Meet IIDA Sales and Sponsorship Coordinator Eva Jones

Jan 23, 2024 By Vasia Rigou

Exploring sales success, collaboration, and the future of IIDA

By Vasia Rigou Jan 23, 2024

Published in Articles

From the countryside of northwest Connecticut to Chicago, Eva Jones, IIDA's Sales & Sponsorship Coordinator, brings a fresh, dynamic perspective to IIDA HQ. Aligned with the Association’s vision to enhance culture, drive business value, solve challenges, and positively impact people's lives through a deeper understanding of interior design, Jones is determined to bring innovative ideas to the table to do just that. “Building bridges within the greater commercial interior design industry is one of the most important things that IIDA does and through sales and sponsorship initiatives we can expand into once unreachable areas,” she says. “I am excited to see what this new role will bring in terms of my personal growth and the growth of IIDA.” Get to know Jones as she discusses her diverse background, what fuels and motivates her, the importance of follow-through, collaboration, and customization in achieving a seamless sales approach, and what she has in mind for the future of IIDA.

Tell us a bit about where you come from. In what ways has your background prepared you and how will it inform your new role at IIDA?

I was raised in the countryside of northwest Connecticut and attended college for business management at Skidmore College in upstate New York. Since high school, I’ve been involved with nonprofit organizations at the local level which showed me the unique impact you can have through their work. My college experience helped me cultivate a holistic view of private companies after taking courses on business sustainability, ethics, and organizational behavior. I am a planner at my core, but graduating during a global pandemic threw me into unfamiliar territory and I was overwhelmed with uncertainty.

When my roommate asked me to move to Chicago with her for graduate school, I considered a different path. And with a clean slate and an open mind, things began to feel a little different. This all has taught me how to bring a dynamic perspective shaped by my exposure to various industries and experiences, enabling me to contribute innovative ideas and strategies to enhance the association's sponsorships and sales initiatives.

What’s the most important thing to keep in mind to ensure a seamless and cohesive approach to our sales initiatives?

Follow-through, collaboration, and customization are truly key. IIDA works with so many fantastic manufacturers who all have truly unique perspectives on both the industry as a whole and their own market focuses which makes crafting sponsorships all the more exciting! Through these partners, we are able to put on amazing programs and events that span from sustainability to increasing representation and equity in the commercial interior design industry. I consider it an honor to create customized programs, events, panels, and so much more to push forward IIDA’s vision to support culture, enhance business value, solve problems, and positively impact the health and well-being of people’s lives through a greater understanding of interior design.

Jones loves relaxing with her dog Armando.

Image courtesy of Eva Jones

Jones and her dog Armando at the Milwaukee Lights.

Image courtesy of Eva Jones

What do you hope to accomplish in this position—both short and long-term?

In the short term, I would love to see IIDA’s continued success in flagship programs like Industry Roundtable, Design Your World, and Revel in Design. Additionally, I am excited to contribute to upcoming sponsorship initiatives we are planning and producing that will help pave the way forward to a more eco-friendly, equitable, and future-focused industry. In the long term, I would love to cultivate and collaborate with different types of industry members and individuals from adjacent industries. Building bridges within the greater commercial interior design industry is one of the most important things that IIDA does and through sales and sponsorship initiatives we can expand into once unreachable areas. I am excited to see what this new role will bring in terms of my own personal growth and the growth of IIDA in the next year, five years,, and even 10 years!

Can you talk about the importance of community within IIDA, interior design, and the world at large?

Community is the foundation of IIDA and is built within the greater commercial interior design industry and on an international scale. Within IIDA, fostering a strong community is crucial for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional growth. In the realm of interior design, building a community involves a diverse range of perspectives, drives innovation, and pushes creative boundaries to help address the needs and desires of all. In essence, community ties individuals together, creating a supportive network that amplifies the impact of shared goals and values within IIDA, the interior design field, and the broader world.

Jones explores Garfield Park in Chicago.

Image courtesy of Eva Jones

Jones explores Garfield Park in the fall.

Image courtesy of Eva Jones

What inspires and motivates you?

In its truest sense, I am motivated by people. My background in the Food and Beverage (F&B)/hospitality industry has taught me how to gain inspiration from the everyday. Even the most menial of tasks all feed into collective success. Working for nonprofits has shown me how fantastic it feels to even just have a small positive impact on someone else or your community so that is something I work towards every day in my role here. I am also motivated by the people around me, the hardworking IIDA HQ staff, and of course our stellar sales team. Seeing their passion and determination inspires me every day to work just as hard.

When you’re not busy supporting the IIDA Sales Department, how do you relax and unwind?

I love to spend my time immersed in nature, whether it's just enjoying a nice walk in my neighborhood, Humboldt Park, or heading out for a fun, challenging hike in the country. I’m a big reader and love to watch the latest weird TV show, usually curled up on the couch with the cat and dog. I also like to unwind with a variety of different creative activities like crafting, painting, collaging, and other DIY projects. Even in my free time, I like to multitask so you’ll often find me somehow snacking, painting, reading, and watching something all at the same time!