In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable business environment, the ability to make tough, timely, and effective decisions is what sets exceptional leaders apart.

Hear directly from experienced leaders and industry experts in this engaging panel discussion tailored for the home furnishings sector. This session will offer real-world insights and actionable strategies to help you strengthen your decision-making skills—especially when the pressure is on.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing operations, or navigating strategic uncertainty, this webinar will give you the mindset, methods, and tools needed to lead with clarity and confidence.

What You’ll Learn:

• Identify key traits of effective decision-makers—and how to develop them in yourself and your team
• Avoid common decision-making traps with proven strategies
• Apply decision-making frameworks that balance speed, accuracy, and long-term impact
• Use collaboration, data, and intuition to make informed, confident choices
• Build resilience when navigating high-stakes or uncertain business scenarios

Panelists:

Christian Nichles, D.ED, founder, 1 Gen Solutions 

Christian Nichles, D.Ed., is a leadership expert and founder of 1 Gen Solutions. With 30 years of experience, he helps leaders navigate generational diversity, build strong cultures, and retain talent. Creator of the Generational Acuity™ Framework, Christian equips leaders with actionable tools to drive meaningful change and personal growth in today’s evolving workplace.

Peter Theran, President, Boston Interiors

Peter Theran is President of Boston Interiors, a Top 100 national furniture retailer serving New England with seven stores known for expertly crafted furnishings and personalized design service. A recognized leadership expert, Peter brings decades of global experience in omni-channel strategy, retail growth, and brand development,guiding Boston Interiors to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive sustainable business success.

Rene’ Johnston, Owner & Founder, Employee Engagement Solutions

Rene’ Johnston is the founder of Employee Engagement Solutions, helping organizations improve culture, retention, and profitability through stronger leadership and engaged teams. A former VP of Training for Profitability Consulting Group, Rene’ brings deep experience in retail and beyond. She’s a TEDx speaker, columnist, author, and consultant. Rene’ holds a Master’s in Adult Education and Human Resource Development.

AI is no longer a concept of the future—it’s a game-changer for today’s most successful retailers. In this exclusive HFA webinar, discover how home furnishings businesses like yours are using artificial intelligence to streamline operations, cut costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

From automated marketing to smarter inventory planning, our expert panel will guide you through practical, real-world applications of AI that are already transforming retail operations.

What You’ll Learn:

• Streamline Marketing Tasks: Use AI to automate email campaigns, social media, and customer segmentation for more effective, data-driven outreach.
• Optimize Inventory Management: Leverage AI to forecast demand, reduce overstock and stockouts, and stay ahead of market trends.
• Enhance the Customer Experience: Improve engagement with AI-powered chatbots and personalized product recommendations.
• Boost Operational Efficiency: Simplify routine tasks so your team can focus on what really matters.

Make Smarter Decisions: Use AI analytics to uncover insights that guide sales, staffing, and strategic growth.

Cash flow can make or break your business — especially in retail.

From economic uncertainty and changing consumer habits to supply chain challenges and rising costs, today’s retailers are navigating unprecedented financial pressures. Even the most established brands aren’t immune to cash flow disruptions.

In this live webinar, a panel of seasoned retail and financial experts will share proven strategies for managing cash flow through turbulent times. Whether you’re dealing with slower sales, managing heavy inventory investments, or navigating unexpected expenses, you’ll walk away with practical tools and insights you can apply immediately.

Todd Wanek, President and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC will share his perspective on the current state and future of the home furnishings industry.

In this enlightening and engaging conversation, Mr. Wanek will discuss supply chain challenges, economic and legislative factors impacting retailers, and strategies for navigating change. Gain valuable insights from one of the industry’s most influential leaders and HFA’s 2025 Trailblazer Award recipient on how furniture retailers can stay competitive and thrive in an evolving marketplace.

Great sales managers know that success starts with the right people and a culture of high performance. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we’ll dive into the essential strategies for training, and motivating top sales talent. We’ll also explore how to track and enhance performance through coaching, accountability, and key sales metrics.

By the end of this 60-minute session, you’ll have actionable techniques to develop a motivated and results-driven sales team, setting the foundation for sustainable growth in your home furnishings store.

Retailing experts from Johnny Janosik Furniture, HomeByMe, Hoot Judkins Furniture, and Wondersign discuss how eCommerce can strengthen your brick-and-mortar business, improve customer convenience, and boost sales.

Experts from Morris Furniture Co. and Howard Lorton Galleries alongside Etymon Group’s HR strategist reveal proven methods to recruit, engage, and retain high-performing sales associates in today’s competitive market.

The Home Furnishings Association’s Resource Center is located in showroom B1050. Visit exhibitors who are retail experts ready to help grow your business with advice and market specials on products and services. Network with peers over coffee and food, and enjoy a variety of seminars that cover the most important aspects of being a competitive retailer in today’s market.

What is Retailer of the Year?
Presented by the Home Furnishings Association, Retailer of the Year is an annual recognition award for the home furnishings industry’s highest achievers. Nominated by the industry and judged by a panel of industry leaders, industry media, retired professionals, and past winners, Retailer of the Year honors winners in several distinct categories: Retailer of the Year, Trailblazer, Emerging Star, Partner, and Manufacturer of the Year.

What are the Pillar Awards?
Presented by the Home Furnishings Association, the Pillar Awards celebrate the home furnishings industry’s highest achievers each year. Nominees are submitted by peers across the industry and evaluated by a panel of respected leaders, media representatives, retired professionals, and past winners. The awards honor excellence in four distinct categories: Retailer of the Year, Trailblazer of the Year, Emerging Star of the Year, and Partner of the Year.