EVENTS
Upcoming Events:
Sites + Sips | Helix
Come join IIDA on a tour of Helix's brand new Crossroads office space! Enjoy light refreshments and see beautiful, cutting edge office space that creates a flexible and collaborative environment for the Helix team.
Helix Architecture + Design set up its new studio at 220 W. 18th Street, bringing contemporary, boutique office space within a historic setting. The buildings are owned by developer and philanthropist Shirley Bush Helzberg, who has revitalized numerous properties in the urban core.
As some of the only remaining Film Row buildings in the country, the structures presented many opportunities for design inspiration. Helix developed a concept inspired by Hollywood but intentionally shifted away from the idea of glamor to instead elevate the sophisticated, yet behind the scenes, nature of the space.
In Helix’s studio, historic details blend with modern finishes to create the ideal workplace for an integrated architecture and interior design firm. The open workstations are organized around areas for teams to activate the office with pin-up, touchdown spots for collaboration, and makerspace for hands-on design. The studio is a place where every detail tells a story and ideas come to life.
The tour will be led by IIDA International Board President and Helix President Erika Moody, FIIDA; Former IIDA Mid-America President and Helix Principal Alissa Wehmeuller, IIDA; and IIDA Mid-America President-Elect Sofia Acosta.
Night at the Races | Wichita
Get your big hats and bow ties ready for some friendly competition as we head off to the races! IIDA Mid-America Chapter’s Night at the Races is back! We invite you to join us for our Kentucky Derby themed games, food, and cocktails to make for thoroughbred good time at Douglas Social on April 24, 2025 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
Prizes for:
Dapper Dan: Best Gents Hat & Ensemble
Too Hot to Trot: Best Ladies Hat & Ensemble
Horse Race Champion
Plus raffle items!
All proceeds go towards supporting the 2025 mission of the IIDA Mid-America Chapter. We bet you won’t want to miss this action!
Casino Night 2025
Come celebrate the 2nd Annual Casino Night on April 17th! Experience the thrill of Las Vegas with an exciting evening of blackjack, roulette, craps, and more. Dress in your best "fun cocktail" attire and enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Don’t miss out on a night of fun and excitement!
Sites + Bites | Westlink Library
We invite you to join us Thursday, April 10th from 12pm-1pm to tour the newly renovated Westlink Library!
Built in 1981, Westlink Library became the only library to serve the west side of Wichita. Originally designed by Hanney and Associates, the architecture firm had the opportunity to work again on the renovation and expansion. Westlink Library added a number of features including a dividable meeting room, classroom, multiple small group and study spaces, and a drive-up window.
Free to all IIDA members. Lunch provided following the tour.
SEEK LECTURE SERIES: Stop Chasing Balance and Start Building a Life That Works
Join us in collaboration with IIDA Great Plains Chapter as we dive into Seek Lecture Series: Session 1: Stop Chasing Balance and Start Building a Life That Works.
The Secret to Thriving with Strategy, Priorities & Discipline:
1. The Balance Mirage
2. The Shift to Thriving
3. The "Big Rock" Principle
4. The Art of Letting Go
5. Thriving vs. Surviving
Member Luncheon - Wichita
You are the key to our success! Join us Tuesday, March 18th for our Annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon at River City Brewing Co in Wichita.
Lunch to be served in the Barrel Room located on the 2nd floor. No cost for all active members. Please use ticketing to ensure enough food is provided.
For questions or dietary restrictions, please contact Natalie Woods, natalie@encompas.com
Develop You - Part 4
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a professional! Join us for Part 4 of our Develop You Series, featuring an informative session with Jackie Pringle, an attorney at Spencer Fane LLP. Jackie will cover the fundamentals of estate planning, including Wills, Trusts, Health Care Power of Attorneys, and Durable Power of Attorneys.
Jackie focuses her practice on providing clients with legal counsel on complex tax matters including estate planning; probate and trust administration; tax controversy; state and local tax issues; and entity formation. Her clients include businesses of all sizes as well as high net worth individuals.
Lunch will be provided.
Advocacy Day - Rescheduled
Join IIDA Mid-America & Gateway chapters for our annual Advocacy Day which has been rescheduled for March 4th at the capitol! Along with other Interior Designers, design students & affiliates from across Missouri, we’ll travel to Jefferson City to meet & mingle with state legislators. This is your opportunity to build relationships, discuss key issues, & educate others on what it means to be an Interior Designer. Whether you're an experienced advocate or totally new to the process, this annual event is a great way to learn about legislative advocacy in Missouri, connect with other engaged citizens & will leave you feeling inspired to get involved! We hope you will join us!
General Schedule:
8am - leave KC to drive to Jefferson City
10am - arrive at the Capitol & meet w/ our Lobbyist
10:30 - 11am small group breakouts to mingle w/ legislators & senators
11:30 - 1pm lunch (location TBD)
1 - 3pm sit at our table in the Capitol rotunda
3pm - depart the capitol to return to KC
Based on who is interested in going and whether they are going half or full day, we will communicate carpooling options for the trip to and from Jeff City.
Curated Connections with Kali Buchanan
Immerse yourself in an evening of engaging discussions and meaningful networking with fellow designers. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just beginning your journey, this event is crafted to inspire and strengthen connections within the design community. Don’t wait—tickets are limited, so secure yours now!
This quarter's event will be led by Kali Buchanan at her home. The address will be shared with attendees the morning of the event. Our IIDA Curated Connections events intentionally bring together designers with diverse experience levels. Whether you are a new designer in the industry or a seasoned professional, we'd love to have you join us for this unique mentorship experience.
Kali Buchanan, Owner & Designer, RID, IIDA, NCIDQ
Buchanan hails from Kansas State University’s Interior Design Program and has a wealth of knowledge in a diverse range of project types, including Retail, Hospitality, Residential, Workplace & Wellness. As the owner of KBID, Kali’s work prides itself on unique client-specific solutions with a modern aesthetic preference.
Outside of her design practice, Kali’s effort is also spent on serving on the Kansas State University’s Interior Design Advisory Board and the local International Interior Design Association chapter. Her appreciation of the arts often leads her out into the community, seeking inspiration and enjoying a variety of culinary experiences and shopping adventures.
NCIDQ Study Session
Are you preparing for the NCIDQ this spring? Looking for a study group? Join our participant-led study sessions! These sessions will take place on the Tuesday following the IIDA Headquarters NCIDQ Prep Course, offering a chance to review and collaborate with peers. Locations will be emailed directly to attendees for each event.
Session 1: February 4th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 2: February 25th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 3: March 4th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 4: March 25th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
IIDA will provide study snacks and beverages to keep you fueled.
Click here for more information about the IIDA Headquarters NCIDQ Prep Course, https://iida.org/program-pages/ncidq-prep-course
Sign up to receive IIDA Mid-America's NCIDQ Resources here.
Advocacy Day
Join IIDA Mid-America & Gateway chapters for our annual Advocacy Day on February 12th at the capitol! Along with other Interior Designers, design students & affiliates from across Missouri, we’ll travel to Jefferson City to meet & mingle with state legislators. This is your opportunity to build relationships, discuss key issues, & educate others on what it means to be an Interior Designer. Whether you're an experienced advocate or totally new to the process, this annual event is a great way to learn about legislative advocacy in Missouri, connect with other engaged citizens & will leave you feeling inspired to get involved! We hope you will join us!
General Schedule:
8am - leave KC to drive to Jefferson City
10am - arrive at the Capitol & meet w/ our Lobbyist
10:30 - 11am small group breakouts to mingle w/ legislators & senators
11:30 - 1pm lunch (location TBD)
1 - 3pm sit at our table in the Capitol rotunda
3pm - depart the capitol to return to KC
Based on who is interested in going and whether they are going half or full day, we will communicate carpooling options for the trip to and from Jeff City.
Portfolios & Professionals Plus
IIDA Campus Relations is hosting our annual "Portfolios and Professionals PLUS" event Friday, February 7th, 2025 at HOK Kansas City. This event connects students with professionals in the interior design field for portfolio reviews and firm tours. Volunteer information will be sent to member emails. Please contact Beth Witsken (ewitsken@hollisandmiller.com) with any questions.
Schedule:
9:15 – 10:00am Student and professionals may begin arriving to get signed in and settled at their tables or gathered to go on tours
10:00am – 12:00pm Portfolio review + firm/showroom tours
12:00 – 1:15pm Lunch with special presentation from Denise Calehuff, Steelcase’s Global Principal of Design Alliances - “Sparking Your Leadership Journey: A Workshop for Inspiration and Connection”
1:15 – 1:30pm After lunch break / setup
1:30 – 3:30pm Second round of portfolio reviews + firm/showroom tours
3:30 – 4:30pm Product Mocktail Hour! Grab a mocktail and meet with some of our amazing local product reps. There will be a prize raffle, so please stick around and socialize!
NCIDQ Study Session
Are you preparing for the NCIDQ this spring? Looking for a study group? Join our participant-led study sessions! These sessions will take place on the Tuesday following the IIDA Headquarters NCIDQ Prep Course, offering a chance to review and collaborate with peers. Locations will be emailed directly to attendees for each event.
Session 1: February 4th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 2: February 25th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 3: March 4th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Session 4: March 25th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
IIDA will provide study snacks and beverages to keep you fueled.
Click here for more information about the IIDA Headquarters NCIDQ Prep Course, https://iida.org/program-pages/ncidq-prep-course
Sign up to receive IIDA Mid-America's NCIDQ Resources here.
Make & Mingle
Join us for an evening of creativity and fun at ADHDIY , the ultimate craft night where you can unwind, make something beautiful, and meet new friends! Whether you're a crafting pro or a beginner, we’ve got all the supplies and guidance you need to create your next masterpiece.
Bring your friends, get crafty, and enjoy some light refreshments as you unleash your artistic side! Space is limited to 10, so be sure to reserve your spot today. We can't wait to craft with you!
CEU Opportunity
Join us for our next virtual CEU opportunity! Light plays a critical role in the spaces we construct and for the people who ultimately inhabit them. As the built environment transforms from the assembly of inanimate materials crafted by a series of independent trade artisans to P world of intelligent, interconnected solid state electronic devices throughout a facility that embraces the Internet of Things (IoT), new methodology is the imperative.
The advancement of LED technology has disrupted the electric lighting industry. As the rate of innovation continues, opportunities rise to leverage the aesthetic and performance of LED sources in ways that were never possible with fluorescent and other legacy sources. Yet many products being delivered to market are relatively unchanged from their incandescent and fluorescent predecessors. Rather than being an expansion of the creative palette, products are regressively inhibiting progress for the design profession as it tries to reimagine and redefine the way spaces are constructed and utilized.
Advocacy CEU
Join IIDA Mid-America & Gateway Chapters VP's of Advocacy, Katie Kenagy & Kelly Kirtland as we discuss what it means to be a Commercial Interior Designer and the importance of our involvement in commercial projects. Get an overview of the education, experience & examination requirements needed to become a commercial Interior Designer as well as updates on current Interior Design regulation & legislation in the state of Missouri.