In February, as part of IIDA Oregon Chapter’s annual keynote speaker event, NEXT, the Advocacy Committee conducted a short Advocacy Survey. The goal of this survey was to determine how our members and other members of the design community feel about Commercial Interior Design advocacy. We were excited to see the results, the details of  which can be viewed below. With a response rate of 47% of all attendees, we heard from a variety of voices, representing multiple professional organizations and a wide range of occupations within the industry. It is clear that, for a majority of the respondents, legal recognition of Commercial Interior Designers and advocacy for the profession are issues of importance. This was true for IIDA members and non-members alike. The results also show that there are opportunities for education on the topic both within and outside the design industry. Another promising result was the number of people who expressed interest in being involved with future advocacy efforts.

Collection of this type of data is just a small part of the ongoing work that the IIDA Oregon Chapter Advocacy Committee is doing. These efforts are all part of a larger strategic plan that is currently in development, and outlines the various ways our Chapter plans to support the advancement of the Commercial Interior Design profession in the State of Oregon.

Are you interested in helping with these efforts? There are a range of ways to get involved and no small parts. An example of an upcoming opportunity is the Annual Advocacy Golf Scramble, for which we will be seeking day-of volunteers.   The registration form is available here.

We look forward to working with you!