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IIDA Industry Roundtable

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IIDA’s Industry Roundtable is an annual think-tank that convenes diverse thought leaders and decision-makers across firms, manufacturers, and academia for a weekend of discussions and explorations of our industry — where we are, and where we are headed. Sessions provide thought-provoking presentations and high-level, open dialog among leaders in a format that both builds on the Roundtable’s 27 years of accumulated expertise around the design industry; and cements connections among a singular community of knowledge sharers. This unique forum sets the agenda for industry leaders, challenging how we think about design, and pushing toward a more innovative and dynamic future, collectively.

The Industry Roundtable doesn’t just imagine the future; it defines it. By crafting strategies from our collective vision, we empower our industry to lead, adapt, and remain at the forefront of change. Participants leave equipped with a visionary toolkit — prepared to design not only for today’s needs but also for the next decade and beyond.

Marking the 28th anniversary, we will convene in Chicago this January, continuing IIDA’s tradition of fostering thought leadership and meaningful connection at the highest level of the commercial interior design industry. Be part of the conversations that will shape our profession’s future and explore how demographics and data intersect with design to influence identity, trust, culture, and the human experience

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the future of our industry. For more information about the IIDA Industry Roundtable, please contact IIDA Sales & Sponsorship Coordinator, Eva Jones, at ejones@iida.org.

IR 27 in Chicago

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John Sadlon (Perkins&Will) and Cheryl Durst connect before IR27 programming begins at the LondonHouse Chicago.

Photo by Christopher Dilts

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Sue Chang (Shimoda Design Group) exchanges idea cards at IR27 Milling Session at the LondonHouse Chicago, Photography by Christopher Dilts

Photo by Christopher Dilts

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Mike Johnson (Hickok Cole) shares insights during IR27 Ask a Designer, Ask a Manufacturer at the LondonHouse Chicago

Photo by by Christopher Dilts

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Brian Graham (Graham Design) and Michelle Boolton (Kimball International - Session Sponsor) introduce IR27 Ask a Designer, Ask a Manufacturer session at the LondonHouse Chicago

Photography by Christopher Dilts

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Jackie Dettmar (Mohawk Group - Design Visionary Sponsor) enjoys Mark Bryan's session at Mohawk Group Showroom in Fulton Market

Photography by Christopher Dilts

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Cheryl Durst welcomes Jennifer Nye and Libby Gillen (Momentum - Community + Celebration Sponsor)

Photography by Christopher Dilts

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Stacy Craig (USG Ceilings - Comfort + Joy Dinner Sponsor) and Mark Bryan (Future Today Institute) listen to IR27 Session at LondonHouse Chicago

Photography by Christopher Dilts

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Tara Headly (IA Interior Architects) and Gilbert Broco (Corporate Interiors) celebrate dinner at the Tortoise Supper Club

Photography by Christopher Dilts

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INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE REPORTS

IIDA Industry Roundtable Report 26
2024
| The New Face of Design
Presenting Sponsor: Kimball International
Cultural Engagement Sponsor: Mohawk Group
Hospitality Sponsor: Momentum Textile & Wallcovering
Session Sponsor: USG Ceilings

The New Face of Design: Creating for Humanity in a Tech-Enabled Future | Centering Humanity in Tech-Enabled Design | The Sustainability Challenge crowd-sourcing with the Industry Roundtable think tank | Big Qs/IR Answers: The Relationship Edition for designers/manufacturers | Context of Design: A tech-filled future centering design intelligence. Read more about "The New Face of Design" here

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IIDA Industry Roundtable 25
2023
| The Future
Presenting Sponsor: Mohawk Group
Session Sponsor: Kimball International
Session Sponsor: USG

The 2023 event marks the 25th iteration of the distinctive, thought-provoking, and immersive event. Hosted by IIDA’S EVP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA at the Four Seasons at Rancho Encantado Resort, guests gathered for a weekend addressing “The Future.” Featuring exclusive behind the scenes tours of Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, sponsored by the Mohawk Group; keynote speakers Bill Grant, Llisa Demetrios, and futurist Mark Bryan; as well as break-out discussions and more. Read more about "The Future" here

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IIDA Industry Roundtable 24
2022 | Designing What's Next: Toward Greater Equity, Relevance, and Resiliency
Presenting Sponsor: Pivot Interiors
Hospitality Sponsor: Mosaic Companies

Industry Roundtable 24 marked a return to gathering, and challenging guests to keep their minds open: open to our fellow humans, open to new ideas, and open to a wider range of possible futures. Gathering at the Four Seasons at Rancho Encantado Resort, the weekend investigated key insights from designing for healthcare during the pandemic, foundational practices to advance EDI initiatives, circular economies, sustainability, and of course, the future. Read more about "Designing What's Next: Toward Greater Equity, Relevance, and Resiliency" here

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IIDA Industry Roundtable 23
2020
| What Clients Want: The Future of Place, Experience, and Worklife
Host Sponsor: Design Works, a BMW Group Company
Presenting Sponsor: Pivot Interiors

Industry Roundtable 23 gathered at the technology-rich Design Works for an investigation into “The Future Of.” The summit featured speakers and panelists that explored themes of “what clients want” through the lens of on-demand technology, capturing workplace behavior, designing for end-users, achieving emotionally “sticky” design, the future of women in design, and sustainability. Read more about "What Clients Want: The Future of Place, Experience, and Worklife" here

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IR27 2025 Design Visionary Sponsor

IR27 2025 Community and Celebration Sponsor

IR27 2025 Dinner of Comfort and Joy Sponsor

IR27 2025 Session Sponsor