FARGO-The inaugural Eco Chic Boutique Design Conference featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" may be sold out, but those who are unable to attend can experience some of the conference's offerings through social media.
For those who missed the opportunity to purchase tickets, the Eco Chic team will post quotes, photos and more from the event on Facebook and Twitter (@beingecochic) using the hashtag #EcoChicDesignCon. After the event, scheduled for Saturday at Avalon Event Center West here, they'll add video of the regional speakers, but not of the popular Texas couple, as per their agreement.
Scott Brusven, marketing and events director for Eco Chic and host of the design conference, says the Gainses' popularity likely spurred the fast sale of seats, from $75 general admission to $200 VIP. Demand for tickets was so high that additional balcony seating was added.
"They're the 'it' couple right now on HGTV," he says. "They fit our style and what we wanted to accomplish with this conference. We are so lucky we were able to connect with them, and I think that's part of the energy. So many people around here are really dialed in to their show."
Also presenting are Carrie Brusven, Eco Chic's creative director; Maria Bosak, Eco Chic founder/owner; and Grain Designs, a new West Fargo company specializing in custom reclaimed-wood furniture and décor.
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Brusven says Eco Chic hopes to make the design conference an annual event, and Team Eco will assess how this first one goes before deciding what to do next, but he knows they want to keep it "fresh."
"We want to have people who are on the edge of creating and making things happen," he says. "Chip and Joanna are 'that' couple right now."
