UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
& OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH TRACEE LIVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
stay tuned… more events coming soon!
The Human Advantage: Why Understanding People Is Your Greatest Competitive Edge
IWCE 2027 welcomes Keynote Speaker Tracee Murphy, The Design Biz Therapist, for “The Human Advantage” – a powerful look at how understanding human behavior can transform leadership, communication, customer relationships and business results.
The Human Advantage: What AI Can’t Replace
OCTOBER 2026
In this thought-provoking session, Tracee explored the intersection of psychology, emotional intelligence, and emerging technology. While AI can improve efficiency and support creativity, trust, empathy, communication, and relationship-building remain the true drivers of client loyalty and business success.
The Psychology of Luxury: Why Clients Buy, Resist & Say Yes
OCTOBER 2026
Selling luxury isn't about convincing clients to spend more. It's about understanding what makes them say yes. At High Point Market, in a session sponsored by Studio Designer, Tracee explored the psychology behind luxury buying decisions, from the emotions that drive purchases to the hesitation that can hold clients back. Designers discovered how to build trust, communicate their value and navigate money conversations with confidence, all without feeling like they're selling.
What's New, What’s Next 2026 at NYDC
SEPTEMBER 2026
Tracee joined LUXE Interiors + Design Editor-in-Chief Jill Cohen and designers Megan Gorelick and Georgia Zikas at Burton James for a conversation about the psychology behind running a successful design business. The panel explored how emotional intelligence can help designers navigate client relationships, lead stronger teams and build more resilient businesses.
2026 WithIt Professional Conference
AUGUST 2026
Emotional intelligence can be a powerful tool for navigating conflict, strengthening relationships and becoming a more effective leader. At the WITHIT Professional Conference – one of the home furnishings industry's leading events for professional development and leadership growth – Tracee explored the psychology behind challenging conversations and shared practical strategies professionals can use to improve communication, collaboration and client relationships.
Vanguard Design Visionary Retreat | Psychology of Design
JUNE 2026
Tracee returned as a speaker at Vanguard Furniture's exclusive Design Visionary Retreat – her third appearance at this invitation-only event. One of two speakers (along with the editor of Business of Home), she led sessions on the psychology of design and business growth, sharing insights on sales, problem-solving and creating exceptional client experiences.
To-The-Trade Podcast | Psychology of Design
MAY 2026
Tracee Murphy joined Laurie Laizure, founder of The Interior Design Community, for a conversation about psychology for smarter design firms. Drawing on her degree in psychology and more than 25 years of experience running a successful interior design business, Tracee shares how emotional intelligence can help designers become stronger leaders, better understand client behavior, communicate more effectively, and build more profitable, sustainable firms.
The Quiet Yes: How Luxury Design Sells Through Emotion
APRIL 2026
We’ve all experienced it: a client says “I love it” but then doesn’t move forward. Tracee explored what’s really happening in these moments and why luxury clients don’t make decisions the way we think they do. It’s all a matter of psychology – designers aren’t struggling with design… they’re navigating human behavior.
Design Edge | Systems that Save Your Profit Margin
MARCH 2026
Tracee appeared on both the main stage Manufacturers Panel and a panel for designers about profit margins, where she dove into the psychology of money and how it impacts pricing discussions. Design Edge is a highly curated, trade-only event bringing together some of the best home furnishing and kitchen and bath brands in North America.
Design Edge | Manufacturer Panel
Design Edge is a highly curated, trade-only event featuring the best Home Furnishing and Kitchen & Bath brands in North America. The only designer event of its kind, Design Edge brings leading designer-centric manufacturers to premium markets throughout the country to connect with the region’s designers and tastemakers.
March 24 | 4 pm – Manufacturer Panel
International Design Source Naples
FEBRUARY 2026
Tracee explored the psychological factors that influence designers' brand loyalty and specification decisions, helping attendees better understand how trust, alignment and emotional intelligence shape industry relationships.
Designers Today | Sip & Flip
One of our own Trade Mark Interiors team members, Casey Liptak, has been selected for Designers Today’s inaugural 40 Under 40 list! This honor recognizes rising stars across the country who are making a meaningful impact in the industry.
Her professional excellence, leadership, and contributions to the field truly stand out. The full list of honorees will appear in our October issue, and we’re so excited to feature her among them.
We’d also love to celebrate with her in person at our first-ever Sip & Flip event during High Point Market. The event will take place on Sunday, October 26, from 4–6 p.m. at Suites at Market Square. It will be a fun evening of networking, conversation, and recognition for both our 40 Under 40 honorees and Power List designers.
Suites at Market Square
RSVP: https://web.cvent.com/event/694c65fe-4d54-4c8e-9e73-5e7ca97bd196/regProcessStep1
The Psychology of Selling Luxury | CEU Class @ High Point Market
Presented by Tracee Murphy, acclaimed interior designer, speaker, and industry thought leader at the intersection of psychology and design, this dynamic IDCEC-approved CEU workshop explores what motivates the affluent client and reveals the psychology and strategies that turn high-value prospects into loyal relationships. Attendees will discover what luxury truly means to today’s consumer, how to build credibility, and how to attract and nurture high-end clientele. Murphy is the CEO and Principal Designer of Trade Mark Interiors, founder of The Designer Launch educational platform, and is widely known as the Design Biz Therapist—blending her expertise in interior design with insights into human psychology.
Earn a CEU for attending this class!
Vanguard Furniture Co Inc | Hamilton Wrenn North | Shuttle Stop: 18 (Red Line)
PAST EVENTS
Skip Therapy This Week
WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEXT
SEPTEMBER 2026
Tracee joined LUXE Interiors + Design Editor-in-Chief Jill Cohen and designers Megan Gorelick and Georgia Zikas at Burton James for a conversation about the psychology behind running a successful design business. The panel explored how emotional intelligence can help designers navigate client relationships, lead stronger teams and build more resilient businesses.
EQ as a Superpower
WITHIT
AUGUST 2026
Emotional intelligence can be a powerful tool for navigating conflict, strengthening relationships and becoming a more effective leader. At the WITHIT Professional Conference – one of the home furnishings industry's leading events for professional development and leadership growth – Tracee explored the psychology behind challenging conversations and shared practical strategies professionals can use to improve communication, collaboration and client relationships.
Psychology of Design
VANGUARD RETREAT
JUNE 2026
Tracee returned as a speaker at Vanguard Furniture's exclusive Design Visionary Retreat – her third appearance at this invitation-only event. One of two speakers (along with the editor of Business of Home), she led sessions on the psychology of design and business growth, sharing insights on sales, problem-solving and creating exceptional client experiences.
The Psychology of Connection
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN SOURCE NAPLES
FEBRUARY 2026
The Psychology of Connection: Building Better Relationships with Vendors
Tracee explored the psychological factors that influence designers' brand loyalty and specification decisions, helping attendees better understand how trust, alignment and emotional intelligence shape industry relationships.
The Psychology of Color
BENJAMIN MOORE, HIGH POINT MARKET
OCTOBER 2025
Psychology of Design
TO-THE-TRADE PODCAST
MAY 2026
Tracee Murphy joined Laurie Laizure, founder of The Interior Design Community, for a conversation about psychology for smarter design firms. Drawing on her degree in psychology and more than 25 years of experience running a successful interior design business, Tracee shares how emotional intelligence can help designers become stronger leaders, better understand client behavior, communicate more effectively, and build more profitable, sustainable firms.
Systems That Save Your Profit Margin
DESIGN EDGE
MARCH 2026
Tracee appeared on both the main stage Manufacturers Panel and a panel for designers about profit margins, where she dove into the psychology of money and how it impacts pricing discussions. Design Edge is a highly curated, trade-only event bringing together some of the best home furnishing and kitchen and bath brands in North America.
The Psychology of Interior Design
DALLAS MARKET
JUNE 2025
The Psychology of Interior Design
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE | HIGH POINT MARKET
NOVEMBER 2025
This session explored how the psychology of interior design directly impacts client relationships, decision-making, and business success. Attendees gained insight into how color influences emotion, how belief systems shape buying behavior, and how designers can approach pricing and money conversations with greater confidence and clarity. The discussion focused on building trust, managing feedback, and understanding the emotional drivers behind client choices, all with the goal of creating a more aligned, profitable, and fulfilling design practice.
Why Interior Designers Need Psychology to Succeed
DESIGN DASH PODCAST
AUGUST 2025
Psychology of Design
DESIGN DASH + VANGUARD FURNITURE
HIGH POINT MARKET
APRIL 2025
Psychology of Selling Luxury
A WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS
W/ LUANN NIGARA
APRIL 2025
Psychology of Conflict Management
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE
HIGH POINT MARKET
OCTOBER 2024
The Quiet Yes: How Luxury Design Sells Through Emotion
FEIZY RUGS
HIGH POINT MARKET
APRIL 2026
We’ve all experienced it: a client says “I love it” but then doesn’t move forward. Tracee explored what’s really happening in these moments and why luxury clients don’t make decisions the way we think they do. It’s all a matter of psychology – designers aren’t struggling with design… they’re navigating human behavior.