Configura, maker of CET Designer software, announces the keynote presenter, speakers and other details of the 10th annual CET Designer User & Developer Conference being held Nov. 8-9 at The Venetian Hotel and Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

Configura anticipates nearly 500 people – interior designers, dealer principals, software developers and representatives from leading global commercial furniture manufacturers – at the event that has become tradition in the CET Designer community.

“For many of our users, it’s like a big reunion – and for this milestone year, we’re excited to bring the user conference back to where it all began – Las Vegas,” Configura Vice President of Global Customer Experience Tracy Lanning said.

Speakers and presentations

“We’re thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker is Contract magazine’s 2017 Designer of the Year Suzette Subance Ferrier,” Lanning said. “Suzette is one of North America’s leading designers, and her message about how design shapes the workplace will inspire our attendees, many of whom design workspaces themselves.”

A studio design director at New York City-based TPG Architecture, Subance Ferrier, specializes in workspaces that combine sophisticated design sensibility with practical business strategy and application. Her vision and team-centered design instincts have led her to create workplace interiors that reflect the best attributes of her clients – infused with her artful, unique touch.

At the CET Designer User Conference, Subance Ferrier will share insights from some of her favorite projects and inspiration for designing innovative spaces.

“The workplace can transform people, companies and brands,” says Subance Ferrier, whose recent clients have included Time Inc., FCB, Forbes Media and Weber Shandwick/Axis, as well as a new home for the Institute of Culinary Education.

Joining Subance Ferrier as a leading speaker at the conference will be Kadie Yale, editor-in-chief of interiors+sources magazine. Yale will share her expertise and insights on the importance of design through history, including present day. Her presentation will talk about how design impacts – and has been impacted by – technology, scientific studies, globalization and even media coverage.

American Society of Interior Designers’ Susan Wiggins also joins the speakers’ slate. Wiggins, a senior strategic advisor for ASID, will discuss the latest trends and outlook for the A&D community and the contract furniture market.

Other speakers, presenters and workshop leaders include Lisa Blackman, Emily Cooper, Paul Riches, Jason Lund, Donald Stratton, Lorna Marcuzzo, Cate Sword, Tracy Helmus, Abby Stevenson, Kaylie Tucker, Marcos Arizpe, Andreas Ekbom, Brooke Snow, Kelsey DeBruin, Danielle Hirka, Hanna Fägersjö, Emma Johansson, Kendra Steinhaus, Jack Brick, Curtis Kuipers, Yudishtra Selvaratnam and Audrey Moore.

Breakout sessions at the conference include such topics as Budgeting in CET Designer, Management Best Practices, CET Designer Roundtable, IT Best Practices and Hardware for CET Designer, Close the Deal with Live Design, Rebel Design, Intro to Edit Graphics, Putting Plans Together, Advanced Rendering in CET Designer, Intro to CET Designer, CET Designer and Universities, Virtual Reality and 360 Renderings, New Tools Demo, CET Designer and Architecture, Chat with the Programmers, Tips and Tricks from the Help Desk and CET Designer Jeopardy.

“It’s an opportunity to learn new features and best practices from CET Designer pros and industry professionals so you can design faster and more efficiently,” Lanning said.

A number of the sessions are approved for Continuing Education Units by the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC).

Developer conference

In conjunction with the CET Designer User Conference, Configura will also host a developer conference – the third year in a row that Configura has commingled the conferences.

The CET Developer Conference is an opportunity to meet and share experiences with other CET (Configura Extension Technology) developers, explore the CET Developer community and learn about new topics. It’s also an opportunity for designers and developers to get together so they can talk with each other about what’s needed and what’s next in CET Designer.

“Putting users and developers together helps us to shape the future of the software,” Configura Chief Product Officer Nicklas Dagersten said.

An opportunity to have fun, meet others, be creative

Configura infuses its Swedish philosophy of intentional opportunities to meet, mingle and collaborate throughout the conference as a way of inspiring creativity and fresh ideas.

“Innovation requires incubation,” Lanning said, “and we’re pleased to offer Welcome Events as well as a special 10-year anniversary party, plus meals and networking opportunities.”

Attendees can choose from one of four Welcome Events happening Nov. 7: Las Vegas Road Rally, Dessert and a Show, Dinner at Tao or Dinner at Lavo. Then, on Nov. 8, Configura hosts A Night to Remember – an elegant, red-carpet event that encourages guests to dress to the nines and celebrate in the glitz-and-glamour style of Hollywood.

“The night will entertain and be full of fun and surprises – and prizes,” Lanning said.

Registration and costs

The cost for user conference dealer representatives is $475/person and for manufacturer representatives is $775/person. The cost for developer conference attendees is $475/person. Space is limited to the first 450 registrants. People with questions are welcome to contact Configura toll free at 866-922-2200 or by sending an email to hello@configura.com. Register and learn more, including info on hotel room rates, at http://www.configura.com/userconference.

Free subscription to CET Designer

Configura is offering a free, one-year new subscription to CET Designer for each dealer that sends a user to the conference, a value of $1,000. (Extensions not included; offer applies to additional, new subscriptions only, not renewals. Limit of one free subscription per dealership.)

Best of CET Designer Awards

The Best of CET Designer Awards honors best practices in use of the software. Although the awards program is held in conjunction with the user conference, attendance at the conference isn’t required to enter the awards program. Configura will announce details of the 2017 Best of CET Designer Awards and submission process in August.