It’s official: The city of Chicago designated the second week of June as Chicago Design Week.

In a recently released proclamation, based on a resolution advanced by Chicago’s city council and the mayor’s office, local lawmakers recognized the significance of America’s third-largest city as a design epicenter — home to iconic architecture, stunning interiors, and IIDA headquarters, which advocates for the global design community.

Chicago plays host to design professionals from around the world during NeoCon at The Mart and Design Days in Fulton Market, both running the second week of June.

“Chicago is the world’s greatest design city, and IIDA is proud to make its home in a place that has supported great design throughout its history,” said IIDA’s Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, in an interview with Dezeen.

“Having this proclamation from the city council and the mayor quite simply validates the high regard Chicago has for design and recognizes a key moment when the worldwide design community convenes in our city,” Durst added.

Emphasizing the profound value of design in daily life and placemaking, the proclamation recognizes designers as “standard-bearers of the health, safety, and wellness in built spaces that humanity relies on.” We at IIDA couldn’t agree more.

“Design makes all our lives richer, and it is a joy to live in a city where astonishing design is all around us. Sharing that with our worldwide design community, and advancing the idea of a global design week for Chicago, feels natural for us at IIDA — it’s a true point of pride to represent the amazing power of design!” said IIDA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Cindy Dampier.

“I’m not a native Chicagoan, but our city has taught me so much about design and its impact on humanity. It’s my hope that this effort will spark a deeper exploration of design in Chicago, and that our industry and our talented partners throughout the city are ready to bring Chicago Design Week to life.”

IIDA is where design is at — check out our programs and events during Chicago Design Week