On July 18, 2019 IDC organized its second Industry Sales Professional course of the year, this time in Halifax, generously hosted by Global Furniture Group in their Halifax showroom.
Industry Sales Professional courses are tailored exclusively to meet the needs of architecture and design industry sales professionals. The full-day course, with 15 architecture and design industry sales professionals in attendance, featured Q & A sessions with panels of registered interior designers and architects.
Attendee Kevin Smith of Teknion Furniture Systems described the experience as a “great event and a valuable investment of time”.
The day began with a conversation with IDC’s team and design members, Glen Brewer, President, Midgley Tecnica, Barbora Krsiakova, Manager of Industry Partnerships, IDC, Kara MacGregor, Co-owner, MAC Interior Design Inc., Lori Arnold, Senior Interior Designer, MAC Interior Design Inc. and Joanna Tiffin, National Architectural Service Manager, Schluter Systems (Canada) Inc. The session provided an opportunity for industry members to learn more about IDC and its various member benefits.
Glen Brewer, IDC board member and industry committee member, was the day’s moderator.
The course continued with a panel discussion with boutique firms featuring Kara MacGregor, Co-owner, MAC Interior Design Inc. and Denise Stevenson, Practice Lead for Interior Design, Senior Interior Designer, ARCHITECTURE49 Inc., followed by the large design firms round table discussion featuring panelists Dawn MacLachlan, Co-owner, MAC Interior Design Inc., Nikki Steele, Partner, FBM and Keri Koch, Principal, DESIGN 360.
Round table discussions delivered by panelists Fran Underwood, Registered Interior Designer, F. Underwood Planning & Design and Elora Wilkinson, Planner, City of Halifax provided attendees with invaluable insight from a residential perspective.
Attendees also had the opportunity to have one-on-one time with architects Ashraf Damisi, Design Coordinator, Stantec, Heather Bown, Architect, CO:WORK and Ron Burdock, Senior Architect, ARCHITECTURE49 at the architectural round table.
A presentation on current trends in green building, health and wellness, zero carbon certification, retrofits and materials presented by Lara Ryan, Regional Director, Atlantic Chapter CAGBC concluded the day.
“The event started some great conversations that I expect will continue. It was great to get a glimpse of inquiries and perspective from the sales side that has me continuing to think about how to better assist from within our firm.” says Kara MacGregor of MAC Interior Design Inc.
IDC will host the next Industry Sales Professionals Course in Toronto, Ont. in November.
For more information, please email industry@idcanada.org
