ABOUT MB
MARLABAKER.CA provides sales, consulting and business development services
for the Design Industry.
Founder Marla Baker, is a recognized Design Community Advocate and known as a matchmaker in the industry connecting Architects and Designers with the brands, services, events and seminars that are meaningful to them.
MARLABAKER.CA produces results for the companies they represent while supporting and understanding the needs of the Design Community.
Do you want to increase your brand awareness + company exposure?
Contact Marla today!
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MB SHOWS + PUBLICATIONS
MB UPCOMING EVENTS
Don't miss our curated events, seminars + shows !
TRADE ONLY
Exhibitors: August 10 - 12, 2025
Showrooms: August 7 - 14, 2025
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga.
Toronto Market Week Canadas fastest growing B2B tradeshow in the gift, home, and fashion industries, all at The International Centre. Creating the destination for buyers and retailers to source and purchase. Be part of it!
VANCOUVER
SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2025
Vancouver Convention Centre West
IDS VANCOUVER RETURNS THIS FALL !
Join North America's premier design platform, where visionary brands converge with an influential community of 25,000 discerning professionals and design enthusiasts. As Canada's definitive platform for contemporary design excellence, establish influential connections and your presence throughout the Pacific Northwest's thriving architecture and design community.
MB PAST EVENTS
TRADE ONLY
Jan 25 to 28 2025
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
Toronto Market Week Canadas fastest growing B2B tradeshow in the gift, home, and fashion industries, all at The International Centre. Creating the destination for buyers and retailers to source and purchase. Be part of it!
The Interior Design Show celebrates and promotes the best in global and Canadian design, from emerging designers to legacy brands. IDS is not just a fair – it’s a total design experience.
JANUARY 23-26, 2025
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North Building
Business of Design® | Run Your Business
Trade Days Seminar: Friday Jan 24
11:00am - 12:00pm, Rm: 201D
Kimberley Seldon
Advocate in Cheif Business of Design
In this seminar, Kimberley Seldon, will teach you to build a profitable business: attract ideal clients, grow wealth, secure payments, standardize contracts, hire and delegate effectively, manage teams confidently, and establish yourself as an expert. Hosted by MARLABAKER.ca
Marla Baker
Founder of MARLABAKER.ca
Note: This session is being submitted for OAA, ARIDO and IDCEC accreditation.
The Interior Design Show celebrates and promotes the best in global and Canadian design, from emerging designers to legacy brands. IDS is not just a fair – it’s a total design experience.
JANUARY 23-26, 2025
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North Building
Thrive in the Age of AI:
Business Strategies to Make Your Design Firm Future-Ready!
Trade Days Seminar: Friday Jan 24
1:00pm - 2:00pm, Rm: 201F
Led by Darilyn Coles, Director at Toronto International Design Centre (TIDC) and hosted by MARLABAKER.ca this session will show you how to harness AI for unstoppable growth.
Learn how to shift your business mindset for the AI era, understand why a clear strategy matters more than ever and build a future-ready business plan.
Darilyn Coles
Director at Toronto
International Design Centre
Marla Baker
Founder of MARLABAKER.ca
Note: This session is being submitted for OAA, ARIDO and IDCEC accreditation.
MB PAST EVENTS 2024
October 26th - 30th, 2024
Saturday, Oct 26th @ 10am - 5pm
HIGH POINT MARKET | Celebrating 20 Years of Business of Design®
Join Kimberley and Team BOD™ at High Point Market on Saturday, October 26th to celebrate 20 years of Business of Design®. A full day of learning and laughing in partnership with Andmore, High Point Market, and Daniel House Club.
Sunday, Oct 26th @ 9am - 11:30am
HIGH POINT MARKET | Financials & Profits: Trick or Treat?
Join Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design®, Alex Spalding of Daniel House Club, Kimberly Powell of Zena, and Heather Ferreras-Tokan of Tokan Interiors, as they share how to banish the financial fears haunting interior designers and turn them into realities of profitability and confidence.
TRADE ONLY
August 11 to 13, 2024
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
Toronto Market Week Canadas fastest growing B2B tradeshow in the gift, home, and fashion industries, all at The International Centre. Creating the destination for buyers and retailers to source and purchase. Be part of it!
Feb 27 to 29 2024 - LAS VEGAS
The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is North America’s largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. KBIS, in conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), is an inspiring, interactive platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies from hundreds of exhibitors.
TRADE ONLY
Jan 28 to Jan 30, 2024
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
Toronto Market Week Canadas fastest growing B2B tradeshow in the gift, home, and fashion industries, all at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Creating the destination for buyers and retailers to source and purchase. Be part of it !
JANUARY 18-21, 2024
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North Building
SEMINAR
Friday, Jan 19th
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
In room 201 C-D
F08: Be the Expert — Run Projects with Confidence
Join Business of Design® Advocate in Chief, Kimberley Seldon, for Be the Expert. Confidence in your expertise is the first step in creating the successful interior design business you deserve and desire. By building confidence, you’ll be able to honor your value, charge appropriate fees and generate profit year after year. From the position of expert, you can confidently offer your talents and skills to the clients you serve, and earn a robust living.
With introduction and Q&A by Marla Baker.
Note: This session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation.
MB PAST EVENTS 2023
*1.0 IDCEC CEU Credit*
Toronto International Design Centre
6900 Airport Road * Mississauga, Ontario
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Multi-Channel Strategies to Transform your Design Business
3:00pm - 4:00pm: Free TIDC Showroom Tour
4:00pm - 5:00pm: Panel
5:30pm - 7:00pm: Holiday Reception
In today's economy, ongoing business transformation has become a necessity. Join our panel of industry trailblazers who have successfully added new revenue streams to their design businesses. Learn the secrets of how these designers expanded their firms into the retail, commercial, and hospitality channels.
Moderated by:
Michelle Mawby, NCIDQ, ARIDO, BCIN - Founder of Lucid Interior Design and Principal at Georgian Design Build
Panelists:
Eric McClelland, NCIDQ, ARIDO - Principal Designer at Fleur-de-lis Interior Design
Erika Floysvik, Founder & Managing Principal at FIA Interiors & Architecture
SERIES SPONSOR
SESSION PARTNERS
SERIES PARTNERS
High Point Market
SPRING 2023
April 22 -26, 2023
It’s Payday with Kimberley Seldon
April 24 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
In this seminar, you will learn: the benefits of paying yourself first; a disciplined approach to the financial health of your business; a plan to break the 6-figure salary barrier; and more!
Inspiration abounds every spring and fall as High Point Market comes alive with showroom after showroom of meticulous design, more educational opportunities than several conferences combined, endless networking opportunities, and the resources you need to move your business forward.
Design Forces
Speaker Series
March 27, 2023
SESSION ONE:
How to Utilize PR and Influencer
Strategies
with Jennifer Singh of
Jennifer will teach you the four steps to become a media go-to expert.
Learn how to land television, radio and print media exposure with confidence, then leverage those appearances across your platforms and partnerships! Master the art of the pitch by discovering what media outlets want, who you should pitch to, and how to pitch your business effectively. This interactive workshop will include opportunities for attendees to dive deeper into their company's purpose and learn how to leverage their unique perspective!
WHEN | Monday, March 27th @ 1pm to 2pm
WHERE | Toronto International Design Centre - 6900 Airport Road
Modernism Week
Feb 16 to Feb 26, 2023
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Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. This exciting festival takes place in February in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. Modernism Week features more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.
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KBIS 2023 Las Vegas
January 31, 2023 - February 2, 2023
VISIT -
Unlocking
Bold Innovation
A discussion with Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™ and Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability & DEI Officer. Don't miss this amazing conversation.
Tuesday, January 31
1:00pm -1:30pm
@ KOHLER booth.
KBIS 2023 is back and bigger than ever! Three of the leading trade shows will take place at the same time – NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and the National Hardware Show® (NHS), at Design & Construction Week®. Discover innovative new products, explore fresh design solutions and connect face to face January 31-February 2, 2023 in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Market
January 29, 2023 - February 2, 2023
No more Negotiating.
Own your authority, protect your value and satisfy your clients.
Don't Miss this valuable seminar with Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™
WHEN | Monday, January 30th @ 11am PST
WHERE | LVDC Seminar Room in Building A, A240
Las Vegas Market offers buyers, designers and exhibitors an efficient, effective and compelling market experience. Las Vegas Market offers buyers, designers and exhibitors an efficient, effective and compelling market experience. Located on a world-class, state-of-the-art campus, LVMKT provides thousands of cross-category furniture, gift and home decor resources, as well as access to quality accommodations,
January 19-22, 2023
Metro Convention Centre, South Bld.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH INDUSTRIAL WASTE -
KOHLER WASTELAB
Speakers: Monty Stauffer of Kohler WasteLab & Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™, Q&A by Marla Baker of MARLABAKER.ca
During this presentation, participants will learn about the history, vision and mission of WasteLAB, including how circular economy principles are shaping product development and processes.
IT'S PAYDAY! with KIMBERLEY SELDON
Speaker: Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™, Q&A by Marla Baker of MARLABAKER.ca
In this seminar you will learn the benefits of paying yourself first, a disciplined approach to the financial health of your business and a plan to break the 6-figure salary barrier.
MB PAST EVENTS 2022
High Point Market
Oct 22 -26, 2022
Discover the ideas – and meet the people – that can transform your business
IDS Vancouver -
IDS Vancouver - Igniting innovation and celebrating design tradition.
For 2022 , return to in -person event at the Vancouver Convention Center.
Exploring the theme of New Futures: new ideas, new solutions & new expression - presented by Miele.
What's New What's Next 2022
Sept 14, 2022
Fourteenth annual What’s New What’s Next, a showcase of new ideas, design, materials, and products held at the New York Design Centre. This year’s WNWN will once again unite the industry and celebrate the very best in design.
Take Flight: Thriving as a Small Design Business
Join us at this informative WNWN panel discussion! Moderated by Helene Oberman, managing director of Interior Design Magazine and a super talented group of panelists including Kimberley Seldon, Sarah Von Dreele, Kate Blairstone, Tina Ramchandani and Peter Spalding. Discussion will be held at the LAPERE showroom, September 14 @ 4pm.
200 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10016
OAA
Conference
May 11 - 13 , 2022
This years 2022 OAA Conference is in-person at Toronto’s Beanfield Centre to showcase creative ideas and sustainable projects that explore architectural thinking applied to the climate crisis.
Members of Ontario’s architecture profession attend this yearly conference to help fulfil their continuing education requirements with 19.5 hours of continuing education seminars and events available! It also serves as a networking opportunity to connect with colleagues and leaders in the design community.
LivABLE Design Summit
April 20, 2022 - April 22, 2022
The LivABLE Design Summit is a 3 day virtual B2B trade event. Focused on the residential sector, we provide education on ageless living, accessibility and wellness to support developers, architects, designers, builders and renovators that are interested in solutions that meet the needs of all building users. Knowledge Matters. Join our global community today.
IDS Toronto
April 7, 2022 - April 10, 2022
IDS brings together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent, and key industry experts to present and inspire a better, more impactful and well-designed future. Amplify your brand and connect with quality buyers for your products and services
BUILDEX Vancouver 2022
MARCH 23 & 24, 2022
BUILDEX Vancouver will host their face-to-face event live at the Vancouver Convention Centre to explore the future of design, construction and property management. BUILDEX Amplified aims to explore important topics impacting our industry including: Future Work will address the crisis facing Canada’s construction workforce, changing workplaces, and the shifting nature of work itself for building industry…
IBS 2022
February 8, 2022 - February 10, 2022
The NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS)—the premier, once-a-year event that connects, educates and improves the residential construction industry—is a hub for new product launches, construction demos, industry thought leader sessions, workshops, panel discussions…and more. The people, products and knowledge you’ll gain will give you the real ideas and real solutions you need to grow and strengthen your essential business.
KBIS 2022
February 8, 2022 - February 10, 2022
Discover fresh design solutions, expand your network, and fine-tune your expertise February 8-10, 2022. KBIS brings every aspect of kitchen and bath innovation together into one comprehensive, value-filled experience.
Las Vegas Market
January 23, 2022 - January 27, 2022
Las Vegas Market offers buyers, designers and exhibitors an efficient, effective and compelling market experience. Located on a world-class, state-of-the-art campus, LVMKT provides thousands of cross-category furniture, gift and home decor resources, as well as access to quality accommodations, dining, and recreation.
Design TO
January 21, 2022 - January 30, 2022
DesignTO is best known for the DesignTO Festival, Canada’s leading and largest annual design festival that celebrates design as a multidisciplinary form of creative thinking and making, with 100+ exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week every January
MB PAST EVENTS 2021
presentation sponsored by:
October 28th 2021
DAY 2: LIVE PRESENTATION:
Learn From our Product Experts:
How to Create a Sensory Sanctuary in the Home
with Wellness, Style and Accessibility.
In partnership with MARLABAKER.CA
Livable Design Summit Program: October 27th - 29th, 2021
seminar sponsored by:
October 27th 2021
DAY 1: PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Evolution of Wellness and Accessibility in the Home
and How it influences Design. 1.0 CEU
In partnership with MARLABAKER.CA
Livable Design Summit Program: October 27th-29th, 2021
October 7th, 2021
IDS21 Fall Offsite Program
Sherwin Williams Presents:
Launch Projects Like a Boss
with Business of Design®'s Kimberley Seldon
In partnership with MARLABAKER.CA
May 10th to 13th, 2021
IDS21 Spring Resiliency Virtual Conference
Panel Discussion:
Aging in Place: Products and Solutions
for Residential Ageless Design
seminar sponsored by:
seminar moderator: MARLA BAKER
Panel Discussion:
The Future of Kitchen Design with
Sustainability in Mind
seminar sponsored by:
seminar moderator: MARLA BAKER
