HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt (Women in the Home Furnishings Industry), the professional organization dedicated to supporting and mentoring women in the home and furnishings industry, announced the launch of its new Internship Initiative, as well as the keynote speaker for its summer conference.
WithIt’s Internship Initiative aims to bridge the gap between students seeking valuable industry experience and companies eager to mentor and develop the next generation. The Internship Initiative was developed to connect companies in the home and furnishings industry with emerging talent, offering a centralized platform where businesses can easily post opportunities and students can apply with confidence.
Many companies in the industry lack formal internship programs and often rely on personal connections to find interns, so this initiative helps bridge that gap. Whether companies are looking for part-time market help, a summer intern, an intern for school credit or even a seasonal assistant for High Point or Las Vegas markets, the WithIt Internship Initiative provides the flexibility to meet your unique needs while giving students valuable real-world experience.
Students and companies can now visit the WithIt website to upload resumes or internship listings directly to the platform.
WithIt is actively building the infrastructure to support and grow the program, including:
· Hosting a fully functional internship and job board on the WithIt website.
· Creating a toolkit to help companies establish and manage internship programs.
· Engaging with the industry to support and participate in the initiative.
· Resource for companies to build their local pipeline.
WithIt is calling on industry leaders, companies and educational institutions to support this initiative by posting internships, sponsoring the platform and mentoring the next generation of home and furnishings professionals.
WithIt also will host its annual professional conference June 2-4 at the Kansas City Marriott in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s event, titled Power Up! Influence – Inspire – Impact, will feature keynote speaker Barb Betts, a visionary speaker and thought-leader with more than 20 years of experience transforming sales and business performance through the power of authentic relationships.
Betts is a seasoned real estate broker, CEO, entrepreneur and host of the award-winning podcast Relationships Are Your Superpower, where she shares insights on moving beyond transactional interactions to foster deep, trust-based connections. A sought-after speaker, Betts combines her extensive expertise with compelling personal stories and actionable strategies to address today’s biggest business challenges.
To round out the program, the agenda also includes “The Upward Influence Playbook-Speak Up, Manage Up, Move Forward” with Sarah Glova, a writer, podcaster and instructor at Duke University and North Carolina State University, and Kansas City-based speaker and author Tara Renze who will bring “10 Secrets to Level Up Your Leadership.” Industry speakers are Nora Gomez, chief merchandising officer for NFM, and Hailey Meyer of Compassionately Transparent Coaching.
“The WithIt Conference is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and focus on growth, leadership and connection,” said Amy Van Dorp, executive director of WithIt. “Our program is designed to empower individuals with fresh ideas, valuable skills and meaningful relationships that can propel their careers forward. The program is the most cost-effective in the industry and a deal for the incredible number of speakers and professional development topics presented.”
Power Up! is a two-day event designed for both emerging leaders and established executives. This year’s event marks a milestone for WithIt, as membership reaches an all-time high and the conference moves to Kansas City for the first time, providing a fresh backdrop for networking and professional development.
Registration for the 2025 WithIt Conference is now open, with early-bird pricing available through May 1.
