The 8th Annual Business of Design Conference (BoD) returns to New York City September 1 and 2, with a new theme, Designing Happiness, and a second conference, the Luxury Experience Option.

"This year's [BoD Conference] theme links that emotional state with the business elements that also lead to happiness," said BoD Conference founder David Shepherd. "Happiness in business means the ability to eliminate headaches, avoid crises, secure ideal clients, implement streamlined systems, create superior designs, and most importantly, consistently deliver the type of bottom line profits that will enable you to build a secure and financially independent future."

David Shepherd

The Luxury Experience Option, the complementary track, will be offered to BoD Conference attendees who are already in the luxury business, but seeking to take their businesses to the next level of achievement. The program was created by Decorative Furnishings Association (DFA) founder Steve Nobel, and will be open to a small group of 20 designers and will take place August 30-September 3.

Steve Nobel

The Luxury Experience Option will feature a group of contributing experts including Thomas Jayne, author of The Finest Rooms in America; Judith Gura, NYSID faculty member; Suzanne Slesin, publisher and author, Pointed Leaf Press; Newell Turner, editor, House Beautiful; Michael Calman, former chief marketing officer, Bergdorf Goodman; and Nancye Green, co-author, Home and Interior Design Among the Affluent.

The BoD conference will feature Vita Vygovska's SHIFT workshop for sole practitioners and small firm managers, Shepherd's annual state of the industry address, and workshops and seminars on the latest design technology and inspirational anecdotes from designers.

BoD Conference partners include Cosentino/Silestone, which is offering a free trip to Spain, Kravet, which is offering free tours of its design studio, and Design Sherpa.