This summer, IIDA is partnering with Operation Breakthrough, a non-profit organization that supports children in poverty and their families.

Priority items needed and accepted include the following:

• Non-Perishable Foods (Refer to Food Pantry Wish List on their website)

• Diapers

• Hygiene Items (ex. toothpaste, soap, shampoo)

• Children's Clothing (ex. coats, gloves, hats)

• Books

• New Children's Toys

• Infant Equipment (ex: strollers)

For additional items, you can visit their Amazon Wishlist linked on their website. Amazon will donate 05% of all your purchases to Operation Breakthrough. Sign in at smile.amazon.com. then type "Operation Breakthrough Kansas City". 

Link to their website: https://operationbreakthrough.org/how-you-can-help/item-donations

IIDA will be collecting donations at Blip Roasters on July 25th from 8AM-12PM. Free coffee will be provided for people bringing donations. 

For any questions, email communityoutreach.iidama@gmail.com  

Join us for an evening of creativity and fun at Creative Culture, 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!

The Wichita Design Community invites you to attend the first annual Tacky Hawaiian Design Crawl. We’ll crawl between three locations and network with other professionals in the Wichita design community along the way. There will be a bus to get from one location to the next for those of you that don't want to "crawl". Each stop will have food and drinks! Thank you in advance to all of our host stops!

A $25 donation to our selected non-profit for this year - United Way -gets you in the door to three design industry locations with food, drinks, raffle items (additional tickets available for purchase to increase your odds), and summer games. Feel free to join us at any point in the evening.

There will be a trophy for the person voted to have the Tackiest Hawaiian shirt at our last stop. Hawaiian shirts, while encouraged, are optional.

First Stop: PURE Workplace
Second Stop: Alloy
Third Stop: Incite Design Studio

Additional details on sponsors to come!

Immerse yourself in an evening of engaging discussions and meaningful networking with fellow designers in Wichita on Thursday, June 12th. 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 event’s discussion will be led by Laura Tuttle at The Ninth Floor Club, where complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Our IIDA Curated Connections events brings together designers with diverse experience levels, so 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!