Sunbrella customers, trade partners share ideas for global innovation

Two-day event launches Concept Gallery

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 4/4/2012 9:04:00 AM

GLEN RAVEN, N.C. — Glen Raven launched its new Concept Gallery last week with a two-day special event that focused on the latest thinking concerning global innovation. More than 40 Glen Raven customers and trade partners took part in the event at Glen Raven's corporate headquarters, attending keynote addresses and workshops and sharing perspectives on future innovations.
Concept Gallery"This event gave me several new ideas that we can apply in our business right away," said George Jordan, president of Miles Talbott, a furniture manufacturer. "The Concept Gallery will be a great resource for our future work with Glen Raven. It's wonderful the way this program has brought so many innovative thinkers together in one place."
Charles Munroe, chief operating officer of TUUCI, an innovative shade products company, said: "Glen Raven is a great collaboration partner as we develop innovative new products. This event was an ideal opportunity to bring people together for the sharing of new ideas and the latest trends."
The Concept Gallery at Glen Raven is designed as a center for innovation in partnership with Glen Raven's customers, trade partners and associates. Within the Gallery, are displays of more than 150 different Glen Raven products, along with other resources to promote collaboration. The Gallery opening event was designed to showcase this new resource and to promote the sharing of new ideas.
"Companies that continue to pursue innovation and collaboration will continue to be successful in today's global economy," said Allen E. Gant Jr., president of Glen Raven. "Our Concept Gallery is visible evidence of our commitment to innovation and to working closely with all of our partners."
Glen Raven's Concept Gallery is managed by Paige Mullis, who serves as curator and as director of concept development.
"The mission of the Gallery is to encourage discovery, inspiration and creation in products and services," Mullis said. "From our opening event, it is clear that our customers, partners and associates are embracing this mission and are eager to be a part of our vision."
Keynote speakers during the event included Sheri Donghia, an internationally recognized designer, and Emily Pilloton, founder of Project H, which is promoting design studies for high school students with a key project underway in North Carolina. Workshop leaders included Dennis Quaintance, one of the nation's top hospitality executives and an advocate for environmentally responsible design, and Jennifer Appleby, president and chief creative officer for Wray Ward, a creative marketing communications firm.
Other workshop leaders included Tim Quinlan, an economist with Wells Fargo who presented the global economic outlook, and Michael LaGreca, a vice president with Material ConnecXion, a global materials resource database who discussed global sourcing opportunities. Jennifer Lassiter, digital services manager with Bouvier Kelly, discussed social media strategies.