Workroom Association of America, LLC
802 N. Robinson Drive • Waco, TX 76706
PH: 254-662-9294 • Fax: 254-662-5478
Welcome to the Speakers Bureau

The Workroom Association of America provides the speakers bureau as a service to the window coverings industry. Speakers manage their own calendar and fees. Contact speakers directly to book speaking engagements.

Lisabeth Martin owns a professional drapery workroom in central Georgia, with 20 years of experience in design, fabrication, and installation, doing both wholesale and retail jobs. Her articles, photos, and window treatments have been published in several magazines, and she is frequently found traveling to teach classes and to exhibit at trade shows. Based on her experience in creating custom patterns in her workroom, she has developed her own professional pattern line, Decorate Now Patterns. In addition to the pattern line, her design and workroom tips can be found at www.DecorateNowPatterns.com. She has also launched a drapery and upholstery forum at www.DraperyForum.com. Lisabeth specializes in teaching window treatment fabrication techniques, with seminar topics including soft cornices, window fashion shows, Kingston valances, and more.


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Karen Erickson has been actively sewing and instructing in the Home Decor Interiors Industry for 21 years. In 2006 she teamed with Claudia Buchanan an associate in the industry to create www.SonoranSewing.com specializing in “Home Décor Sewing Workshops” in Arizona and Washington, plus Online Home Decor Sewing Classes at the “Discover-How2 site” on the Internet which encompasses education to both those in the sewing profession and those who sew for their own pleasure.

In 1986 she started Fine Finishing by Karen a part-time home based business designing and fabricating draperies, slipcovers and other soft fabric accessories. In 1998, her company was became a corporation with a name change to www.SlipcoverAmerica.com. In 1999 www.SlipcoverNetwork.com was born to offer networking support to those who fabricate and love Slipcovers for furniture.

Karen main objective is education. She encourages those new to the field to take classes, learn from those who have been in the industry and who keep up to date in techniques and materials. “If only there were teachers like there are today, I could have avoided some costly set backs when I had my workroom in St Louis.”

Karen continues to work with designers, decorators and retail customers throughout the United States, specializing in ON-Site fabrication ( in customer’s homes). Karen instructs both in the US and Canada doing Seminars/Demonstrations of “how to sew for the home” at fabric stores, for sewing guilds, at professional workrooms, and for ASID groups. 4 years she was on staff at the Custom Home Furnishings Industry in North Carolina and has been workshop instructor at CHF Conferences, International Window Covering Expo, ASG Annual Conference, American Sewing Expo and Original Sewing Expo.

Managing editor of the Slipcover Press a quarterly e-publication of the Slipcover Network and Hot News from Sonoran Sewing Experience a monthly publication. Facilator of the Slipcover Summit and annual education conference for Slipcover Professionals as well as the general public who are interested in being educated in how to sewing slipcovers using various techniques.

Karen has been published in Sew News Magazine, Drapery and Window Coverings, Dreams Alive, Mary Englebreit Home Campanion Magazine, Meet Me in St Louis, St Louis South County Journal, St Louis Home and Garden Magainze, Better Homes and Garden Special Issue, SewWhat Magazine, Homespun Newsletter, and Window Fashions Magazine.


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Jill Stanbro of North Canton, Ohio, has worked in nearly every phase of the window treatment business in the last 28 years. She began by working in a retail workroom, opened her own home-based business, which was both retail and wholesale, but ended up focusing on wholesale only. Over the ensuing years she has owned several different size workrooms, employing as many as seven workers.

For many years Jill was a senior instructor at the CHF Academy, as well as an author of magazine articles, a speaker at CHF Conferences, and WCAA group meetings. In August 2003 she was the featured cover story for the D&WC Magazine.

Dubbed "The Queen of Quick" by her colleagues, Jill is best known for her classes on tips and tricks, as well as her Versatile Swag Pattern and quick and easy valances. Her practical way of looking at projects helps shave valuable fabricating time.

She has now done a 360-degree turnaround and has returned to a home-based workroom and is enjoying being back at the sewing machine - her biggest passion of all of her various "hats."


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Ginny Connor was in the window treatment business for over twelve years. During that time she was not only involved in the creating, manufacturing, and teaching of window fashions, but also closely involved in the management aspect of the business. She experienced the challenges, disappointments, and accomplishments of a very small workroom, a large retail/wholesale showroom and workroom, and the many stages between these two. Ginny wrote numerous articles for the three top industry newsletters and magazines, as well as taught seminars for their national conferences. She occasionally comes out of retirement to share her knowledge with the window covering industry.


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From new to established, from small home-based to larger commercial businesses, I will tailor a presentation to give your organization valuable information and insight into your business covering a variety of business topics such as:

Carlette Cormier has been designing and fabricating window treatments since 1987. She has also proven to be a veteran in the world of competition, receiving seven awards in the Window Fashions Design and Workroom Competitions, including Workroom of the Year in 2004. Her beautiful fabrication and designs have been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Savannah Magazine. Her work has also been published in numerous books, including Window Dressings, Window Top Treatments, Complete Photo Guide to Window Treatments, and Dream Windows.

Minda Fernish began her business in 1980 as a part-time endeavor. It has since grown into a full-time, wholesale operation, specializing in custom draperies and valances. Minda grew up in this business, working in her mother's shop after school. She can still be found helping out whenever needed! Her writings have expanded from family journals to include detailed, how-to articles for the trade. She loves her job and will share her enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience with anyone who will listen!


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Mary Ann Plumlee has been in the window coverings business since 1985. Starting with a $50.00 investment and a home sewing machine, she has expanded her business to include 12 employees. Her workroom serves retail and wholesale accounts. Mary Ann writes the FROM THE WORKROOM column for D&WC Magazine, and is the founder of Workroom Association of America LLC.


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Anita Boetsma has been involved in the window treatment business for over 20 years. Her expertise stems from hands-on experience in all levels of the industry. Anita first entered the home furnishings business in 1986 when she joined her husband Larry in his 3rd generation business on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana. Until 2005, the company specialized in all aspects of interior design, project management, and window treatment and upholstery fabrication. Boetsma Interiors was featured in the August 2003 Draperies and Window Coverings Magazine. In 1994, Anita won a week's schooling at the Custom Home Furnishings School in Swannannoa, North Carolina. Under the tutelage of founder Cheryl Strickland, she learned the basics of window treatment fabrication. Following that experience, Anita added on-site custom fabrication to the company's product mix. Beginning with the 3rd Annual Custom Home Furnishings Conference, Anita taught multiple courses over the next several years. When the Custom Home Furnishings School added Upholstery to their curriculum, Anita created the course materials and taught both the Upholstery 101 and 102 classes. She has written extensively for the Custom Home Furnishings Magazine and has been published in Draperies &Window Coverings Magazine and Upholstery Journal. Over the course of her time at the Custom Home Furnishings School, she also taught the Window Treatments 100, 101, and 102 classes along with numerous specialized weekend seminar classes. In 2003, she became the Marketing Director for the Custom Home Furnishings Industry.

In September of 2005, Anita joined Helser Brothers, Inc. as VP of Operations. She headed their benchmark customer service department and managed day to day functions as well as specialized duties in product development.

Trenia Bell is a designer and the owner of a drapery workroom that specializes in fine hand-finished custom window treatments and bed covers. She has a staff of 12, offers design assistance, and has a wholesale and retail clientele. An active member of Prowindows and Drapery Pro, she gives advice online often. She has given seminars at the IWCE, American Sewing Guild National Convention, and Slipcover Summit. Her writings have appeared in Window Fashions, Sew News, and Threads magazines. Some of the topics she presents are: Pricing Custom Products, Short Course in Textiles, Trims and Linings, Slipcover Construction, Beyond Custom: High-End Couture, Mastering Color and Pattern, Design and Construction With Silk, Design and Proportion of Custom Window Treatments, Beyond Sole Proprietor


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Ray Ward is a nationally recognized authority in the field of credit and collections. His background in credit spans nearly 40 years of successful achievements in the field of credit and receivables management. Ray's career began as a Credit Manager trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co and served in a number of management positions during his 18 years. Ray continued his credit career in the textile and home furnishing industry, serving as Credit Manager and Senior Credit Analyst. Prior to starting National Business Credit Exchange in 2000, Ray held management positions with Carole Fabrics, a subsidiary of The Hunter Douglas Company and Springs Industries. This background provides the basis of understanding for the needs and concerns of the companies selling to the "interiors industry" today. Ray presently serves as Executive Director of National Business Credit Exchange. The goal of the newly formed company was to provide a streamlined exchange of credit information via the internet among member companies that were selling to a common customer base in the interiors trade. The growth has exceeded expectations, processing almost four million accounts through the database each month. Ray consults with some of the major companies in the industry, providing information and direction for the protection of receivables. Ray holds a BA in Business Administration and is a 30-year member of National Association of Credit Management. He also sponsors the Window & Wallcovering Credit Group and the Mid-Atlantic Decorative Fabrics Credit Group. These groups hold meaningful discussions regarding accounts receivable challenges, and enjoy an educational session each meeting. He also works closely with "The Credit Research Foundation."


Chris Nivin is the Regional Sales Manager for a 31-state territory for BTX, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of motorized traversing, roll-up, and lift systems for window coverings. He also is the technical trouble shooter and trainer. Chris has a B.B.A. in Marketing from Midwestern State University. He worked at JCPenney for five years as a facilitator/Trainer and two years at Electronic Data Systems in Business Development.


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Allison Reid is the owner of Draperies By Design, a home-based wholesale and retail workroom in Wake Forest, NC. Allison graduated with a degree in Theatre Education from the University of NC at Greensboro. With a six-year old son and 3½-year old twin girls, she has to be organized and deliberate in the way she tackles projects. Her background in theatre helps her to "improvise" from time to time, finding ways to create illusions with fabric and come up with creative solutions for odd situations or requests.


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Eric Wells is the National Sales Manager for B.D.D. Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of a full line of window coverings. Prior to his current position, he created and was the president of his own retail window covering chain. Eric has over 25 years of window covering experience. Born in England, Eric came to the USA at age 11. He went to school and grew up in Southern California. He now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eric has a varied life experience, having been an immigrant, becoming a citizen, police sergeant, entrepreneur, and even a race car driver.


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Scot Robbins has been involved in the world of custom window treatments for over 20 years. He has owned Scot Robbins Interiors in Nashville, TN since 1994. In 1999, Scot taught his first seminar at the Custom Home Furnishings Conference in Asheville, NC. Since then, Scot Robbins Seminars has brought workroom techniques and inspiring designs to conferences and local design associations across the country.

Also in 1999, Scot became the US distributor for Parkhill International, LTD, a company based in Europe. The company manufactures the "Parkhill Royale Swags and Tails System." Soon after, Scot Robbins & Company was formed, to promote and sell quality workroom equipment to the trade. In 2006, Scot invented and produced the "Workroom Valet," a professional fabrication stand used by drapery workrooms. For the designers he introduced the "Designer's WriteMate", a portable writing surface.

In 2004, Scot was one of three men featured in the SewWhat? Magazine. This article focused on men in the drapery industry. In 2005, Scot was on the cover of Draperies & Window Covering, along with a feature article about him and the business. In 2006, Brian Coleman featured Scot in his new book "Window Dressings." The chapter focused on three homes in the Nashville area. Brain is the Associate Editor of "Old House Interiors" magazine and featured Scot in the profile section in 2006.

Scot Robbins has an Art Degree from Jackson State College, Jackson, TN, and a Design Degree from the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN. Scot participated in the Custom Home Furnishings Artistic Adventure in Atlanta, GA, and the Biltmore Estate Experience in Asheville, NC. He has reached the Master Level of the Window Fashions Certification Program. Scot lives in Nashville with his wife, their two sons, Grant and Clark.


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Scot Robbins is available for seminars covering a wide range of topics. Scot offers seminars focusing on workroom techniques and design styles. You may choose from topics that focus on cornice board construction, swags, cascades, box pleats, roman shades along with a variety of unique window treatments and quick tips for the workroom.

Please contact Scot to discuss a seminar package designed for your specific group!

Mary-Ann Quinn is the owner of MAQ Design, a home-based retail workroom, specializing in design and fabrication of custom window treatments, slipcovers, and upholstery since 1989. Mary-Ann has been a class instructor for the CHF Conferences, contributing writer for the CHF Magazine, is a member of the CHF Magazine Advisory Board, and WCAA national and regional chapter. Mary-Ann brings a lifelong of sewing skills to MAQ Design. . .where quality counts and details make the difference.


Debbie Green is an energetic and inspiring speaker with a great passion for our industry. Her seminars are very diverse with topics ranging from QuickBooks, computer skills, photography, measuring, organization and systematizing. In fact, she will give you the inspiration you need to commit to devoting small amounts of time each week on systems that will begin to change your business. Her businesses are built on the philosophy "Systematize your business, by doing the same thing the same way." Debbie is also a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and has been conducting QuickBooks seminars to help Interior Designers and Window Treatment Professionals to use QuickBooks to the fullest extent.

Patricia Sprinkle is currently the Executive Editor for Southwest Publishing Group, LLC. She is also the Director of Communications for Workroom Association of America, LLC. Patricia is the former Managing Editor of SewWHAT? Magazine and Lifestyles Editor of The Waynesville Mountaineer Newspaper. She has over 15 years' experience in public relations and marketing for several nonprofit organizations.


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