IDC Design Symposium 2022

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Welcome – Registration & Networking | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

PROpel panel

This panel discussion will bring interior designers, educators, and expert volunteers together to share about their experiences within the interior design industry, the impact that volunteering has had on their careers, and expert tips for success and becoming a leader. Additionally, the panelists will discuss IDC’s structure, and how to get involved and become a volunteer within the association.

This panel accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Sponsored by:

Panelists:

Trevor Kruse 

Chief Executive Officer, IDC  

Trevor Kruse has enjoyed a 35-year career as a professional interior designer along with nearly three decades of volunteer service on provincial, national, and international boards, including the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the Society of British Interior Designers (SBID), and the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI). He has forged strong relationships with academia, government, media, industry partners, and design trade shows and events, along with IDC’s allied associations such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) 

Keshia Caplette  

Vice President, IDC Board of Directors  

Keshia Caplette is a versatile and innovative Interior Designer with the Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan (IDAS). With over eight years of experience in the interior design, architectural and construction industries, Keshia has worked on a variety of projects ranging from residential, multi-family, industrial and institutional work, along with healthcare and corporate ventures. For Keshia, the last the last three years of serving on IDC’s board of management has been an opportunity to grow, both as a designer and an individual. Keshia brings a strong voice for members from across the country based on the network that she has helped grow through the PROpel program and her involvement with board activities. Keshia strongly believes in the advocacy efforts that the board has undertaken and is passionate about ensuring the interior design professions is moving forward. 

Jason Kasper 

President-Elect, CIDQ Board of Directors  

Jason is a proud Canadian interior design practitioner and advocate, based in Winnipeg, Man., and has been in practice for the past 25 years. He has spent his career focused on the belief that you get out what you put into something – and this has driven his passion to volunteer his time to organizations that he believes in. He is currently Principal of IDEATE Design Consulting Inc., a design firm that he began in 2002. Founded on the principle that good design should be accessible to all, IDEATE has continued to honor its mandate around attracting a diverse roster of clients with individual and specialized needs. He is committed to the Education, Examination, and Experience model of professional development and has done all he can to walk it and breathe it, living up to the excellent example set by the mentors that surround him, and working to be the same kind of mentor for those who are coming up all around him. 

Merissa Reed  

Interior Designer at HOK Ottawa; ARIDO, IDC, LEED Green Associate 

Merissa is a Registered Interior Designer at HOK in Ottawa, a former participant of the PROpel program and a member of IDC’s Design Symposium planning committee. She believes in the importance of being passionate about what you do to provide well thought out, equitable, accessible designs that meet client and end-user requirements.  She likes to give back to the design community and the planet through volunteerism and sustainability both in her work and personal life and has been on multiple professional committees since graduating from Algonquin College in 2017. Merissa is an NCIDQ Registered Interior Designer with ARIDO and IDC and has recently earned the LEED Green Associate credential. Continued personal and professional growth is important to her, with future learning pursuits including further green building practices and certifications, project management, and building standards. 

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PROpel Brainstorming

Panel attendees and PROPel Emerging Leaders Program participants will get an opportunity to pose direct questions to the panelists, and discuss their own experiences, growth, and aspirations with the panelists and attendees.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hip Hop Architecture | Keynote by Michael Ford

Attendees will learn to use popular culture, specifically music, as a provocation for design innovation, empathy building, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Michael Ford, known as the “Hip-Hop Architect,” is an architect, designer, educator, and keynote speaker whose years of research, publications and lectures seek to fuse his two passions, hip-hop culture and architecture. In hip-hop architecture, Ford provides an alternative to the western canon in architecture and urban theory. This model not only celebrates diversity, but it is also appealing to young people of color, encouraging them to join the profession and think critically about the built environment they live in. Ford is a professor in the architecture program at Madison College and founder of BrandNu Design.

This presentation accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Sponsored by:

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Networking Coffee | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Future of Retail Design – Presentation by Mardi Najafi

Explore the ever-evolving retail landscape through the transformative power of music. Think beyond the traditional walls of bricks and mortar, as we look to merge physical and digital spaces to inspire and transport customers to another place in a highly memorable way.

Join us for this session as speaker Mardi Najafi, Vice President, Retail Strategy and Design at Figure3, uncovers the powerful connections beyond the transaction by identifying new motivations and mindsets while creating powerful experiences designed to resonate with the target consumer. The conversation continues beyond the presentation with a panel discussion featuring Mardi and other industry experts, followed by a live Q&A.

This presentation accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Presenter:

Award-winning, multidisciplinary designer Mardi Najafi has been immersed in the world of design for over 25 years. From Paris to New York and Toronto, his experience bringing branded retail environments to life spans both small businesses and Fortune 500 brands such as Coca-Cola Canada, Adidas, Virgin Mobile, Penguin Shop, and Versace. With a passion for creating unique, immersive moments with unexpected details, Mardi continues to transform the retail experience as Vice President, Retail Strategy and Design at Figure3. An accomplished speaker, educator, and panelist, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and is actively committed to industry innovation and mentorship through his volunteer work with various professional design advisory committees and higher education institutions. Mardi is currently the President of RDI Canada.

Sponsored by:

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Future of Retail Design – Panel Discussion

Building on the presentation by Mardi Najafi, the panel will address the future of retail design with insight and perspectives of industry experts.

Moderator:

Glen Brewer is President, and Managing Partner of Midgley Tecnica, a distributor in the porcelain tile sector. He is a current IDC board member, representing manufacturers and suppliers. Glen is also IDC’s industry committee chair and leads and moderates IDC’s Sales Professionals Training Course. Glen is a strong advocate for designers and the design community, he is a past winner of IDC’s Legacy Award for Distinguished Service, the most prestigious individual award presented by IDC. Glen currently sits on a variety of additional boards and committees, including The Retail Design Institute, Sheridan College, and DDA. Glen is also an author and presenter for IDCEC CEUs. He is an active participant in IDC’s national DesignEX shows, as both a speaker/presenter and table-top attendee. His company is a strong advocate of IDC as an Industry Partner member.

Panelists:

Craig Patterson, B.COMM., LL.B. 

Publisher, Retail Insider Media Ltd. 

Craig Patterson is the Publisher of Retail Insider, Canada’s retail industry news publication that he founded in 2012.  Craig is also an advisor to the University of Alberta Centre for Cities and Communities, and has studied the Canadian retail industry for the past 25 years. He holds Bachelor of Commerce and Law degrees and is a former lawyer and is currently a public speaker on the retail industry with a particular focus on luxury brands, shopping centres, branding, strategy and urban nodes.  

Jean-Paul Morresi, B.Arch, RDI 

Founder & CCO 

Autside Agency Ltd. 

Jean-Paul Morresi is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Autside Agency, a retail focused creative agency based in Toronto, Canada. His retail career spans more than three decades, starting with his role as a Visual Merchandiser at Club Monaco, and including 20+ years with Watt International, where he served as the Partner, Creative, leading all creative teams. 

Alicia Esposito 

Vice President, Content – Retail 

TouchPoints and the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo 

Alicia Esposito is the VP of Content for Retail TouchPoints and the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo. She focuses on creating content that is meaningful and actionable for executives who visit Retail TouchPoints.com, listen to the Retail Remix podcast and attend the company’s various digital and in-person events.  

In her work, she has interviewed some of the top C-level executives from retail brands, design firms and tech companies, and has recently focused on analyzing some key trends in social commerce, store design and community-driven commerce models. 

Neal Claassen 

Vice President, Corporate Development (Canada)  

Visual Elements  

Neal Claassen is the VP Corporate Development (Canada) for Visual Elements, who helps retailers develop superior quality consumer environments and develop new products and finishes to meet the demands of a globally competitive retail sector. With almost three decades experience in store fixture manufacturing, Neal knows how to make the visual side of a brand identity take form. 

Neal helped create the brand SEVENPOINT Interiors to leverage this knowledge for cannabis retail, and has helped create and develop almost one fifth of all cannabis retail stores in Canada. Neal has either written or been featured in many industry magazine articles, including Cannabis Retailer, Heads Lifestyle and Cannabis Prospect magazine. Neal created the PAVE student design challenge, a premier annual global student retail design competition, and continues his involvement today. Neal is also a high level ski instructor, a performance level ski coach, and a rugby coach.  

Neal studied economics at Carleton University. 

Deborah Delaney  

Associate Vice President of Design, Construction and Sustainability  

Canadian Tire 

Deborah Delaney is the Associate Vice President of Design, Construction and Sustainability for Canadian Tire. Prior to the current role Deborah was leading all Design, Construction and Procurement for the largest Sporting Goods and Work/Casual apparel brands Canada- wide within Mark’s and Sport Check.  

Before finding her passion in retail, Deborah worked in a wide range of design disciplines, projects and roles in North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe,  

Deborah resides in Calgary, Canada. She supports various community building charities and has earned a reputation as mentor and advocate for women in construction. 

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Networking | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Networking and Cocktails

Enjoy delicious refreshments generously provided by Cosentino.

Sponsored by:

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Design Tour (optional) – Spin Master by Gensler

This space, which was designed for creators of a children’s animated series is an environment that conveyed the refined talent of the artists, writers, actors and producers that their business employs.
Every part of the office design was considered to give the creative teams every tool needed to collaborate across disciplines: digital technology, whiteboards, blackboards, pin-up space, inspirational content library (like books, magazines and toys), blank canvases, gallery walls, focus spaces, collaborative spaces, brainstorm and audio production studios, p-board storage, even ample daylight and greenery. Everything was carefully considered and located to be intuitive and enhance innovative thinking.

This tour accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Location:

Spin Master by Gensler

225 King St W #200

Toronto, ON M5V 3M2

View map

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Design Tour (optional) – Flight Centre by Figure3

The open, contemporary office tells a story of world travel, while fostering connection and lasting employee bonds. Flight Centre offers elements which were missing in previous spaces, from small retreats, to inspirational escapes and the “Common” which links and supports the organization’s culture. Finally, the company’s culture of fun and community has been realized. Compelling and innovative experiential art, separate areas dedicated to focusing, teaming, socializing and celebrating, invigorate the staff, and ties them to their new surroundings. The client is thrilled, and the artistic direction was so well received, it has been rolled out to a second Flight Centre office in Vancouver. With pride of place, Flight Centre hosts client events in the Flight Deck, and even offers it as a rental event space for outside vendors.

This tour accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Location:

Flight Centre by Figure3

35 McCaul Street

Toronto ON M5T 1V7

View map

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

From Big Data to Your Data: How Data-Driven Technologies are Shaping the Future | Keynote by Nora Young

Big Data is a big buzzword these days, but beyond the hype, our ability to gather, share and analyze data is driving many of the major technological shifts that are shaping our future.
From Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, to Smart Cities and the Internet of Things, Nora Young explains the top data-driven trends shaping our world, and the challenges and opportunities they offer.
We’ll see the impacts of these shifts at the macro level of the economy and society, but also at the personal level, in our health, and the jobs the next generation will be moving into.
Nora is the host and creator of CBC’s SPARK, a fun and informative look at new technology, that explores how it is changing our relationships, our work, and our culture. As a journalist, author, and speaker, Nora explores how new technology shapes the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. Her book, The Virtual Self, on the explosion of data about our behaviours, opinions, and actions, is published by McClelland and Stewart.

This presentation accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Networking Coffee | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Science in Design: Neuroaesthetics and the Future of Design | Presentation by Mike Peterson

Discover how the study of neuroaesthetics, cognitive architecture and biophilia are used to promote health-based design. Are you using the new “wearable technology” to improve your design process? Hear from North America’s leading science and medical authorities about the importance of human centric design. Learn why biophilic design is a fundamental NEED for your clients.

Presenter:
Mike Peterson is the President of Visionary Design Marketing. He is a Speaker, Author, Business Coach, Brand Marketing Specialist and Co-Founder of the Science in Design Summits. As a leading advertising executive and publisher of the esteemed national shelter publications House Beautiful and Country Living, Mike worked with both regional and national brand marketers and advertising agencies. As the Publisher at LUXE Magazine for nearly a decade, the LUXE brand exploded both in popularity, brand recognition, and increased sales. In this capacity, Mike developed close relationships with luxury design firms, design centers and interior designers in helping them grow their businesses. Mike’s stellar resume includes leadership roles at some of the most established and beloved furniture brands in the nation. He served as President and CEO of LaBarge Furniture, and as Vice President/Corporate Marketing for MASCO’S Home Furnishings Division. Mike is a regular keynote presenter Mike is a regular keynote presenter at TISE, BoldSummit, IFDA functions, ASID events, ADAC, High Point Furniture Market, LivABLE Design Summit, Pacific Design Center, San Francisco Design Center, Dallas Market Center and the Science in Design Summits.

This presentation accounts for one IDCEC – Health, Safety, Welfare hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Sponsored by:

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Future of Design: The Necessary Rise of Inclusive Design | Presentation by Ian Rolston & Breakout

This presentation will encourage dialogue and share methods to adopt inclusive design approaches within the daily practice of design while seeking to inspire industry professionals to imagine an inclusive world that is powered by your creativity and sense of humanity. As our world becomes smaller and smaller, humanity aspires to provide care, work, and play and live connected experiences that are more meaningful. As designers, it is our responsibility to create considerate environments that support this quality of life for all. This is the Future of Design.

Presenter:
Ian Rolston is IDC’s president and a design director, principal, thought leader and speaker. He has worked with transformative firms in Canada and in the U.S. across multiple sectors such as hospitality, education, transportation, retail, corporate and residential. Ian has collaborated with leaders of industry across three continents. Now collaborating with Decanthropy, a platform for new thinking in the inclusive design space, Ian develops content that transforms the creative process for people, organizations and businesses. As “Lead Decanthropist,” Ian helps leadership teams innovate with clarity, passion, and consideration to distinguish collaborators’ spaces in the marketplace. Ian is passionate about compelling stories, architectural discipline, and innovation. His personal mandate is to inspire and support collaborators to create solutions that make a difference.

This presentation accounts for one IDCEC hour. Participants will receive their certificates of completion via email following the webinar and will need to self report their hours.

Sponsored by:

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Break | Colour and Light Experience

Benjamin Moore & Lutron in perfect harmony…

Quality light and colour are always a critical part of every space and design. Understanding how varying lighting will impact not only the colour of the design space but also how it looks, feels, and functions is key to your aesthetic. When you find the perfect colour, only Benjamin Moore paint will produce it perfectly under all lighting conditions.

Come experience how light impacts colour selection with Ketra by Lutron and how lighting controls create powerful and personalized smart spaces—providing the ultimate in colour and design solutions.

Sponsored by:

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Pre-awards Cocktails

Join IDC on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. ET at Malaparte in Toronto, Ont. for cocktails on the scenic patio overlooking the city. There will be a photo booth for attendees to capture beautiful moments with their friends and colleagues, music and cocktails, as we prepare for the IDC Awards Celebration. View map.

7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Awards Celebration

Join IDC on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET at Malaparte in Toronto, Ont. to celebrate and honour our members’ achievements at this year’s live and in-person awards celebration. The event will celebrate winners of the 2022 Value of Design Awards (VODA), recognize participants of the PROpel Emerging Leaders program, winners of the Innovation in Design Thinking Student Competition, and recipient of the Legacy Award for Distinguished Service.

Sponsored by: