The Appraisers Association of America (AAA) will focus on the world of design for the first time in its history. A prestigious roster of speakers will be presenting at the National Conference and Art Law Day when fine and decorative art experts along with business, legal, insurance and other allied professionals come together to collaborate on current issues and practices affecting the art community.

To be held November 13 and 14 at the New York Athletic Club, the program covers a variety of important issues in the world of design and collecting. 1stdibs founder Michael Bruno will deliver the keynote address Creating Global Confidence for Buying and Selling Online.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Valuing Art & Design in the 21st Century covers trends in interior design set by designers, gallerists and auction house experts who act as filters for their clients, guiding them through myriads of material before arriving at the furniture, art and design that will constitute the backdrop of their lives. Eric Cohler of Eric Cohler Interiors will moderate a panel with Melissa Gagen, Christie’s; Cristina Grajales, Cristina Grajales Gallery; and Robert Passal, Robert Passal Interior and Architectural Design, who will discuss what trends these current taste makers see, and how are they composing the homes that appraisers will be working in.

What Museums Collect Now: A Curator’s Perspective puts forth the idea that design is a catch-all term for a very broad segment of artworks. Museums and galleries play an important role by selecting collectable works. How do these institutions navigate historical and contemporary productions, what criteria are used in evaluating and collecting design objects, to what extent is process and material key to understanding design, how do collectors keep ahead of the curve of understanding what works are important? Brent Lewis of Artnet will moderate a panel with Jane Adlin, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Ronald Labaco, Museum of Arts and Design; and Emily Zilber, MFA, Boston.

The third day of programs will include a series of discussions in partnership with New York University with discussions such as Tax Planning in a Changing Environment and Beyond Valuation: A Practical Discussion of Stolen Art Issues.

Spanierman Gallery will host the closing exhibition featuring an exhibition of paintings by contemporary artist Sarah Lamb including still lifes in the tradition of Chardin and Vallayer-Coster. The event will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and special presentations.

All programs are open to the public. General admission for the two-day conference is $495. For information, contact Samantha Nestor at 646.247.5459 or press@appraisersassoc.org.