The Design Influencers Conference was founded in 2011 by Adam Japko, owner and CEO of Esteem Media. Originally launched as the Design Bloggers Conference, it quickly became a go-to for designers looking to network and grow their businesses.
In 2025, Adam passed the torch to industry veterans Kate O’Hara and Nicole Heymer. Under new leadership, the Design Influencers Conference continues to focus on influence—connecting designers and architects directly with the media, and building relationships that lead to press features, awards, and broader brand recognition.
Kate O’Hara is a business advisor and CEO of O’Hara Interiors, a nationally-recognized design firm she has led through a decade of evolution and expansion. As an advisor, she works with founder-led businesses in moments of transition and growth.
Nicole Heymer is a speaker, consultant, and the founder of Glory & Brand, a digital marketing agency specializing in branding, online presence, and search optimization for interior designers and architects.
Why Attend and What You’ll Learn
Sessions at the Design Influencers Conference Cover:
Print Features
Learn what shelter magazine editors are actually looking for and how to get your work in front of the publications—both national and regional—that matter.
Styling for Photoshoots
Discover how to style your spaces so the images you produce are ones editors want to publish.
Podcasts & Speaking Engagements
Find out how to position yourself as a compelling guest or speaker and get booked on the shows and stages that reach your audience.
Television
Understand what producers need from designers for everything from HGTV-style shows to local news lifestyle segments.
Winning Awards
Hear directly from jurors and past winners about how submissions are evaluated and what it takes to stand out.
Licensing Your Work
Explore how to turn your design aesthetic into a revenue stream by partnering with brands to create licensed product collections.
Getting a Book Deal
Learn how the publishing world works, what agents and editors want from designers, and how to build a platform that makes you a compelling author.
Social Media Collaborations
Understand how to identify and structure partnerships with brands and fellow creatives that grow your audience and credibility.
Personal Branding
Get clear about where you stand within the design industry by creating a unique brand identity, using storytelling techniques, and positioning yourself as an authority.
Building Brand & Media Relationships
Learn the long game of how to position your firm so that the right media outlets and brands come to you.
Who Should Attend?
Interior designers, architects, traditional and digital design media, design brands, and design industry leaders.
- Interior Designers
- Architects
- Editors, Scouts, Producers, and Journalists
- Luxury Home Brands, Suppliers, and Manufacturers
- Custom Home Builders
- Landscape Architects
- Home Design Market Centers
Contact Us
For inquiries on speaking opportunities, registration, travel logistics, sponsorships, or any other assistance.
