Agenda & Activities

Learn, grow, and get inspired with the beauty of Mexico as your backdrop. Enjoy a curated agenda with top industry speakers, editors, and executives with plenty of leisure time to enjoy the resort.

MORNING - AFTERNOON | Arrivals at Leisure
Welcome to C.Next Designers, hosted for the first time at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the resort!
7:30 - 10:00 PM | White Out Welcome Cocktails & Dinner with Cosentino & NKBA
Join Cosentino and Presenting Brand Partner NKBA for a magical first evening in Mexico complete with cocktails and dinner. Make sure to wear your favorite all-white outfit!
7:00 - 7:45 AM | Sunrise Yoga & Mindfulness Exercise sponsored by Perennials and Sutherland
Connect with yourself and nature with our morning wellness activities brought to you by Sutherland. Limited capacity, RSVP required. Registrations have closed.
8:00 - 8:30 AM | Breakfast at Leisure
Start the day off right with a delicious breakfast selection featuring local dishes such as chilaquiles and breakfast staples including omelets, yogurt, and more.
8:45 - 9:00 AM | Opening Remarks by Patty Dominguez
9:00 - 9:30 AM | Welcome from Francisco 'Paco' Cosentino, President & CEO of Cosentino Group
9:30 - 10:00 AM | Global Connections: Fireside chat with Pilar & Eduardo Cosentino
Enjoy an insightful fireside chat between Eduardo & Pilar Cosentino and Editorial Director of House Beautiful, Joanna Saltz about Cosentino’s global presence and creating meaningful connections through immersive experiences.
10:30 - 11:00 AM | Enduring Style: Crafting Longevity in Design Brought to you by Sunbrella
In a world where things come and go, creating designs that stand the test of time is essential for lasting impact. Join Joanna Saltz, Editorial Director of House Beautiful, and industry leaders to uncover their core tenants of timeless design. From personal design approaches to performance materials, learn strategies for creating products and spaces that go beyond the ephemeral and resonate.
Moderator:
- Joanna Saltz, Editorial Director, House Beautiful
Panelists:
- Kathy Kuo, Founder and CEO, Kathy Kuo Home
Siobhan Barry, Design Director and Principal, Gensler
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM | An Inside Look at Cosentino's Latest & Greatest
Get inspired with Cosentino's product innovations and a sneak peek of the product showcase where you will get to experience the magic of sustainable surfaces firsthand.
Panelists
- Valentin Tijeras, VP Global Product, R&D + Quality, Cosentino
- Alvaro Chomon, Architect & Design Sales Executive Director
- Cesar Giraldo, Founder and Principal Designer, Cesar Girlado Design
- Allison Paladino, President, Paladino Rudd Interior Design
12:00 - 12:20 PM | Coffee Break & Explore the Cosentino Product Showcase
Sip on delicious coffee made with cutting-edge Miele technology while walking through the Cosentino product showcase.
12:20 - 1:00 PM | Illuminating Impact: The Power of Lighting in Shaping Spaces and Stories sponsored by Arteriors
Lighting is more than just illumination—it’s a transformative tool that shapes how we experience a space. Join experts from various disciplines to explore the profound impact of innovative lighting on atmosphere and emotion. From creating mood to enhancing functionality, lighting has the power to define a space’s character and evoke powerful reactions. Join ELLE Decor Editorial Director, Stellene Volandes for an engaging discussion on how lighting can create environments that inspire, captivate, and connect.
Moderator:
Stellene Volandes, Editorial Director, ELLE Decor
Panelists:
- John Hart, CEO, Arteriors Home
- Scott Pask, Tony-Award Winning Scenic Designer
- Young Huh, Principal Designer, Young Huh Interior Design
1:00 - 1:30 PM | Keynote "Designed to Heal: How Environments Shape Health and Human Connection" with Dr. Jonathan Leary
In this talk, Dr. Jonathan Leary explores the powerful connection between design and physiology, illustrating how our surroundings influence health, mood, relationships, and performance. By harnessing the principles of social self-care, we can craft spaces that support individual health and create meaningful social interactions. Learn how intentional design can redefine how we connect, be our best selves, and set us up for success (in all verticals of our life), while shifting the narrative around self-care to a necessity rather than a luxury.
1:30 PM | Luncheon: Explore the outdoors with Urban Bonfire and special guest award-winning landscape architect Fernando Wong
It's time for lunch! Urban Bonfire will be hosting a delicious luncheon with a special appearance by the renowned landscape architect Fernando Wong.
Afternoon at Leisure
Enjoy the stunning amenities Grand Velas has to offer!
5:00 - 6:00 PM | Amigo Hour with Hearst
Join Hearst editors for afternoon cocktails! Limited capacity, RSVP required. Registrations have closed.
6:00 - 7:30 PM | Sunset Poolside Cocktails with Four Hands
Enjoy golden hour while sipping cocktails by the pool, brought to you by Four Hands.
C.Next Networking Dinners
Join brand partners and fellow designers for an intimate evening of networking and inspiring conversation at one of the resort's many gourmet restaurants.
Plus-ones welcome. Cosentino has secured reservations for every guest. Your concierge will provide all the details at check-in.
7:00 - 7:45 AM | Morning Yoga & Mindfulness Experience sponsored by Baldwin
Connect with yourself and nature with our morning wellness activities brought to you by Baldwin. Limited capacity, RSVP required. Registrations have closed.
Breakfast at Leisure
7:30 - 8:30 AM | VIP Hearst Breakfast
An intimate breakfast hosted by Hearst editors. Limited capacity, RSVP required. Registrations have closed.
8:45 - 8:55 AM | Morning Remarks by Patty Dominguez
8:55 - 9:00 AM | Remarks by Presenting Brand Partner NKBA | KBIS
9:00 - 9:30 AM | Global Inspiration: Bringing Luxury Hospitality into the Home brought to you by NKBA | KBIS
Global travel provides ongoing inspiration and perspective for the A&D category. Join luxury and design industry experts as they discuss how they are inspired by global travel and how this is carried over to residential spaces. Led by ELLE Decor Editorial Director Stellene Volandes, this dynamic discussion aims to excite and inspire.
Moderator:
- Stellene Volandes, Editor in Chief, Town & Country + Editorial Director, ELLE Decor
Panelists:
- Lauren Rottet, President & Founding Principal, Rottet Studio
- Jake Slatnick, CEO & Founder, FreePower
9:30 - 10:10 AM | Driving Innovation: Cultivating New Demand in Untapped Markets Brought to you by Feeney
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, understanding how to generate demand is crucial for growth. Carisha Swanson, House Beautiful’s Director of Editorial Special Projects, will gather top women in business to explore innovative strategies and real-world examples that illustrate how businesses can identify unmet needs, tap into emerging trends, and cultivate new interest. With insights shared from multiple business sectors, you’ll learn how to navigate the complexities of creating demand, in unexpected places.
Moderator:
- Carisha Swanson, Director of Editorial Special Projects, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
Panelists:
- Jennifer Kolstad, Global Design & Brand Director, Ford Motor Company
- Tanya Ryno, Chief Creative Officer, Iron House Design
- Katrina Ralston, President & Co-Owner, Feeney Inc.
10:15 - 10:30 AM | Coffee Break & Enjoy the Cosentino Product Showcase
Sip on delicious coffee made with cutting-edge Miele technology while walking through the Cosentino product showcase.
10:35 - 11:15 AM | Riches in the Niches: The Editor’s Guide to Storytelling & Audience Brought to you by New Moon Rugs
Victor Maze, VERANDA Creative Director and author of LEAD LIKE AN EDITOR, will share key insights on how to identify your target customer and create messaging that resonates, positioning you as the guide they need. From developing your unique brand strategy to exploring how running a small business can sometimes have big advantages, Victor along with Erika Kurtz, COO of New Moon Rugs, and top designer talent will share why there are riches in the niches.
Moderator:
- Victor Maze, Creative Director, Veranda
Panelists:
- Heather French, Co-Founder & Principal, French & French Interiors
- Mikel Welch, Interior Designer and TV Host
- Erika Kurtz, COO, New Moon Rugs
11:20 - 11:30 | A word from our dinner & after party sponsors
11:30 AM - 1:25 PM | Brand Immersive Breakouts
Enjoy an fully immersive and hands-on experience with the top following brands:
- Miele
- Lutron
- Hestan
Lunch & Afternoon at Leisure
7:00 PM | Farewell Cocktails with Perlick
Sip on fun cocktails while enjoying the sunset...you won't want to miss this!
8:00 PM | Dinner Under the Stars co-hosted by Studio M and Danver Outdoor Kitchens
Let's say 'goodbye' to C.Next Designers in style with a gourmet dinner under the starts brought to you by Studio M and Danver.
9:00 PM | Afterparty with the BauTeam
Live music, dancing, and s'mores with PITT Cooking!
Breakfast at Leisure
9:00 - 9:40 AM | Wellness is Our Favorite Color with Benjamin Moore
Immerse yourself in a creative journey where color and design meets wellness. Through guided mandala painting, participants select shapes and colors that resonate with their energy, uncovering deeper connections between color, emotion, and intention. This meditative activity fosters relaxation, mindfulness, and creativity, allowing participants to express their inner selves while exploring the transformative power of color.
9:50 - 10:30 AM | Explore the Marketplace & Product Showcase
Walk through an incredible marketplace with goods from local artisans and experience the Cosentino product showcase.
10:30 - 11:00 AM | Connecting with Interior Designers
Panelists:
- Francisco Martinez-Cosentino, Director - Digital Business Unit, Cosentino
- Laura Mosquera, National Design Sales Manager, Cosentino
11:00 - 11:45 AM | Closing Remarks with Eduardo Cosentino + Patty Dominguez & Brand Raffle
Get the chance to win amazing prizes gifted by our brand partners! Remember, you must be present to win!