contributed by Matthew J. DeGeeter, ASID, LEED AP ID+C [interior designer, Perkins+Will / inquisitive mind / Muppets fan]

The American Society of Interior Designers [ASID] continued its leadership in supporting the needs of emerging interior designers with its second annual GO PRO: NYC on September 14 & 15, 2012. Just as the name implies, this immersive event used Manhattan as its background to engage more than 100 emerging professionals from 23 states in learning and networking opportunities geared towards providing the tools to be successful in their careers. The brainchild of the ASID Emerging Professional Advisory Council [EPAC] and their ASID headquarters support staff, GO PRO: NYC was the opportunity for attendees to enrich their own career with sharpened skill sets, inspirational perspectives from industry leaders, an expanded network, and memorable experiences.

Over the course of two days, emerging professionals attended five diverse continuing education units [CEUs] and two networking receptions focusing on professional development to help empower their careers:

PROfessional Advancement: Mastering Presentation in the Workplace – a skills workshop presented by Jason McNeely, national training manager, Hansgrohe USA, Industry Partner of ASID. Attendees learned the basics of presentation skills and how to put together an effective resume to catch an employer’s attention – essential information in today’s market. After the workshop, attendees attended the opening networking reception at the Axor NYC Design Studio where attendees rubbed elbows with seasoned professionals and media partners.

PROcess: Generative Space – a continuing education unit presented by Tama Duffy Day, FASID, FIIDA, principal and national interior design healthcare practice leader at Perkins+Will. Duffy Day presented the process of developing generative space – the concept of bringing together physical and social space to program places that are more memorable. Examples of Duffy Day’s own home as well as two clinic projects showcased how an alternative approach to designing space – instead of looking at a space program and just making the pieces of the puzzle fit in a floor plan – can positively shape the experiences and interactions of those using the space.

PROject: The New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building – a historic restoration tour of the $50 million project. Docent tours presented the group with the architectural history of the building allowing the detailing of the space to come to life. Within the history of the building, fun facts from the tour included learning about the 88 miles of underground stacks within the facility.

PROduct: Material ConneXion Library – a tour of the world’s largest library of advanced, innovative and sustainable materials and processes. Attendees were toured through the Material ConneXion materials library by Michael LaGreca, Vice President, Library Access & Academic Programs, and learned the evaluation process for a material to be included in the database.  As a bonus, attendees received a free limited time access to the online materials database.

PRO Bono Work: Empowering Architecture and Design – a keynote presentation from MASS Design Group founders Michael Murphy and Alan Ricks. The duo showcased how the design and construction process can have a major impact on the community using the Butaro Hospital project in Rwanda as their central example. The project not only filled a need for providing healthcare access, but it also built economy and empowered the community with the use of local materials, construction methods, and labor. MASS Design Group exposed how every decision a designer makes from program to materials and to methods can have lasting impact on the community. Immediately following the presentation, attendees continued to network – exchanging business cards and building relationships at the FLOR SoHo showroom. 

Additionally, a leadership luncheon was held for Emerging Professional Committee Chairs in attendance from the Society’s chapters. Lunch attendees met with ASID National President, Barbara S. Marini, FASID, IDEC, headquarters staff liaisons, and EPAC members to share their experiences as committee chairs and exchange ideas.

Photos shown here are courtesy of ASID, and you can find all photos from the GO PRO: NYC events HERE.

Generous sponsors of this event included ASID Industry Partners Axor/Hangsgrohe, Contract magazine, Cosentino, FLOR, Legrand, Teknion, The Vinyl Institute and Williams-Sonoma. Their resounding support showed that the interior design industry sees emerging professionals as the future of the profession and industry – from specifiers to buyers.