NEWH - Spring 2018 - 40

Q&A

ONE-ON-ONE WITH

Shannon
Vance
How did you become involved with NEWH?
I got involved through past president Mary Blanchard. She came up to me and said, "You've

gotta join this great organization!"

What has NEWH done for you, both personally and professionally?

NEWH has taught me so much, especially this year representing a board of great people as
chapter president. NEWH helped me to develop new fundraisers and programs, and taught
me how to organize events. Personally, it brings me great joy to help the young generation
advance their careers in the hospitality industry. I wish when I was a young interior design
student I would have been involved with NEWH, so it's my passion to help and educate.

In your role with NEWH what do you have planned for 2018? What are you most
looking forward to?

Arizona chapter president
and design representative at
Longust Distributing

I look forward to 2018 for my chapter. We started new programs last year, and I am excited to
see how they will grow this year.

What were some of the highlights of 2017?

Last year we held numerous student events: women in business at Arizona State
University's interior design program, membership drives in five cities surrounding
universities and colleges, career day at Best Western headquarters, and Grand Canyon
University information day. Besides student programs, we had our first supper club,
which was a hit. But the best highlight for me was Honors, a new event where we honored
hospitality projects in the valley of Arizona, the TopID firms, and our scholarship recipients.

Tell us a bit about your company and what's new.

I work for Longust Distributing where I am the design representative for Arizona. I represent
numerous manufacturers such as Crossville, Interceramic, Atlas Concorde, Hallmark
Hardwoods and LVT, Earthwerks, Bellavita, and Teragren. Most design firms in Arizona call
me Mary Poppins, because when I come into presentations I have so much in my bag.

Trend or movement you are paying attention to in the industry? One you'd wish
would go away?
The trend I see in Arizona is designers making spaces inside and outside-no matter if it's
corporate workspace, hotel, restaurant, multi-unit housing, or assisted living-a fun, cozy
vibe, almost like a home-away-from-home space. One trend I wish would go away is end
users not using upgraded product and valuing out a project for an inexpensive material. In
the long run the space looks dreadful in two years. Pay the extra dollars and see the extra
money come in!

Latest (personal) travel highlight or plan?

I love traveling to a beach (no oceans in Phoenix yet) or somewhere in the world I haven't
explored. I'm fortunate to have been to over 20 countries. My next vacation will be this
summer; if you know anything about Arizona the 115-degree weather in July makes anyone
want to travel. On my bucket list is to go to the Seychelles. ❙❘❚
40 www.newh.org

http://www.newh.org

NEWH - Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2018