How to Kill Creativity and Innovation
(with some useful tips towards the end)
Chris Stulpin, Chief Creative Officer, Darrow Martial Creative

Chris will share his experience of leading a billion-dollar business unit’s innovation roadmap. What went right. What went wrong. Pick up ideas that you can take away to nurture creativity and innovation in your business.

US Macroeconomic Regime & Outlook
Stuart Paul, US Economist, Bloomberg Economics

Despite analysts’ expectations for slowdown in US economic growth, both the consumer economy and broader economy have proven to be resilient. But what can we expect in the year ahead? Stuart will discuss the outlook for domestic economic growth, investment and interest rate policy through 2025. He will also discuss potential consequences that the upcoming national elections could have on trade and industrial policy.

ACT Survey Results: Textile Specifier Behavior and Sampling Needs
Karla the Losen, Research Consultant
Eduardo Elizondo, ACT Board Member

In response to numerous member requests, the ACT Board of Directors is bringing back a signature session. Springboarding from the contract textile sampling research that was previously conducted through a partnership with Interior Design, the board hired industry research consultant Karla the Losen to conduct a fresh and updated survey of textile specifiers. The board designed the questions to probe issues of particular importance to our membership—revealing insights, trends and opportunities. Eduardo will join Karla in a presentation of the results and analysis.

Extended Producer Responsibility: How the Mattress Industry Closed the Loop
Ryan Trainer, Past President, International Sleep Products Association and Mattress Recycling Council

Like furniture, mattresses are large, bulky items made from a range of materials—including textiles. And like the ISPA, the commercial furniture and textile industry will at some point need to respond to EPR legislation. Since 2015, state mattress recycling programs have recycled nearly 13 million mattresses and box-springs. Ryan was at the helm of the association and council that enacted, funded and implemented these programs leading to a sustainability win! Let’s find out how they did it.

Weaving Comfort: The Role of Textiles in Healing Environments
Moderator: Jill Joseph, CHID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, EDAC, Manager, Health A&D Strategy, Kimball International
Panelists:
Amy Mays, IIDA, LEED AP, EDAC, Associate Vice President/Director, Interiors, HDR
Laura Morris, CHID, IIDA, LEED AP, Lean Green Belt,
Practice Leader, Principal, Perkins&Will
Rika Gunawan, NCIDQ, LEED AP, IIDA, Interiors Team Lead, E4H Architecture

Jill will lead three expert panelists in a dynamic discussion on the transformative role of textiles in healthcare and senior living. They will explore how thoughtful selection and design enhance patient comfort, safety and well-being. Among the topics: material choices, aesthetics, patient experience, cleanliness, durability and sustainability. Learn ways that innovative textile applications help create therapeutic spaces.

Keynote Address
Crack the Code: 3D Communication Strategies for Powerful Results
Pamela Barnum, Trust and Nonverbal Communication Expert

Most of our communication is nonverbal, and we miss more than half of the conversation when we ignore what is not being said. Learn the secret second language reserved for communication experts and law enforcement to communicate confidence, elevate influence, and improve negotiation outcomes.

Learn how to:
• Display calm confidence and trustworthiness in every situation. Use nonverbal cues to regulate how others perceive you.
• Decode nonverbal cues with certainty. Understand what is being communicated, regardless of the words used.
• Detect deception with greater accuracy using science-backed techniques. Confidently assess verbal and nonverbal misrepresentation indicators, bluffing, and lies in real time.

Chris Stulpin, Chief Creative Officer, Darrow Martial Creative

A leader of Design Thinking initiatives, Chris works closely with the architecture and design community and is a consultant for leading manufacturers. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Momentum Textiles and Wallcoverings and Hero Flooring.  Chris started his own consulting business, Darrow Martial Creative, in 2021. In his former role as Chief Creative Officer for Walker Zanger and also Tarkett North America, Chris led design, product management, marketing and project management teams—driving their innovation roadmap and customer experience journey. Chris completed studies in design thinking fundamentals at the Paris School of Architecture’s D School and studies in innovation at the London Business School.

cdstulpin@icloud.com

Stuart Paul, US Economist, Bloomberg Economics

Covering the US and Canadian economies for Bloomberg Economics, Stuart provides forecasts, research and analysis for investment professionals. He previously worked as a macroeconomist for Thiel Macro, LLC—a discretionary macro hedge fund in Los Angeles. Stuart started his career as a financial services policy analyst at Washington Analysis, LLC, where he analyzed the industry-level and financial market implications of regulatory and monetary policy changes. Stuart completed his doctorate in economics at George Mason University, where he also taught macroeconomics and econometrics. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics from New York University.

spaul184@bloomberg.net

Ryan Trainer, Past President, International Sleep Products Association and Mattress Recycling Council

As immediate past president of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), Ryan led the U.S.-based trade association committed to enhancing the growth, profitability, and reputation of the mattress industry. He is also past president at the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), a non-profit organization focused on the development and implementation of state mattress recycling laws. He joined ISPA in 2002, serving as executive VP and general counsel, and previously was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Clifford Chance LLP, a global law firm. Ryan earned his law degree from George Washington University and his BA in Economics from the University of Colorado.

rtrainer@sleepproducts.org

Karla the Losen, Research Consultant

A business leader who collaborates with design-driven brands, Karla focuses primarily on user experience, market research, innovation, sustainability, and health & wellness for a variety of industries: office furniture, home furnishings, housewares, juvenile products and textiles. She has a keen ability to connect with consumers, understand their needs, and develop business strategies. Karla has held leadership roles at Knoll, Poppin, OXO / OXO Tot, and is a founder of Savor. Throughout her diverse career she has excelled at bringing award-winning, beloved brands to market. Karla earned her MBA from Columbia University and her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.

karlathelosen@gmail.com

Jill Joseph, CHID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, EDAC, Manager, Health A&D Strategy, Kimball International

With more than 30 years’ experience in planning and design, Jill teams with healthcare systems nationwide and internationally. She presents in-depth research and facilitates CEUs focused on the built environment. Using her background in evidence-based design and a continuous improvement philosophy, she facilitates conversations with clients to enhance outcomes for patients, families, and caregivers. Jill is past president of the Women in Healthcare D.C. Chapter and serves on the Advisory Board of the Interior Design Program at Michigan State University. She holds an MBA and undergraduate degree in Interior Design.

jill.joseph@kimballinternational.com

Amy S. Mays, IIDA, LEED AP, EDAC, Associate Vice President / Director, Interiors, HDR

Amy is responsible for marketing, planning and design of specialized health, science and workplace projects. Working in close collaboration with her clients, her approach is an integrated process that weaves together the disciplines of planning, architecture, and interior design. She satisfies complex project requirements and maximizes opportunities to create humane spaces, positively influencing people’s experiences at a time when they may be especially vulnerable. Amy has worked nationwide and internationally with leading industry clients that include Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, NYU Langone Health, MD Anderson, and Kaiser Permanente. She served as president for IIDA’s New York Chapter, New York Building Congress co-chair, Women in Healthcare New York Chapter program chair.

amy.mays@hdrinc.com

Laura Morris, CHID, IIDA, LEED BDC, Lean Green Belt, Practice Leader, Principal, Perkins&Will

With more than 25 years’ healthcare experience as both a designer and lead planner, Laura brings a holistic approach to each project. Her design expertise coupled with her leadership skills help guide teams to successful outcomes. As a practice leader for Perkins&Will, she is responsible for mentoring staff to meet their goals and vision for the future of healthcare design. As a LEED accredited professional, Laura has contributed significantly to LEED Platinum projects (e.g., healthcare facilities, outpatient renovations and new construction). Her clients include the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, New York Presbyterian Hospital and NYU Langone Health.

laura.morris@perkinswill.com

Rika Gunawan, NCIDQ, LEED AP, IIDA, Interior Design Team Lead, E4H Environments for Health Architecture

With more than 20 years’ experience in interior design, Rika focuses on healthcare and hospitality environments. She oversees projects from concept through delivery, balancing cost, safety, durability, and aesthetics to ensure each project meets the unique needs of its users. She is passionate about implementing holistic design solutions that enhance the experiences of patients, visitors, and caregivers, while reflecting the diverse communities they serve. Rika graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she majored in Fiber Arts and Interior Design.

rika.gunawan@e4harchitecture.com

Pamela Barnum, Trust and Nonverbal Communication Expert

With decades of experience in the criminal justice system as both an undercover cop and a federal prosecuting attorney, Pamela shares real-world techniques and strategies to negotiate, influence, and build trust through intentional communication and nonverbal cues.

Pamela spent more than a decade in drug enforcement doing deep undercover work. Her success was dependent on establishing trust with some of the most dangerous people imaginable. This was followed up by a career as a federal prosecuting attorney, where she spent countless hours in the courtroom, perfecting her proficiency as a trust strategist and communications expert.

Having studied corporate negotiations in graduate school, Pamela now shares her expertise, teaching communication skills to increase trust inside corporations, associations, and law enforcement agencies. She blends actionable strategies with memorable stories in a presentation filled with humor, candor, and energy.

A frequently featured expert in print media and broadcast news programs in Canada and the US, Pamela has also delivered two TEDx talks that garnered praise and interest from around the world.

pamela@pamelabarnum.com

Arc-Com
Amanda Eaton
Ki-Yeoun Kim
Marc Layne
Marisa Pichigian
Jane Riback
Francesca Robledo

Architex
Lauren Williams

Bernhardt Textiles
Megan Devine
Susan Green
Kathrin Hagge

Brentano
Allen Chen
Matthew Muccino

Carnegie
Mary Holt
Landon Smith

C.F. Stinson
Shannon Picklesimer
Lori Roop
Anna Stinson

Charles Samelson
Phil Landau
Maria Rodriguez

Designtex
Carol Derby
Deidre Hoguet
Andrea Langlais
Owen Lasko
Claire Mann
Patrick McNulty
Sandy Morales
Teesha Prezeau
Elizabeth Sanzari
Catherine Stowell
Haylie Werhanowicz
Anne Zampella

Fabricut Contract
Valerie Hamroff
Julia Rodriguez Dalton

Gabriel
Maegan Amato
Tobin Anderson
Cindy Schleh

HBF Textiles
Matthew Esposito
Forest Kane
Heather Murphy
Dusty Thompson

KB Contract Textiles
Brooke Kahn

Kravet Contract
Megan Ayers
Karen Keating
Ian Schwartz

Kvadrat
Shawn Cook
Kelly Queen
Jenna Klein

LDI Interiors
Josh Dame
Karen Donaghy
Cecilia Staniec

Lebatex
Dawn Ludwig

Luum Textiles
Jane Ardielli
Andrea Babb
Sasha Grigorieff
Carl Lindsey
Melanie Roven
Honrina Rozario
Daniela Tonini
Dave White

Maharam
Nina Chidichimo
Sabarish Janardanan
Betsy Phillips
Christina Russo

Mayer Fabrics
Maggie Mayer
Rob Mayer
Kristy Stroh

Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
Leo Bushell
Paul Cleary
Eduardo Elizondo
Julia Gillespie
Lydia Lane
Shantel McGowan

P/Kaufmann Contract
Mark Denecour
Leigh Douglass
Amanda Gallo
Cindy Krewson
Michelle Piccora

Paul Brayton Designs
Joel Riley

Pollack
Rachel Doriss
Jenia Myagkov

Posh Textiles
Sarika Shah

Richloom Fabrics
Lauren Pelusio
Robyne Peterson

Thibaut
Kasey Greenwood
Jessica Newman

Valley Forge
Jessica Clancy

Weitzner
Janice Lynch

Wolf-Gordon
Nicole Layne
Michael Loughlin
Frank Marchese
Sierra Neale
Shashi Sirsi

York Wallcoverings
Sharon Becker
Christine Ganse
Luise Stromberg

Davis Furniture
Ashley Williams

Haworth
Liz Johnson
Andrea Nelson
Kris Pierce

Herman Miller
Andrea Haggerty
Kate Roethler

HNI
Hannah McGrath
Marcus Simpao
Kandice Tjebkes

Irwin
Anne Chapman
Alyssa Johnson

Lutron Electronics
Celeste Wells

MillerKnoll
Liz Gibbons

Novawall Systems
Bill Rankin

OFS
Celia Yow

Stylex
Lauren Elliott
Gabrielle Karlis

Teknion
Farnaz Naeiminia

Antex
Pol Berenguer

Applied Textiles
Andrea Hagenow
John Schroeter

Burlington Contract Fabrics
Keith Ogden
John Pierce

Color Communications
Philip Kenyon
Tom Ragen

Crypton
Grainne Coogan
Lisa Craft
Jack Eger
Lisa Hennigar
Nikki Rubalcaba

Culp Contract
Shawn Davé
David Wells

David Rothschild Co.
Kelsey Adams
Walter Rothschild

Dominion Sample
Jacob Edwards

Duvaltex
Martin Bourque
Brent Early
Billy Ford
Allison Lapierre
Irene Miller
Lisa Olson-Wong
Ann Reinhard
Christian Roy
Joel Sergerie
Juliet Terzian
Michele Tung

Enduratex
Bob Ericksen
Jim McKeon
Jeff Post
Kelsey Post

Foresight Management
Amy Robertson

Geo. Sheard Fabrics
Perihan Sheard

Glen Raven
Heather Covert
Susan Goldstein
Tracy Greene

Hopetex
Sarah Wolfe

JB Martin
Michael Benjamin
Robert Lachow

KM Fabrics
Paul Tantillo

Lady Fabrics
Ivy Berman
Jeffrey Irwin

Leslie Jee Textiles
Leslie Jee

Mercato Place
Alison Goldman

Milliken
Peter Dow
Dana Larson
Karen Sawdy
Elizabeth Stuart

MJP Textiles
Michael Paul

Morbern
Roman Laufer
Justyna Pikul
Amanda Wilkins 

MTL
JoMarie Battle
Nina de Vassal
Brian Kunetz
Joy McGruther Alaoui
Erin McHugh
Cigdem Ozturk
Taya Thongyoo

My Resource Library
Laura Carlson

Nassimi
Larry Barbash
Noah Barbash
Joe Filippi
Andreea Flores
Isabella Lomauro
Debbye Lustig
Edward Nassimi
Iwan Nassimi
Elizabeth Schoonfield
Lillian Slate

Omnova
Olivia White

Optimum Textiles
Rob Fazekas
Melissa Mohan

Pointe International
Hoe Jung
Ed Marquez
Moira Murray
Naoko Tanabe

Rohleder
Matthew Mackenzie

Rose Brand
Joe Leduc

Sattler
Laura Adams
Ari Gasner

SGS North America
Greg Gutsko
Sarah Lee

Spradling
Deborah Lanzner
Eric Petersen

Suzanne Tick, Inc.
Suzanne Tick

Texind
Vikas Churiwalla
Dean Shull

The Mitchell Group
Michael Fisch
Viktor Marinov
Roslyn Muney

Thoroughbred Fulfillment
Ray Sayers

Trevira CS
Celeste Ramsey

TSG Finishing
Michael Goldman
Brian Rosenstein

Ultrafabrics
Jeremy Brown
Amanda Bylsma
Julio Cobos
Jennifer Hendren
Md Tanjim Hossain
Janet Kuntz
Jillian Love
Danielle O’Kane
Sergio Prosperino

Unifi
Chad Bolick

Valdese Weavers Contract
Amy Baldwin
Gregory Battreall
Rosemary Harley
Jacquelyn London
Ji-hong Park
Crystal Sigmon
Bill Snyder

Vartest Laboratories
Trevor Trapp

Vescom Textiles
Luciana Iwamoto
Jason Romero
Christine Wekilsky

VIP Samples
Adam Montgomery

Annette Schaich Consulting
Annette Schaich

Arktex
Adity Phadnis

Casey Design & Consulting
Nicole Casey

Dorothy Cosonas Consulting
Dorothy Cosonas

Duncan Whitehead, Inc.
Duncan Whitehead

Elisabeth Karp Consulting
Elisabeth Karp

Ellen Shultz Consulting
Ellen Shultz

Janet Hild Design
Janet Hild

Kimberle Frost
Kimberle Frost Textiles

Limn + Loom
Geraldine Blanchot Fortier
Veronique Bouche-Rouet

Man of Cloth
Peter Kuklinski

MLB Textile Sales & Design Consulting
Margaret Blum

North Coast Design Studio
Jay Correia

P. Carlton Associates
Robert Carlton

Rowan Consulting Group
John Rowan

Caroline Ollivier
Caroline Ollivier

Bloomberg Economics
Stuart Paul

Darrow Martial Creative
Chris Stulpin

E4H Architecture
Rika Gunawan

HDR
Amy Mays

ISPA & MRC
Ryan Trainer

Karla the Losen LLC
Karla the Losen

Keynote Speaker
Pamela Barnum

Kimball International
Jill Joseph

Perkins&Will
Laura Morris

ACT
Janan Rabiah
Lynne Willis

Gerald Forster Studio
Gerald Forster

JW Writing
Judy Wood

Volunteers
Jennifer Rabiah

C&C Milano
Dagy Huskic

EDPA USA
Alp Benedrete
Elyse Berkman

M.E. Textiles
Mindy Marcus

Chase Taylor Studio
Chase Taylor

Vanelli Textile
Mevlut Baydar

Anzea
Arc-Com
Architex
Bernhardt Textiles
Brentano
Burch
C.F. Stinson
Camira Group
Carnegie
Charles Samelson
Chilewich

Concertex
Designtex
Ennis Fabrics
Fabricut Contract
Gabriel
Guilford of Maine
HBF Textiles
KB Contract
Knoll Textiles
Kravet Contract
Kvadrat

LDI Interiors
Lebatex
Luum Textiles
Maharam
Mayer Fabrics
Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
Optimum Textiles
P/Kaufmann Contract
Pallas Textiles
Paul Brayton Designs

Pindler
Pollack
Posh Textiles
Richloom Fabrics Group
Somato Textiles
Standard Textile
Thibaut
United Fabrics
Valley Forge Fabrics
Weitzner
Wolf-Gordon

Davis Furniture
Form Furniture
Global Furniture Group
Gus* Design Group
Haworth
HNI

Humanscale
Irwin
Keilhauer
Lutron Electronics
Medline Industries
MillerKnoll

Novawall Systems
OFS
Room & Board
Rose Brand
SitOnIt Seating
Steelcase

Stylex
Teknion
Unika Vaev

American Flamecoat
Antex
Applied Textiles
Aquafil O’Mara
Bartson Fabrics
Burlington Contract Fabrics
Color Communications
Crypton
Culp Contract
David Rothschild
Diversified Testing Laboratories
Dominion Sample
Duvaltex

Enduratex
Europatex
Foresight Management
Geo. Sheard Fabrics
Glen Raven
Heritage Textiles
Hopetex
JB Martin
KM Fabrics
Lady Fabrics
Leslie Jee Textiles
Majilite
Mercato Place
Milliken

Morbern
MTL
My Resource Library
Nassimi
Neon Textiles
Omnova
Pointe International
Rohleder
Sattler
SCS Global Services
SGS North America
Sileather
Spradling
Suzanne Tick

Swavelle
Symphony Mills
Texind
The Mitchell Group
Thoroughbred Fulfillment
Trevira
TSG Finishing
Ultrafabrics
Unifi
Valdese Weavers Contract
Vartest Laboratories
Vescom
VIP Samples
York Wallcoverings

Margaret Blum
Robert Carlton
Nicole Casey
Jay Correia
Dorothy Cosonas
Geraldine Blanchot Fortier

Kimberle Frost
Dawn Hettrich
Janet Hild
Elisabeth Karp
Peter Kuklinski
Caroline Ollivier

Michael Paul
Adity Phadnis
Kelly Picard
Amy Pisansky
John Rowan
Annette Schaich

Ellen Shultz
Eugene van Veldhoven
Duncan Whitehead
Kenneth Wolf
MaryPaul Yates
Anna Zaharakos