Nationally, IIDA is a professional networking and educational International Association of 13,000
Members in 10 specialty practice forums and 29 Chapters around the world. The New England Chapter
is a recognized leader in the organization through its imaginative, original and business oriented
programming. With over 500 active members and another 2,500 close followers, the Chapter provides
educational and networking programs throughout New England through its various City Centers.
Adopting the Vision and Mission of the international organization, the NE Chapter strives to create a
welcoming niche along with professional opportunities for the most talented and visionary Interior
Design professionals; working within the various state legislatures to elevate the profession to the
level it warrants, and providing an advocate for the next generation of Interior Design innovators. “The
Association provides a forum to demonstrate design professionals’ impact on the health, safety, well
being and virtual soul of the public, balancing passion for good design and strategy for best business
practices. IIDA stands at the intersection of passion and strategy.”1
Among the activities we have scheduled, on October 1, 2010, IIDANE and several organizations are
hosting Interior Design Career Day (IDCD 2010) for area students in interior design. There will be
seminars, roundtable discussions, a keynote speaker, and portfolio reviews by practicing design
professionals. Later in the month, IIDA is hosting its 12th annual Fashion Show and Benefit Gala themed
this year as REVOLUTION. The event will take place on October 28th at the Westin Copley Hotel and
attracts over 800 members of the business community for an evening of networking, supper, fashion
show, and after-event party. Our showcase event not only helps in funding Chapter programs, but also
benefits a designated charity with a portion of the profits. This event originated in Boston and is now a
featured event in many of the other chapters.
Next Spring will see the return of our annual Business Leaders Breakfast which gathers many of the area
designers, business leaders, and industry heavyweights for a networking breakfast and an opportunity
to listen to a speaker of national renown. In 2010, the Chapter heard Harvard professor and CNN
analyst David Gergen speak on the wider economic benefits that result from the encouragement of
artistic and design oriented activity.
Every June, we have our Chapter wide Interior Design Awards that recognize those projects and firms
that exemplify the outstanding talent in New England interior design. Highly coveted design awards are
given in various categories recognizing sectors and size differences.
IIDA Website 2010
Throughout the year, our popular Forums Tours give members, and non-members, the opportunity to
tour some of 2010’s winning design projects while listening from the designers, clients and contractors
speak to the individual project challenges and opportunities discovered. These are opportunities for
designers to acquire valuable CEU credits. Projects range through the New England region – which
speaks to the level of competition for the prestige of being lauded as an IIDANE award winner.
The Chapter has City Center components in some of New England’s largest design communities and a
full slate of various events are scheduled throughout the year including area design tours, “For Love of
Design” in Stamford, CT, Industry Roundtables in New Haven, CT and Boston, MA, “Art Uncorked” in
Boston, “Habitat for Humanity” weekend in Providence, the Chapter’s annual IIDANE Golf Tournament
in Hartford, CT and the annual Croquet Tournament in Newport, RI.
As Chapter President, I could not oversee our large and diverse business-oriented organization without
the enthusiastic assistance of our Executive Board, Council of Directors, and Executive Director; each
a professional leader in the industry of interior design. It is an exciting and challenging moment in
our profession with the potential to be seen as a seminal paradigm shift in our profession. IIDA New
England is helping move the profession forward toward a bright future and I am multiply blessed to be
in the right place at the right time.
R. Gabriel Zavala, IIDA, AIA is the 2010/2011 President of the IIDA New England Chapter,