Today with Megan Reilly: Today with Megan Reilly, co-founder and owner of WestEdge Design Fair, LuAnn dives into why designers at every level should stop treating trade shows as shopping trips and start using them as real business development tools. Megan has spent her career on every side of the industry event world, from the Merchandise Mart to Marketing Director of NeoCon and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, to launching her own show on the West Coast in 2013, and she and LuAnn get into how to build relationships with brands that actually go somewhere, the roles beyond "attendee" most designers don't realize they can ask for, and a story about a show-floor connection that turned into an entirely new industry organization. Whether you're brand new to the business or twenty years in, this conversation will change how you show up at your next event. More About Megan Reilly: Megan Reilly is the co-founder and owner of WestEdge Design Fair. Having produced some of the most important events within the design industry, including the Architectural Digest Design Show and NeoCon, Megan relocated to the West Coast from New York City to launch WestEdge Design Fair in 2013. She has extensive experience in brand activations, event management, marketing, programming, project management and public relations. She also covers design and travel for VENÜ Magazine. Ah Ha Moments with Megan Reilly: “Reach gets you seen, but a room gets you remembered." - Megan "What's your gap right now? And maybe don't just attend a trade show or a conference and hope it comes into your path, but see how you can manufacture getting that information during that visit, right?" - LuAnn Connect with Megan Reilly: Website Instagram What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: Boardroom for Creatives ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Audiobook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Episode 1116: NEW SHOW: Juliana Ewer: How Networking and Volunteerism Can be the Biggest Return on Investment for your Business and Your Heart

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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