Message from the President
Hello, Mid America!
It truly is an honor to be the next Mid America Chapter President. In the role of being President, we are always striving to make our chapter better and stronger to keep up with the forever changing aspects of our industry. If you all missed my tearful speech at this year’s MADA event stating my personal goals for the upcoming term, here are a few I’d like to accomplish while on board. 1) Improve our chapter website to be more user/event friendly. 2) Create a mentor program for not only students but for entry to mid level interior designers. As well as a “reverse mentor” program. There are a lot of senior level designers that can learn from the young. For example, social media, 3D rendering programs, and so forth. 3) I’d like to implement a chapter wide “Firm Advocate” program. One of the ongoing struggles is attendance, so with recruiting individuals from each firm to be titled as the “IIDA Champion” would hopefully help spread the word about our local events in each city. Therefore raise awareness, attendance and membership. The advocate program can also reach out to industry partners such as, contractors, builders, and commercial real-estate companies to just name a few. 4) Also soon to launch will be a city center focused facebook page. This is just another avenue I would like to see happen in each of our cities, Kansas City, STL, and Wichita to build awareness of the local event details.
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is an international professional networking and educational association with over 13,000 members, in nine specialty Forums, in nine Regions with more than thirty Chapters around the world. It is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and the advancement of interior design through knowledge, value and community. The Mid America Chapter of IIDA is energetic and growing quickly, covering two states, Kansas and Missouri, with three City Centers in Kansas City, St. Louis and Wichita. We are working hard to meet the needs of our area\\\'s professional, associate, industry and student members.
Our Board of Directors will focus on strategic planning and the growth of our Chapter. This means listening to the needs of each of our City Centers and implementing ideas and practices that will serve our Members across the Chapter. Our Board of Directors is committed to working hard to be the resource for Interior Designers in our community.
In conclusion, I am so proud to be a part of this growing chapter. I was asked to give my own testimonial as to “What IIDA means to me”… IIDA means lots of things to me. It’s been a huge part of my life for the last 9 years. I first started out by just going to the local city events. As I looked around, I soon noticed that there is a whole other life to being an interior designer that I was missing out on. Everyone knew each other, they’re laughing over cocktails, sharing ideas, talking about projects, etc… Little did I know after getting involved that I would learn what I have. It’s given me insight on topics I never thought imaginable, perspective on design challenges, endless networking opportunities, and leadership skills that I use on a daily basis and will take with me forever, and most importantly, friends for life. I would not be where I am today without this organization, and therefore so thankful that I’m a member. So I ask you to think about it… “What does IIDA mean to you?” Reach out to me; I would love to hear your story.
I look forward to seeing all of your pretty faces this next year!!!
Best,
Megan Lovelace, IIDA Mid America President
