awesome cookies you have ever tasted and needless to say, they were a big hit!  She really IS 'the cookie lady'!!!

I think that I can speak for all who were part of this monumentous occasion, that probably the biggest thrill of the day was actually meeting one another in person!  Isn't it amazing how we have all connected through blogging and commenting on blogs here at Active Rain?  I have had this experience of meeting AR members before, but it never ceases to amaze me how 'connected' we really all are!  When you finally get to 'meet' one another, it seems as if you are running into an old 'friend'.

We worked from the SIF Round Table agenda, but being that we had a limited amount of time and we were a very 'chatty' group, we did tend to go 'off subject' more than a few times!  We pledged to go home and jot down our individual answers and then send them to Susan who generously offered to compile them into a sensible form and e-mail it back to everyone.  In future blogs I will be addressing the various topics and our collective insights into each. 

Just an aside here: When Phyllis and I finished our staging training course (where we first met) and started our businesses in early 2006, we had a 'dream' and that dream was to connect with other Home Stagers from the area and band together as a means of support, encouragement and resource-sharing.  Given that Home Staging was so new to the northeast, we spoke about ways to get the message out and have our voices be heard.  Having two voices is better than being a single voice, however in order to make an impact, you need a strong presence.  We spoke of establishing a 'metropolitan' area professional stagers group (we would refer to it as 'MAPS'), but being new to the industry, we did not know where to find others who shared our beliefs.  Yesterday a 'light bulb' went off and Phyllis and I realized that perhaps the time has come for that dream to be realized.  We are not, however, limiting the membership to the 'metropolitan area', but it could encompass the Tri-State (NY, NJ and CT) area ('TAPS' or "Tri-state Alliance of Professional Stagers").  Phyllis and I spoke for more than an hour last night about this - she even came up with a slogan: "Tapping into resources that can help you to grow your business".  Such is the power of SIF and these Round Table Meetups!

I want to publicly thank all those who made the tremendous effort to attend this 'meetup'; many drove hours in order to be a part of the Round Table.  I also want to acknowledge Kathy Mohr who brought her laptop and diligently took notes!

AFR has invited us to come back and do it all again; in fact, they would like to host a few of these a year in the hope of keeping the lines of communication open between the Home Stagers and the Rental Company.  We discussed the possibility of holding another 'meetup' in January or February - before the busy season starts to 'kick in'.  Stay tuned for information on that.  We did have about 6 Stagers who were not able to join us for this meeting and I am hopeful that with enough advanced notice, they will be able to be a part of the next Round Table.  For now, I have promised to keep them 'in the loop' by way of e-mailed information and inclusion in group e-mail 'discussions'.

For those of you who have not yet committed to hosting a Round Table in your area, I want to tell you that it is SO worthwhile!  There is only a little 'prep' work that has to be taken care of, and you should definitely approach your furniture rental companies about the possibility of them 'sponsoring' the event.  After all, if we as Home Stagers are successful, they will be as well.  For more on another Round Table Meetup - this one in Chicago - read Craig Schiller's post: It's CLEAR... 21 SIF RoundTables Across North America Are Going to REFRESH Our Industry!

Staging (and 'Tapping') it Forward,

VAL

Comments (23)

Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Kathy,

I'm so sorry that you were unable to come to yesterday's meeting, but you ARE a part of this regardless of whether you were there in physical form or not!  I will keep you 'in the loop' as promised.  There hasn't been much in the way of e-mail activity today most likely because it is the weekend.  I heard from 2 stagers who attended, but the e-mails were "thank you's" in nature.

I'll give you a call in a few days to discuss all.  Hope all is well!

VAL

Nov 17, 2007 10:29 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Val ~

I know you will - no rush, especially with the holiday coming up this week.  I just think it's great that it went so well and that AFR is so into sponsoring it. 

Nov 17, 2007 10:38 AM
Craig Schiller
Trempealeau, WI

I was thinking of the NY group yesterday during our meeting in Chicago. I was HOPING it  was going as well for you as it was going for us.

Today when we talked I was THRILLED to hear you had all the positive energy.

I know as other SIF RoundTables are held in the upcoming months more and more stagers will look forward to going and being part of a group that respects each other and works to help each other thrive.

Thanks to you, all that attended and AFR! This proves the staging sum IS greater then any ONE part.

Me

Nov 17, 2007 10:41 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Wonderful Val! Now you have my motor revving. Isn't this such a wonderful way to connect, learn, assist and grow! I'm just like a little kid on  Christmas morning. I'm excited!!! Way to go!

Nov 17, 2007 11:03 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Val thank you for all your hard work in getting the ball rolling. It does not seem like two years ago and yes it does finally seem that this "vision" is coming together. Everyone has something wonderful to share and everyone was SOOOOO nice. It was great meeting all and once again you are truly a blessing. You are always willing to go the extra mile (or 100 or so miles) to help others. 

I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Phyllis Pafumi

Nov 17, 2007 11:37 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Awesome Val.  Wish I could have been there to meet my AR friends.  We're starting to connect here in Central Florida too.  I'm sure there will be forthcoming news after our International Roundtable on the 27th.  Thanks for sharing your experience!
Nov 17, 2007 12:23 PM
Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota
Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

Absolutely wonderful VAL!  So glad it was such a success. I can't believe I missed Maureen's cookies - dang!

All the best,

Beth 

Nov 17, 2007 01:43 PM
Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota
Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

By the way...if you know of any staging folks that want to join our Minnesota SIF meeting...it will be Tuesday, Jan 15th at 3pm!  Mark your calendars now :) We'd love to see you!

 

Nov 17, 2007 01:44 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento
This is wonderful and empowering.  I am glad that it went well for you Val. These meetings can be so powerful and a gift to us all.
Nov 17, 2007 02:02 PM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging

Val, I wish I were there!  IF for nothing else than to hug you, Phyllis, & Maureen!  I really got to try her cookies!

Im glad that you guys had such a large attendance.  I hope that Melissa and I will too!

Nov 17, 2007 10:05 PM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Val - thanks for putting this all together,  it is a lot of work and I for one am grateful.  I had a great time, it was so nice to put faces with the blogs.  I loved hearing about what worked for people and how they are running their businesses.

It was nice to meet with people that are trying to make it in the same geographic location, we had a lot of the similar concerns.   

Nov 17, 2007 11:57 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Val did do a wonderful job, and the folks at AFR were wonderful hosts!  Now if we can just get past question #1...Thanks, all - Julie

Nov 18, 2007 01:01 AM
Anonymous
Donna Dazzo - Designed to Appeal, LLC

Val - thanks to you for your efforts in putting together this roundtable discussion.  My hat's off to you!  I don't know how you do it all.  It was so nice finally meeting with you in person after chatting on the phone many times. 

And it was great meeting Maureen Henry and Phyllis Parfumi whose blogs I always read when I log into activerain.com.

Being fairly new to this business, it was great to hear how other people run their businesses and the experiences they had.  It was interesting to hear the many diffferent business models of how they go about running their staging businesses, whether when they do a consultation they always do a proposal for the cost of carrying out their recommendations so they make sure they get the "whole" job, or just concentrate on and like only doing consultations.  Yet while there were these differences, there were so many shared experiences that we all could relate to.

I am so proud to be part of a group that is willing to share information and keys to success, and help others, rather than viewing other stagers as competition.

I can't wait til the next roundtable when I will have more experience under my belt and will be able to contribute more.  

Nov 18, 2007 03:35 AM
#17
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT

I feel so motivated and equipped with knowledge and potential that I don't know where to begin!  It was GREAT meeting everyone and seeing the big picture!  I have lots of ideas which I just need to process through my very tired brain to come up w/some tactics for furthering staging in the TAPS region.  Hmmm...I'll get back to you with more thoughts later....

Susan

Nov 18, 2007 04:03 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Craig,  thank you for once again taking the initiative and creating the means (SIF and Round Table Meetups) by which we all can 'connect'!  I do believe that you have been the most instrumental in helping all AR Stagers to 'connect' instead of 'compete'!

Yvonne, I know what you are feeling - I think that we ALL want to meet one another at some point in time and when we do, watch out!  We are like a bunch of Sorority Sisters!

Phyllis,  we have been together in this from the beginning.  YOU have become the most amazing home stager and such a success story - I am SO PROUD of you!

Terry,  I truly wish that I could join YOU and YOUR GROUP!  Maybe next time!

John,  you've got it!  I'll let you know when we will be meeting again.

Beth,  have FUN with YOUR SIF Round Table - I'm sure that it will be wonderful!

Lori, "empowering" is the perfect word!  How wonderful is it that we are all so connected?!

Marci,  I missed having you there!  I'm so glad that you and Melissa are hosting one as well.  I can't wait to hear all about it - have fun!!

Maureen,  cookies not withstanding, I am SO glad that YOU came!  We all seem to face the same problems and have the same concerns here in the northeast and tri-state area.  Now that we have all connected, there will be no stopping us!

Julie,  I just love your sense of humor - Question #1 INDEED!!!  As I explained to Craig, you get a bunch of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans (is that the right word?) together, and it's hard to interject!  Of course everyone knows that people from CT are very proper and would never think of commandeering the conversation!!!

Donna,  I am really glad that you contacted me and that you made the decision to come and be a part of this momentous occasion.  Now that we have all 'bonded', there is no where to go but 'onward and upward'!

Susan,  you are truly a treasure and I love your 'upbeat' attitude!  i am so glad that you are a part of this group!

 

Nov 18, 2007 09:32 AM
Nancy Maurer
Whitehall Interiors & Home Staging LLC - Sparta, NJ
Home Stager - Serving No. NJ
Val,  Computer issues have prevented me from writing sooner, but a BIG thanks to you for organizing this very important meeting!!  Also, AFR did a wonderful job in hosting our Roundtable.  I, too, could have stayed for many more hours to talk and share.  It was such a great opportunity to meet everyone and to learn from all of you as you have so many valuable stories to share.  This type of meeting (and even better a professional organization like TAPS) will only serve to move our profession forward and I look forward to participating in any future events.  Thank you again!!

Nancy
Nov 19, 2007 12:11 AM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

Hi Gang,

It was a fun meeting, particularly when we got down to brass tacks and shared fees.  It never ceases to amaze me how minutely "regional" this business is.  Not just in the "style" of how you decorate a space but in how you present your story to realtors and home sellers.  What might work in South Jersey wouldn't work on Long Island or Connecticutt, etc.  For our next meeting, we need a map and each stager's demographics so that we can see their comments in context!

Thanks Val, for organizing this and thank you to all who came.

Nov 20, 2007 02:26 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes
I'm just reading this now Val, what a great turnout and wonderful event you hosted! I'm looking forward to our North TX RT in January and am excited by what you all did there! Thank you for sharing.
Dec 04, 2007 03:05 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes
I'm just reading this now Val, what a great turnout and wonderful event you hosted! I'm looking forward to our North TX RT in January and am excited by what you all did there! Thank you for sharing.
Dec 04, 2007 03:05 AM
"Tommy" Decebal
HomeSpector Inc. 516-851-5833 - Farmingdale, NY
Adamescu Long Island NY MASTER Home Inspector

Wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a great year in 2008.

Tommy   New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY 

Dec 20, 2007 09:03 AM