Advocacy Works: 2022 in Review

Nov 21, 2022 By Vasia Rigou

Find out how advocacy works across the country—from bills that have passed and those still on the floor, to other efforts that support how we practice interior design

By Vasia Rigou Nov 21, 2022

Published in Advocacy

We look at advocacy news from across the country from this fall, and news that you may have missed this past year. As several of our chapters share updates on recent wins and ongoing efforts in their states, we cannot help but be grateful to our IIDA advocates for all the tireless work they do as they support advancement in design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design. Together we hope to inspire everyone's inner advocate for positive change.

California

VPs of Advocacy, Northern California: Adam Newton, IIDA; and Laura Taylor, IIDA
VPs of Advocacy, Southern California: Nicole Dehlin Grant, IIDA; and Gabrielle Mote, IIDA

Bill: SB 1437

This bill extends the existing certification to 2027 as a result of this year’s sunset review of the CA Interior Design Certification (CID) certification and the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) despite the request from IIDA’s advocates that the certification be extended only one year while staff of the Committee on Business and Professions and stakeholders address longstanding issues. As a result, IIDA’s advocates feel the sunset review process is not robust enough to make meaningful changes to the unusual certification structure of interior design in California, and are working on a strategic plan to introduce a bill to make progress instead.

Most Recent Activity:

This month California recognized State Assemblymember Mike Gipson as the 2022 California Legislator of the Year Award recipient. This annual award recognizes an elected official who has put forth extraordinary effort on behalf of causes championed by the commercial interior design community. Gipson recognizes both the negative impacts of current regulation on professionals and the public, and the opportunity for positive change, encouraging IIDA to continue to pursue equity and justice in Interior Design. Read more

State Assemblymember Mike Gipson as the 2022 California Legislator of the Year Award. Image courtesy of IIDA Southern California

Florida

North Florida VP of Advocacy: Krista Easterly, IIDA

Most Recent Activity:

Hearing from five motivational speakers on five ways to enhance your work wellness, the IIDA North Florida Chapter held a Design Speaks event on November 3, 2022. Sonya Haffey, Brittany Knowles, Kaitlin Snow, Ind. IIDA, and Lisa Platt were joined by IIDA/ASID lobbyist, David Roberts who spoke to the group about the fundamentals of lobbying, local chapter advocacy, the 2020 Florida Deregulation of Professions & Occupations Bill, and the recently-wrapped elections of November 8th. In the works: two upcoming events in support of Advocacy: Battle of the Firms (field day) and Advocacy 101 CEU. Find out more on the IIDA North Florida Chapter website.

South Florida VP of Advocacy: Carolyn Mendoza, IIDA

Most Recent Activity:

The IIDA South Florida Chapter (IIDA SF) connected with Caroline P. Gama, President of ASID Florida. She and her team attended the Florida DBPR Board of Architecture and Interior Design meeting in Sarasota, Florida on October 27, 2022. Dave Roberts, co-founder and lobbyist of legislative and regulatory consulting firm, Nortelus Roberts Group was there reporting for both Florida-based associations. The Chapter organized their first ASID and IIDA SF meeting on November 11, 2022 joining forces in order to increase their advocacy efforts. Roberts, alongside Eliakim "Eli" Nortelus of the Nortelius Roberts Group, will join in to help formulate a plan.

Most Recent Activity:

To assist students, educators, and design professionals in successfully becoming interior design advocates, IIDA SF has created an Advocacy Essay Contest. The winners, who have a chance to win two $500 scholarships, were announced at the Student Portfolio Review at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami on November 15—a collaboration between the advocacy team and the chapter’s student affairs team.

In a slight change of plans following Hurricane Ian, the Chapter’s scheduled Legislative Roundtable has been rescheduled for 2023.

Lastly, after tirelessly working on their Diversity by Design Program, IIDA SF will be hosting their first after-school program in December at the Cutler Bay Middle School in Miami. There will be approximately 30 students attending who, following a presentation, will have the chance to create their “dream bedroom” as part of the class project. The Chapter is working on developing sponsorship packages and opportunities to elevate the experience.

When it comes to local support, IIDA SF is currently working toward a Tallahassee, Florida trip that would provide the opportunity for a chapter team member to be the spokesperson on legislative initiatives.

2022 Advocacy Highlights

Wisconsin
VP of Advocacy: Laura Schade Stroik, IIDA, WRID
Bill: SB 344
A historic moment: Passed on March 18, 2022, Wisconsin’s Senate Bill 344 (SB 344) provides interior designers in Wisconsin with stamp and seal provisions, widening the scope of interior design, and removing several barriers from voluntary interior designer registration. SB344 gives Wisconsin Registered Interior Designers (WRIDs) the right to stamp and seal their own non-structural, non-exterior permitting documents and construction documents. Read more

Illinois
VP of Advocacy: Morgan Maples, IIDA
Bill: HB4715
Set to expand the scope of practice rights for interior designers, HB4715, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 10, 2022, passed the state House and Senate unanimously. This historic legislation recognizes interior design as a distinct profession in the built environment and acknowledges the crucial role professional interior designers play in protecting occupant health, safety, and well-being. Read more

HQ News

IIDA welcomes Marci Merola as the new Director of Advocacy. With over a decade of grassroots activism leading to legislative successes under her belt, Merola brings an expansive skillset of relationship building and leadership skills, association know-how, and experience with lobbying efforts; and is distinguished by a passion for professions that transform communities and lives.

To unify efforts on a national level, IIDA appoints Stacey Crumbaker, IIDA, as National VP of Advocacy on the International Board of Directors. Both an architect as well as an interior designer, Crumbaker has the distinct ability to see the relationships between the two will serve her well in this role—emblematic of the ideal relationships that our profession is seeking.