2024 Winter Advocacy Workshop

Apr 01, 2024 By Laura Botham

Advocacy leaders from across the country gathered to discuss where we’ve been and where we’re headed as interior designers

By Laura Botham Apr 01, 2024

Published in Advocacy

In February of this year, just as the 2024 legislative year was getting underway, Advocacy VPs and Directors from across our chapters met at the OFS showroom in downtown Chicago for the Winter CLC Advocacy Workshop. There, they discussed legislative advancements and successes, and further developed and shared what works from state to state. Not only did we get down to business, but we celebrated a birthday, started new friendships, and put our heads together to uncover how each state can achieve success no matter where they are in their legislative journey.

The day kicked off with an introduction to advocacy from IIDA Director of Advocacy Marci Merola, followed by a panel discussion on the Legislative process featuring Libby Castro, VP of Advocacy, Wisconsin Chapter; Meghan Dudek, VP of Advocacy, Mid-America Chapter; Lori James, VP of Advocacy, Michigan Chapter; and Alison Volckens, VP of Advocacy, Carolinas Chapter. Panelists shared their experiences and various stages of advocacy work, beginning to paint a picture of what Merola refers to as “the cycle of advocacy.” Each panelist represented a different phase in the legislative process.

Winter CLC Advocacy Workshop attendees at the OFS headquarters. Photography by Elliot Mandel

Attendees self-identified into four groups based on what phase of legislation their states are in to think about engaging stakeholders within and outside of the industry and working with legislators, the opposition, and allied professionals, as well as laying the groundwork for strategic planning.

• Group One: States preparing the groundwork for introducing legislation.
• Group Two: States actively entering the legislative process.
• Group Three: States in the process of codifying rules and regulations after passing legislation.
• Group Four: States navigating the period after bill passage, focusing on sustained efforts beyond initial enthusiasm.

Later on, the groups met with each of the other groups, to ask questions, share strategies, and mentor each other. Says Merola, “Attendees wanted to compare notes from others in states facing the same issues, but also learn what’s next from those in states that might be further down the path. This set-up really worked. The level of information-sharing and advocacy knowledge is really high with this cohort of VPs and Directors of Advocacy.”

(Above: Attendees of the Advocacy Workshop at the IIDA Winter CLC. Photography by Elliot Mandel)

Building Momentum and finding ways to engage members in both the chapter and the work advocacy was another sought-after topic. IIDA EVP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, moderated a conversation among advocates creating success in their chapters. Attendees heard from Seka Collins, IIDA North Florida, Rodney McCasland, IIDA Florida Central, and Brittney Ferren, IIDA South Florida about the Florida Advocacy Alliance and their unified work of bringing advocacy activity together for the state; Mackenzie Matray and Andrea Reay Wahl of IIDA Texas/Oklahoma discussed advocacy presence at their flagship student event, SHIFT, which is in its 24th year; Roberta Pennington of IIDA Oregon discussed the “Advocacy Roadshow,” her approach for taking the advocacy conversation on the road to firms which has resulted in many more allies.

IIDA Senior Manager of Corporate Membership Sales and Foundation Michelle Merry led a discussion about fundraising, followed by Cheryl Durst returning to the stage for a Q&A on lobbying, governance, and more, and finally, the group was invited on a tour of worklife spaces designed by Gensler at THE MART.

Attendees of the Advocacy Workshop at the IIDA Winter CLC. Photography by Elliot Mandel

Key Takeaways from the Day:

Advocacy is a long game, there are no quick solutions and the work is never quite done

But…advocacy is sexy: interior design advocates are changing the face of the profession!

Perfect your elevator pitch—it’s important to have clear and concise messaging no matter who you are talking to: friends and neighbors, or potential allies and legislators

Speaking of legislators—research who you’re working with and how you can connect with them. Use your sales skills to connect with them and build your network—make them your friends and and show them how our interests are aligned

Industry members make excellent advocates—sales experience and relationship building are important aspects of legislative relations

Make sure that your messaging is broader than just interior design—these bills are pro-woman, pro-small business, and support and enable women and minority business owners

Build allies with educators and design faculty—plant the seed early by talking to architecture and interior design students before they begin their careers. Learning about the scope and importance of interior designers from an interior designer early on helps to build out a sense of allyship

Advocacy is a long game, there are no quick solutions

Build advocacy into your chapter budget as a line item for each event—a certain percentage of sales should go towards the state’s advocacy team