From honoring the past to shaping the future, IIDA’s chapter advocacy efforts remind us that advocacy is a long game—one built on persistence, collaboration, and a clear vision for the profession. Legislation, public awareness, and education don’t happen overnight; they require ongoing commitment. Across the country, IIDA’s VPs of Advocacy and their teams continue to champion this work with exceptional dedication, ensuring the profession advances in meaningful, measurable ways.

Health, Safety, and Welfare: Priority Number One in Las Vegas – and the Country

November 21 marked the anniversary of the 1980 fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. “This tragedy fundamentally transformed safety standards, reinforcing that the Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) of the public are the fundamental pillars of our profession,” said Kari Lemon, IIDA, VP of the IIDA Southwest Chapter.

From the Chapter’s LinkedIn statement:

“Professional interior designers play a crucial role beyond aesthetics. Our specialized education and training focus heavily on building codes, fire safety regulations, and material performance. We design spaces that are not only beautiful but are safe, functional, and code-compliant. This vital expertise ensures a responsible built environment for everyone. This anniversary reminds us that hiring a qualified, professional interior designer is essential for ensuring a safe built environment. Our expertise protects the public everyday. Our thoughts are with the Las Vegas community today."

Moving Towards Rules and Regulations in Pennsylvania

“In Pennsylvania, the IIDA Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware Chapter has continued its legislative momentum following the passage of Senate Bill 1319 in October 2024,” writes Marie Mastrobattista, IIDA, VP of Advocacy for the IIDA PA/NJ/DE Chapter. “This landmark legislation establishes the protected title of Certified Interior Designer (CID) within the Commonwealth. Current initiatives include collaborating with the state licensing board to add a CID representative to the board and advancing the development and clarification of the requirements for obtaining CID status in Pennsylvania. The IIDA PA/NJ/DE Chapter extends its sincere appreciation to the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania (IDLCPA) and to all supporters whose dedication has been instrumental in advancing this significant milestone.”

“The Chapter also remains committed to advancing the profession through education and support. This fall, it offered an intensive, eight-week NCIDQ exam preparation program leading up to the October testing period. Looking ahead to 2026, the chapter is developing expanded programming with a focus on professional registration and student engagement.”

Elevating the Profession in the Rocky Mountains

Emilie Diggs, IIDA, VP of Advocacy, IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter shares a new advocacy video, which premiered at Elevate 2025. “We received extremely positive feedback!” she says. We believe it speaks for itself.

Interior design is more than what we see — it shapes how our communities live, heal, learn, and thrive. At IIDA Rocky Mountain, we’re proud to share a message that interior design is an essential profession grounded in research, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to public health, safety, and welfare.

Interior design is so much more than aesthetics. And because we spend 90% of our lives indoors, the choices interior designers make — lighting, acoustics, materiality, circulation, and safety directly influence well-being and outcomes. These decisions aren’t cosmetic — they’re critical.

This is why our chapter continues to advocate for meaningful recognition of the profession and its impact on Colorado communities.

Legislative Advocacy in Action in Wisconsin

Shari Sandler, IIDA, VP of Advocacy for Wisconsin, writes: “The IIDA Wisconsin Chapter has been actively working to refine the language in our recently passed legislative bill. While the bill successfully granted Wisconsin Registered Interior Designers the authority to sign, stamp, and seal their own drawings, it did not include the critical term “professionally supervise.” This loophole has brought into question Wisconsin Registered Interior Designers ability to successfully permit.

To address this, IIDA Wisconsin has joined forces with ASID Wisconsin as the Consortium for Interior Design – Wisconsin, working with local legislators to identify the most effective path forward in strengthening this legislation.

In addition, IIDA Wisconsin’s Advocacy Committee partnered with the IIDA VP of Professional Development to host a CEU session offering a comprehensive overview of building codes, with a special focus on the upcoming changes as Wisconsin transitions to the 2021 International Building Code.

Hitting the Road in Oregon

“The 2025-2026 Oregon Advocacy Roadshow is here!” Roberta Pennington, IIDA, VP of Advocacy for the Oregon Chapter. The Roadshow, which travels to Interior Design and Architecture firms across the state, “helps educate participants on the basics of commercial interior design, Oregon’s legislation history, and how to get involved to support legal recognition in our state.”

Diversity by Design in South Florida

“Our South Florida Advocacy team continues to create meaningful, community-focused experiences,”” says Jasmine Gilfillian, IIDA, VP of Advocacy for Florida South. “Diversity by Design is one of the events that truly reflects our Chapter’s values.” She continues: “The initiative brings art, creativity, and design into programs [for students] that don’t typically have access. Each year, the students show an impressive level of creativity and engagement, and their artistic approach continually inspires everyone involved,” she says. “We also provide materials so the creative exploration can continue long after the event ends. Diversity by Design continues to highlight what Advocacy looks like in action within our chapter.”

Community Building in Texas

“The North Texas City Centers of Dallas and Fort Worth have been intentional about offering educational and community-building events — and they’ve certainly been busy!”: says Linda Mann, VP of Advocacy for IIDA Texas/Oklahoma (Texas). “I recently attended two gatherings that truly resonated with our members and helped welcome new professionals into our community.”

The Fort Worth City Center hosted a lunch at The Kimbell Museum, bringing together current members and new faces. In Dallas, the chapter kicked off the 9th Annual IIDA Dallas Chili Cook-Off on November 20th.

Learn more about IIDA's Advocacy efforts or find out how to be involved in your state.