I learned a lot at this year’s BIFMA 360 Conference. That’s nothing new. The conference is a highlight on my calendar for good reason. It is a chance for the commercial interiors industry to get outside of its normal silos and hear from big picture speakers about things like creativity, sustainability, neurodiversity, AI and the economy.

All of these topics are presented in a way that the executive leadership who attends the 360 can take back to their companies and use. I’ve been a fan of the 360 for many years. It is one of few events on the industry calendar when you actually have time to just chat with folks in a casual way. Chats happen between sessions, at joint luncheons and sometimes over a cocktail at the hotel bar. It also happens during the always-fun “speed dining” session on the opening night where attendees are forced to move from table to table during dinner, meaning you eat a starter with a different group than the main and you eat desert with yet another table. It’s a great way to meet new people and further forces us out of our cliques.

This year’s conference, hosted at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and Golf Club in Carlsbad, California, embraced the theme of “Creative Curiosity.” An impressive lineup of speakers challenged a record-breaking audience of more than 200 executives representing leading furniture and textile manufacturers, major suppliers, and key industry players. Attendees also included leadership from design organizations like IIDA and ASID, as well as trade show organizers, technology partners, and dealer groups.

The conference focused on creativity, innovation, sustainability, and the future of business. Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation at Disney, delivered a high-energy keynote on fostering creativity by eliminating barriers and encouraging a “yes, and” mindset. Andrew Winston emphasized the financial and ethical necessity of sustainability, warning of economic risks if environmental concerns are ignored. Tara Cunningham highlighted the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace, urging companies to create inclusive office designs. Economic insights from Todd Buchholz painted a picture of uncertainty, dubbing the current era the “Age of Anxiety.” Lital Marom explored the power of AI and how businesses must embrace technology to stay competitive. The event concluded with David Shing’s vision of the digital future, offering strategies for leveraging technology in branding and business growth.

It has always been said that the commercial interiors industry runs on relationships. I believe that to be true. So what I like most about the event is meeting new people and developing the relationships I already have. Without embarrassing anyone or breaking their trust, here are a few things I learned at the 360, beyond the speakers:

MillerKnoll Contract Business Group President Chris Baldwin likes a good pair of sneakers. He appreciated my Eames Office x Reebok Club C 85 ‘Compo’ shoes that feature a graphic-print inspired by a 1939 composition painting by Ray Eames that I wore throughout the conference.

Angus Blaiklock, director of Australian furniture maker Baresque, is into music and so am I. When I asked him to recommend a band that he likes, but we probably haven’t heard of here in the U.S., he didn’t hesitate and told me to check out the Teskey Brothers. I did and so should you. It’s a fantastic recommendation.

Indiana Furniture President and CEO Max Verkamp went to Notre Dame and was in the same class (and was friends) with one of my best friends from high school. Max was disappointed by the results of the college football National Championship, as you might imagine.

Speaking of football fans, I learned INDEAL President and industry veteran Mark Rhoades is a big Kansas City Chiefs fan, but not nearly as much as his wife, Amy. The couple was anxiously following the game at the hotel before the conference started and pleased to see their favorite team make the Super Bowl.

THE MART’s Byron Morton is a serious mountain biker. Ask him about it and he will show you pictures of his adventures on mountain biking trails around the country. He finds mountain biking a great way to unwind after a long week at THE MART.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. The BIFMA 360 Conference is a serious event with world-class speakers, but to get the most out of the gathering (or any conference for that matter), it pays to focus on the friends you make and the conversations you have.

I hope to see all of you next year at the BIFMA 360 Conference, set for Jan. 26-28 at The Vinoy in St. Petersburg, Fla.