Design Guide: The Source for interior design products, services and fine home furnishings.

Inspire! 2010 Home

SPEAKERS: Cynthia Leibrock  | Michael Thomas  | Lori Weitzner  | Karla Nielson  | Serena Cole 

Michael Thomas, FASID, CAPS

2010 – 2011 National ASID President

Michael A. Thomas is the President of The DESIGN Collective Group, Inc., a multi-faceted hybrid design/build firm with a special interest in creating environments that are functional, practical and accessible to anyone, no matter age or ability. He is a licensed interior designer in Florida, has passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam and is a “Certified Aging In Place” (CAPS) specialist. Michael holds memberships in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

Michael’s interior design projects have been published in various media, honored with a cover and profile story in Interiors + Sources Magazine and was featured on the TV program “Outrageous Beach Homes” on the Travel Channel. In addition, Michael has been interviewed by Time, Consumer Reports and Dwell magazines on the importance of creating barrier free living environments for an aging population.

He has written numerous trade-related articles about the interiors profession and on the business of design for several to-the-trade magazines. His ASID webinar on business strategies last year attracted nearly 500 participants from all parts of the country. And his first book, Residential Design for Aging In Place has been well received by interior designers, builders and architects across the country.

Michael is a dedicated ASID volunteer, joining the organization in 1983. He has been the Florida South Chapter President, the ASID Chapter Support Team Chair, ASID chapter strategic planning counselor, selected as the first chair of the ASID Council on Aging In Place.

He has previously served three years on the National Board of Directors for ASID with one year as Director with Financial Oversight. In 2004 he was honored by his ASID peers with the designation of Fellow of the Society. Michael has been elected to serve as ASID’s National President, leading the organization’s 40,000 members beginning October 1 of 2010. Michael recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and is in the process of opening his showroom at the Scottsdale 68 Design District.

Survival Techniques for the Small Design Firm 

There is no doubt that the effects of the recent economic challenges have  
affected the interior design community.  And there will be even more fallout as the economy continues on a slow path to recovery.  But this is not the time for designers to retreat.  This is a time for planning and development of the business to adapt to a new world and a new culture for the interiors profession. 

To address these challenging times, it is important for the design community to make critical and strategic business choices in order to survive during these leaner times.  In this two hour workshop, discover 10 proven techniques that will can help a design firm to keep the doors open and the lights turned on until business begins to inch forward; and as important, strategically position the firm for the next “new economy.”