Get to know our 2026 speakers
Sun Shading Expo boasts an impressive line-up of speakers, each bringing unique expertise to illuminate the world of sun shading solutions.
Jessica Harling — Behind the Design
Jessica Harling is a process architect turned people strategist who helps creative businesses scale with clarity, confidence and heart. As Founder and CEO of Behind the Design, she blends deep operational expertise with emotional intelligence to build high-performing teams without sacrificing culture.
A proud fourth-generation window covering professional, Jessica was raised in her family’s Chicago-based business, founded in 1936 and still thriving today. She earned her expertise the long way, holding roles across sales, business development and operations, giving her a rare firsthand understanding of what it takes to grow and sustain a trade-based business. Today she helps firms systemize success by aligning people, process and purpose — proving that structure and soul can coexist.
Dustin Hayes — Hermosa Digital
Dustin Hayes is the founder of Hermosa Digital. A passionate brand builder, speaker and marketing futurist, Dustin has earned a reputation developing disruptive marketing strategies for Fortune 500 brands and technology startups. A creative at heart, Dustin began his career building content for top media and broadcast networks including MTV, CBS and HBO. Today he works alongside business leaders to provide new perspective and direction, helping brands realize and surpass their goals.
Tommy Long — Universal Screens
Tommy has been in the exterior window covering world for more than 23 years, with in-depth knowledge of both the installation process and the products. He has installed fixed solar screens, stationary screened-in porches, lanais, patio covers, storm windows and doors, interior roller shades both motorized and manual, chain-operated patio shades and exterior zipper track shades from a range of manufacturers.
He also has a manufacturing background, having produced solar screens, interior and exterior roller shades, Maestroshield zipper track shades and storm windows and doors, and previously owned an installation business specializing in exterior screened porches and zipper track shades. A Somfy Expert Programmer for over 18 years, Tommy joined Universal Screens in 2019 as an outside sales rep for South Texas and quickly expanded his territory to 31 states. In 2023 he became National Training Director and created the MotionScreen University Program.
John Lowry — PIC Business Systems
John Lowry is a seasoned technology executive and business leader with extensive experience driving growth, innovation and operational excellence across software and technology organizations. Throughout his career he has built and scaled high-performing teams, developed customer-centric growth strategies, and led organizations through periods of transformation and expansion.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, John is passionate about helping businesses leverage technology to improve outcomes, create value for customers and accelerate long-term growth.
Roger Magalhães — Trading Up Consulting
Roger Magalhães spent over two decades in the window treatment world — starting with his hands on the tools as an installer and working his way up to founder of Shades In Place, partner at BlindsOnline.com, and creator of Trading Up Consulting. He knows the business from the ladder up.
He is also the author of Nobody Told Me That, host of the No Strings Attached podcast, and a firm believer that grit, good relationships and showing up beat hype every time. When he is not building something, you will find him with his wife Ana somewhere in Florida or travelling across the world.
O’D McKewan — Smart Shade Services
O’D McKewan is a master in motorized window coverings and has been a leader in the field for over 20 years, with experience across manufacturing, sales and installation. He has been a national trainer for motorized window coverings for more than a decade. He runs an online training service and travels the world working on custom motorization projects including commercial buildings, restaurants, custom homes, yachts and coaches.
Julie Murphy — Designer Draperies of Boston
Julie Murphy has led Designer Draperies of Boston since 2014, shaping the company around craftsmanship, precision and lasting quality. Based in Boston and serving the greater Boston area, she has grown the company into a trusted partner for design professionals and businesses seeking thoughtful, highly tailored custom window treatment solutions.
Though firmly rooted in New England, Designer Draperies of Boston works with businesses around the world, bringing a personalized and detail-driven approach to every engagement. Julie is a frequent contributor to Forbes, serves on the board of the Window Coverings Association of America, and maintains regular involvement with ASID and IFDA.
LuAnn Nigara — LuAnn Nigara Inc.
LuAnn Nigara is a 40-year entrepreneur, founding partner of Window Works NJ, and managing partner of Exciting Windows — a national membership group for window treatment professionals. She is the WCAA National President, host of A Well-Designed Business® and Window Treatments for Profit (1,300+ episodes, 9M downloads), and a bestselling author. She also founded LuAnn University and the Boardroom for Creatives coaching program.
Vin Nigara — Exciting Windows!
Vin is a relentless entrepreneur and business developer, and has been since 1978. With prior experience as VP of Franchise Sales for two prominent industry companies, he brings unparalleled expertise in operations, systems and finance to everything he does. A former college baseball coach, his passion for teaching has translated into an accessible platform for imparting his business acumen to community members at any level.
Kate O’Hara — The Lake House Group
Kate O’Hara is a business advisor, speaker and former CEO of O’Hara Interiors, a nationally recognized design firm she led through a decade of growth, expansion and second-generation leadership. She advises founder-led businesses at critical inflection points, when the systems and structures that created success are no longer enough to sustain what comes next.
Kate is also a co-owner of the Design Influencers Conference, and she and her firm have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and Business of Home.
David Plaisant — RHODETEC
David Plaisant is Business Development Manager at RHODETEC, where he focuses on high-performance shade films and energy-efficient sun shading solutions. He has over 15 years’ experience in international B2B environments and has collaborated with architects, planners and stakeholders on complex construction projects, with a background in technical consulting and project-driven business development.
Oliver Schreiber — Beltway Blinds
Oliver Schreiber is the owner of Beltway Blinds and More, one of the largest independently owned window treatment companies serving Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
With a career rooted in sales, marketing and team leadership, Oliver spent years leading high-performing sales and marketing organizations for nationally ranked home improvement companies before founding Beltway Blinds in 2012. That background shaped a business built on disciplined growth, strong systems and a relentless focus on customer experience.
Edward Sedgley — Viewa Pty Ltd.
Ed has degrees in Commerce and Arts from Melbourne University and over 20 years’ experience founding and growing technology and marketing businesses globally. His current company, Viewa, provides 3D, AR and AI visualization software to retailers and manufacturers of goods primarily for the home. Ed regularly presents at home shows and industry trade shows across Australia.
Ralph Vasami — Window Covering Manufacturers Association
Ralph Vasami, Esq., serves as Executive Director for the Window Covering Manufacturers Association. He was a trailblazer in the vinyl window and door industry, holding the position of Chairman at the Vinyl Window & Door Institute. His contributions led to the acceptance of vinyl as a fenestration product within Model Building Codes, and he played a pivotal role in establishing product testing and standards alongside developing the current industry certification program.
Want to join them?
The call for presentations for 2026 Knowledge2Go sessions is open, and confirmed speakers will find promotional assets on speaker resources.