Advocacy is always a marathon, never a sprint. Today’s IIDA VPs of Advocacy and their teams know that persistence and patience are key to progress. From reflections to completing a two-year term in Florida, to laying groundwork in Rhode Island and a touch of aspiration from Oregon, IIDA’s interior design advocates continue to elevate the perception and value of the profession.

Progress in Rhode Island

Stephanie McGoldrick, IIDA, Director of Advocacy for IIDA New England (Rhode Island,) shares: “The Consortium for Interior Design Rhode Island kicked off the summer with an in-person committee workshop to assess our bill language, update our strategies and goals, and discuss fundraising efforts. We are pleased to have secured two dedicated financial sponsors to advocacy in Rhode Island. Grassroots efforts and meetings with key industry partners will continue throughout the summer.”

Advocacy Sparks Confidence in Oregon

At a recent town hall meeting, participants were asked to share what comes to mind when they hear “advocacy.” The responses might surprise you!

North Florida President Reflects on the Role of Advocacy

As Kristin Roberts, IIDA, transitions from VP of Advocacy to Chapter President, she reflects on her term and the importance of staying engaged.

“Serving as VP of Advocacy for the IIDA North Florida Chapter has been an immensely rewarding experience. I'm honored to step into the role of Chapter President this term, and I look forward to carrying forward the lessons I've learned during my time as VP of Advocacy. Advocacy will continue to be a key focus for me, and I plan on continuing to be very hands-on when it comes to advocacy efforts in the state of Florida.

We had a very busy 2025 legislative session here in Florida. Once again, our profession faced the threat of deregulation. These challenges aren’t new to us, but they are becoming increasingly persistent. With the help of the National Consortium and our lobbyist, Dave Roberts, we were able to avoid any major changes in legislation this time around. With their guidance, IIDA and ASID chapter members, along with non-affiliated ClDQ certificate holders joined together to speak out against the proposed changes with one voice. While we are very thankful that the bills did not pass, we do anticipate a renewed deregulation effort from the Florida Legislature next year.

The best advice that I can give is to be proactive. Florida is a prime example of how quickly the tide can turn, even in states where regulations currently favor our profession. Staying vigilant, building relationships with legislators, and cultivating a network of advocates are not just helpful strategies — they are essential. The political landscape is always shifting, and it’s far more effective to have allies already in place than to scramble when a threat arises.”

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