Our history
IIDA was founded in 1994 as the result of a merger of the Institute of Business Designers (IBD), the International Society of Interior Designers (ISID), and the Council of Federal Interior Designers (CFID). The goal of the merger was to create an international association with a united mission that would represent Interior Designers worldwide. Since that date, IIDA has worked to convene communities of Interior Designers across regions and specialties representing the interests for the entire community.
2025
IIDA NY Chapter Celebrates 30 years
2024
Christin Weaver
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2024
Dale Greenwald
At Leaders Breakfast Dale Greenwald received the Leadership Award of Excellence. Celebrating his mastery of design thinking, harnessing its transformative potential to enhance the human experience. Guided by an open-minded approach and an unwavering dedication to precision, he places teamwork at the forefront of his endeavors.
2024
Color Invasion: theme of the year Biophantasia
2024
Pioneering Design
In April, Pioneering Design held the first ever fireside chat with Cindy Allen Editor in Chief of Interior Design and Cheryl Durst President of IIDA. These two Global Icons bantered about their start in the industry, challenges they faced and where they see the industry going in the future.
2024
Lauren Rottet
Founding Principal and President of Rottet Studio, Lauren Rottet, received the IIDA Icon Award. Known as an innovator and teacher, devoting significant time to the advancement of the profession of design and architecture.
2023
Alex Davis
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2023
Changemaker Award
In 2023, IIDA NY was awarded the Changemaker Award for the Hazel Siegel Scholarship. Recipients of the Hazel Siegel Scholarship were awarded an all-expense paid, three-day trip to the IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter’s SHIFT Student Conference in Dallas, TX.
2023
Hilda Longinotti
The 2023 Leadership Award of Excellence Honoree was Hilda Longinotti, architecture and design liaison, Herman Miller. Hilda worked for Herman Miller from 1974 to 2009. Longinotti’s strong knowledge of design and her wide acquaintance in the architectural and design community enabled her to develop a pilot program for strengthening communication between Herman Miller and the design community.
2023
Color Invasion: Gala of Thieves
2023
DEX
After a digital hiatus DEX returned in person, our Designer Round Table Discussion returned to the Prince Goerge Ballroom, reconnecting our Industry to fellow creatives in different professions.
2022
Sarah Levine
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2022
Jennifer Graham
At Leaders Breakfast Jennifer Graham was honored with the Leadership Award of Excellence, co-founded LMNOP (Leadership, Mentoring & Networking Opportunities) in 2009. This non-profit organization supports personal and professional development in the design community. In 2020, LMNOP partnered with IIDA NY to further its mission. Additionally, Graham was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by her alma mater, NYSID, the same year, recognizing her significant contributions to the design field.
2022
Color Invasion: Color Invasion Intergalactic Cosmic Extravaganza
2022
Healthcare Forum
Healthcare Forum returned with in depth panel discussion about how the digital transformation in healthcare has changed the way we experience care by blending physical and digital engagement.
2022
Jean Anderson
Jean Anderson was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2021
Elsie St. Ledger
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2021
Equity Council Introduced
2021
Mavis Wiggins
Mavis Wiggins was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2021
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2021
EJ Lee
EJ Lee was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2020
Erin Ruby
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2020
Syracuse
Syracuse City Center is launched
2020
Work From Home
We went virtual for the bulk of the year
2020
Career Conversations
Knowledge Forum invited students to explore the essentials of resume building, including effective layouts, platforms, and personal branding strategies. They gained insight into what a resume should achieve and how it fits into the overall job application process. Through discussions with industry professionals from various areas of interior design, students learned how resumes and interviews play a crucial role in securing job opportunities.
2020
Kim Farrah
Received the 2020 Spirit Award: Outstanding Board Member
2019
Annie Lee
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2019
Color Invasion: Sweet Dreams
2019
Sustainable Quilt Action
Collectively 8 Teams from Design firms spent over 2,000 hours crafting one-of-a-kind quilts from recycled material to support charity events.
2019
DEX
2019
Pioneering Design
Agents of Change, featuring Abrima Erwiah, co-founder of Studio One Eighty Nine. Focusing on creating jobs, supporting education, promoting sustainability, and collaborating with organizations like the United Nations ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and NYU Stern School of Business Studio 189 goes beyond fashion.
2018
Amy Mays
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2018
Buffalo Design Awards
Buffalo host their first Design Awards
2018
Color Invasion: Deco Follies
2018
Flannel Fest
Albany Hosts their first Flannel Fest a fun filled event with signature food, live music yard games, networking and flannel.
2018
Hospitality Forum
Retail-ity the fluid nature of design, an invigorating panel discussion led by Editor in Chief of Hospitality Design Magazine Stacy Shoemaker Rauen
2017
Barry Richards
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2017
Color Invasion: Deep Blue Sea
2017
Pioneering Design:
Expanding Perception, a human centered look at immersive design and the psychology of virtual reality lead by Caitlin Burns
2017
Robin Klehr Avia
Robin Klehr Avia was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame
2017
Julia Simet
Julia Simet was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2016
Ginger Gilden
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2016
Color Invasion: Carnevale di Venezia
2016
Iconnect
The Generation Gap panel discussed everything from blueprints to Revit, pension plans to napping pods and corner vs open offices, featuring two past presidents and industry up in coming stars.
2016
Sustainable Quilt Auction
2016
Anda Andrei
Anda Andrei was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame
2015
Katie Michael-Battagia
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2015
IIDA NY Chapter Celebrates 20 years
2015
Facilities
Facilities Forum focused on the theme "Finding Your Tribe” Exploring the evolving nature of knowledge transfer in today’s workplace.
2015
Buffcon
Buffalo hosts their first Buffcon
2015
Julio Braga
Julio Braga was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2014
Rebecca Dorris Steiger
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2014
Hospitality Forum: Neuehouse
2014
Color Invasion: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
2014
QuiLt Auction
2013
STEVEN SOUTH
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2013
Color Invasion: Under the Big Top
The carnival theme came roaring to life with costumed performers and servers, silhouettes of trapeze acrobats cast on draped fabric panels, face paint and masks abounding, and enthralling carnival games.
2013
Leaders Breakfast Hosted at Cipriani
2013
Metropolis magazine
2012
HANS GALUTERA
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2012
Peter Conant
Peter Conant was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2011
LANCE AMATO
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2011
Large Chapter of the Year
In 2011, IIDA NY was named Large Chapter of the Year by IIDA HQ.
2011
Carlos Martinez
Carlos Martinez inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2010
ALAN DANDRON
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2009
JESSICA MANN-AMATO
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2008
DALE GREENWALD
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2008
Large Chapter of the Year
In 2008, IIDA NY was named Large Chapter of the Year by IIDA HQ.
2007
RANDY FAHEY
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2006
Barbara Zieve
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2006
Paul Siskin Hof
Paul Siskin Hof Inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows
2005
Elisabeth Post Marner
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2005
IIDA NY Chapter Celebrates 10 years
2004
Guy Geier
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2003
Dina Frank
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2002
PETER CONANT
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2002
Spots of Color
In 2002, the first ever Color Invasion was held to reconnect the industry after the 9/11 attacks.
2001
PETER CONANT
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2001
Large Chapter of the Year
In 2001, IIDA NY was named Large Chapter of the Year by IIDA HQ.
2000
John Mack
President of IIDA NY Chapter
2000
Large Chapter of the Year
In 2000, IIDA NY was named Large Chapter of the Year by IIDA HQ.
1998
Danny Colvin
President of IIDA NY Chapter
1997
Ruth Mellergaard
President of IIDA NY Chapter
1996
Andrew Stafford
President of IIDA NY Chapter
1995
IIDA NY Logo
IIDA NY Chapter was incorporated on March 23rd, 1995.
Pre 1995
IIDA Logo
In 1994, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) was founded at NeoCon. The IIDA was created by merging the International Society of Interior Designers (ISID), the Institute of Business Designers (IBD), and the Council of Federal Interior Designers (CFID)