Join CREW, ULI, IIDA and iaWia in a tour of Mitchellville Iowa Correctional Facility for Women (ICIW). The facility has had a strong focus on how its design and programming can impact the experience of women at the facility and their life after they leave. A large-scale overhaul of ICIW was completed in early 2017 and included renovation of six buildings and construction of five new buildings on the campus creating a 888-bed facility filled with natural light and various programs including a gymnasium, classrooms, medical clinic, dining halls and a mental health unit.

During the event we will:

-Hear from Warden Sheryl Dahm and other staff including Deanna Summy, Lorie Woodard, and Cord Overton

-Hear from Women at the Facility

-Tour the facility

Note: Tickets are limited for the event due to space constraints and an effort to ensure tours through the facility are kept small enough to provide a great experience for those attending. If you reserve a ticket and later find out you cannot make it, please let us know so that your space can be given to someone else. This can be done by e-mailing Shannon McGee with Iowa Women in Architecture at shannonm@invisionarch.com.

Please plan to arrive at the facility at 3:45 to go through security (bring your driver's license). If you have not yet arrived by 4:00 the tour will leave without you and late admittance will not be provided.

Tickets are currently portioned out to provide each organization equal opportunity for tickets. If applicable, a week prior to the event we will make available any unreserved tickets to members or non-members of the participating organizations.

Please only register for one person with each ticket as we have to provide a list of names ahead of time.

Join CREW, ULI, IIDA and iaWia in a tour of Mitchellville Iowa Correctional Facility for Women (ICIW). The facility has had a strong focus on how its design and programming can impact the experience of women at the facility and their life after they leave. A large-scale overhaul of ICIW was completed in early 2017 and included renovation of six buildings and construction of five new buildings on the campus creating a 888-bed facility filled with natural light and various programs including a gymnasium, classrooms, medical clinic, dining halls and a mental health unit.

During the event we will:

-Hear from Warden Sheryl Dahm and other staff including Deanna Summy, Lorie Woodard, and Cord Overton

-Hear from Women at the Facility

-Tour the facility

Note: Tickets are limited for the event due to space constraints and an effort to ensure tours through the facility are kept small enough to provide a great experience for those attending. If you reserve a ticket and later find out you cannot make it, please let us know so that your space can be given to someone else. This can be done by e-mailing Shannon McGee with Iowa Women in Architecture at shannonm@invisionarch.com.

Please plan to arrive at the facility at 3:45 to go through security (bring your driver's license). If you have not yet arrived by 4:00 the tour will leave without you and late admittance will not be provided.

Tickets are currently portioned out to provide each organization equal opportunity for tickets. If applicable, a week prior to the event we will make available any unreserved tickets to members or non-members of the participating organizations.

Please only register for one person with each ticket as we have to provide a list of names ahead of time.

Eastern Iowa is excited to host a workshop on Uncovering and Discovering your Strengths. Cathy Neumann of RDG Planning & Design, will lead and facilitate this workshop.

If you are interested in discovering and developing your strengths and learning how to become more efficient and productive, this event is for YOU!

This event will require you to take the Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment online BEFORE the date of the workshop. The purpose of the assessment is to provide you and the coaches the background info about your natural strengths. Cathy will use that info to lead us through the results and teach us strategies to improve upon your unique combination of talents and skills.

Don’t delay! Due to the interactive nature and individualized feedback, we will be capping this workshop’s attendance at 25 PARTICIPANTS MAX. So if you are interested, DO NOT WAIT TO SIGN UP, or there may not be room in the class!

After you register for the event, you will receive a link to the assessment website and a passcode. This passcode allows you to take the assessment and routes the feedback to our coaches. Please take the StrengthsFinder by August 11th in order to give us time to prepare the workshop materials. If you have taken the assessment, please forward your top 5 strengths to Cathy at CNeumann@rdgusa.com.

Thank you to Shive-Hattery for hosting us this evening! We will also have the opportunity to check out their new Cedar Rapids office.

Tour the Omaha Central High School Renovation! The 50,000 sq.ft. addition maintains the charm of the historic downtown building while providing space for a new digital library, a 300 seat theater, and new classrooms for the music and drama programs.

The first tour will begin at 5:00PM. The second at 6:00PM. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your tour time.

Advocacy Happy Hour: Join the advocacy small working group (IIDA and ASID) after the tour at Corkscrew Wine & Cheese in Blackstone for apps and advocacy updates!

Join Eastern Iowa for a TWO-PART philanthropy and end of year event!

Serve: Volunteer at Houses into Homes on Sunday May 19th! Click here for additional information and registration!

Socialize: Tour of Shelter House at Cross Park Place a recently completed project by Neumann Monson Architects. After the tour, we can gather at Big Grove Brewery (Iowa City Location) to reflect on the past year and highlight our amazing volunteers. 

Please join us for a much-anticipated tour of the new Smash Park, a activity-based restaurant and bar. The event will start with a tour by ASK Studio. After the tour, a Smash Park employee will then give brief game lessons. Be sure to bring proper attire to change into as we will have a reserved pickleball court.

One drink ticket will be provided!

Join us for an update about all things advocacy from across the country and right here in Nebraska. Directly following the ASID conference ‘enlighten 2019,’ Bryan Soukup will update our design community about advocacy efforts across the country and discuss efforts here in Nebraska. Brought to you by ASID & IIDA.

3:30 - Social time
4:00 - Advocacy Update and Q&A

Still need to get some CEU's?  ASID will be holding their annual conference before the advocacy event.  Click here to attend the ASID conference!

IIDA turned 25 this year and the Great Plains Chapter will be celebrating at the 2019 IDEA awards hosted in Cedar Rapids. This event honors visionary Interior Design projects, outstanding members, extraordinary student work and our Chapter Sponsors that make the efforts of our association possible!

All are invited to what is assured to be another great IDEA celebration!

Gathering of friends, cocktail's and hors d' oeuvres - 6.00pm.

Awards show - 7.30 pm.

Order tickets by Friday March 29th and receive a $10.00 discount! Enter Code Early2019 when ordering.

In this 60-minute hands-on workshop, participants will learn skills to aid in negotiating. This presentation includes a short role playing exercise that will help participants explore what holds them back from negotiating. As women, oftentimes we are so concerned about what people will think about us that it prevents us from asking for what we deserve. Whether it is negotiating a salary or raise, buying a car or home, negotiating an airline ticket refund or negotiating over hospital bills, the skills learned in this lesson will be skills the participants can apply to all aspects of life. This session is geared specifically toward women, and will focus on inherent barriers we bump into when faced with a negotiation opportunity.

Tour of IMT Insurance: An "Inside-Out" Design Approach

IMT Insurance is an employee-focused company that has been consistently recognized as one of Iowa’s top workplaces. Their new, three-story building is located on Mills Civic Parkway in WDM and reflects their vibrant culture. The new building’s design accommodates future growth, brings all employees together, and creates a workplace that showcases IMT’s values and energy.

By creating a new headquarters building designed from the inside out, employees get to work in a space created specifically for their needs. The building was designed to get employees excited about going to work; this not only improves satisfaction and productivity, but also attracts and retains talent.

Please join us to learn more about this project!

The tour will begin at 4:30 – 5:30pm. The social hour will begin at 5:30pm and end around 7:00pm at Wellman's Pub & Rooftop, 597 Market St, West Des Moines, IA 50266.

It's that exciting/nerve racking time when the students are wrapping up their final semester and putting the finishing touches to their portfolios.  Professionals, you remember how it was so let's show our support by getting together for their resume & portfolio review and a Q & A session while the students receive their headshots.

As global competition increases, organizations understand that they must create a collaborative culture that supports innovation while still responding to ongoing project demands.

Workplace research has identified that effective informal communication is a common feature of organizations that have managed this transition well. The challenge for interior designers is to understand how space planning affects where and how often informal interactions will occur.

This presentation explores the nature and importance of Informal interaction and demonstrates the practical application of Space Syntax, a method for predicting patterns of movement and interaction.

A day to bring IIDA student members together from all 5 campus centers focusing on preparing for life after college and help jump start their career.

Schedule:
• 9:30-10:00 Student Check In

• 10:00 -11:00 Professional Panel Discussion

Presented by Des Moines area professionals from other industries including:

Kylee Krizmanic, Creative Director for Meredith Travel Marketing/ Midwest Living magazine

Gina Skinner-Thebo, HR Manager at B&G Foods 

Vicki Wade, a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones Investments

-We will cover topics such as: “how to best prepare for an interview” and “tips on negotiating salary”

• 11:00-11:45 “What are Design Directors Looking For?”
Presented by Michelle Cramblit, FEH Design
-Managers prioritize certain traits during the hiring process, what does this look like? How do you stand out?

• Noon- 1:00 LUNCH CEU: “Personal Branding Through Core Values”- DSM CC Event
Presented by Emily Steele, Brand Launch
-Creating a life and ultimately a legacy of intention online and offline & how that provides opportunities for you

• 1:00-2:00 Feedback from professionals
Students will bring portfolios, resumes, etc. and have time to gain insight and feedback from IIDA professionals

*Questions: Please email studentaffairs@iida-gp.org
**Dietary Restrictions: Please email abailey@storeykenworthy.com

2019 Call for Nominations - Chapter Board of Directors: Are you interested in getting more involved in the IIDA Great Plains Chapter? Making a regional difference within the commercial interior design profession? Enhancing your leadership skills and sharing your talents? We ask all Members to consider being a leader within the Chapter and applying for an open position on the 2019 | 2020 Board or getting involved within your local City Center Committees in the coming year.

The IIDA Great Plains Chapter is active in 3 City Centers (Des Moines, Eastern Iowa, Omaha) and 5 Campus Centers (Kirkwood Community College, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska - Kearney, University of Northern Iowa) with the mission "to elevate, advocate, and celebrate the profession of Interior Design in Iowa and Nebraska". Each year we seek new ideas in how to do this through filling openings on the Chapter Board of Directors and City Center Committees, with approximately half of the Board's positions turning over each year due to staggered 2 year terms. Will you help be the change and vision for the year ahead? Apply or nominate someone today to the Chapter's Board of Directors!

Submissions / Nominations due by: January 30, 2019 by 5:00pm
Professional Membership Voting: February 25 - March 8, 2019
Election Results Announced: March 28, 2019

Open Positions: Click Here! 
Candidate Application Form: Click Here! 
Candidate Nomination Form: Click Here! 

Are you taking the NCIDQ this year, or considering signing up to take it in the near future?  Did you pass the NCIDQ recently?  Join us to meet others that are preparing for the exam to talk, ask questions and meet others you can talk to as you study and have questions.  There will be a few individuals that have recently passed the exam so they can answer questions and give advice.  

If you have questions please contact:  Tabatha Koerperick tkoerperick@opnarchitects.com

To join via Zoom Conference Call: Click here!

We will start by learning about legislative advocacy efforts as well as what you can do personally to advocate for interior design over dinner. Then we will begin a letterpress project! Each participant will leave with a set of 5 hand printed cards and envelopes showcasing skills of letterpress and hand carving/stamping.

Tour HDR Headquarters! The new facility is a collaborative, convenient and distinctly HDR work environment designed to foster teamwork and optimize productivity.

The first tour will begin at 5:00pm. The second at 6:00pm. Appetizers to follow on site.

Be An Advocate for Interior Design Registration!
Connect with Legislators to Preserve & Promote Iowa Interior Design Registration

Schedule:
11:00 - 12:00 - Room 116
Students & Members meet to review talking points & schedule meetings with legislators.
12:00 - 3:00 - Capitol Rotunda
Dedicate 90 minutes during this time frame to demonstrate your commitment to interior design professionalism in Iowa!

2019 Call for Nominations - Chapter Board of Directors: Are you interested in getting more involved in the IIDA Great Plains Chapter? Making a regional difference within the commercial interior design profession? Enhancing your leadership skills and sharing your talents? We ask all Members to consider being a leader within the Chapter and applying for an open position on the 2019 | 2020 Board or getting involved within your local City Center Committees in the coming year.

The IIDA Great Plains Chapter is active in 3 City Centers (Des Moines, Eastern Iowa, Omaha) and 5 Campus Centers (Kirkwood Community College, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska - Kearney, University of Northern Iowa) with the mission "to elevate, advocate, and celebrate the profession of Interior Design in Iowa and Nebraska". Each year we seek new ideas in how to do this through filling openings on the Chapter Board of Directors and City Center Committees, with approximately half of the Board's positions turning over each year due to staggered 2 year terms. Will you help be the change and vision for the year ahead? Apply or nominate someone today to the Chapter's Board of Directors!

Submissions / Nominations due by: January 30, 2019 by 5:00pm
Professional Membership Voting: February 25 - March 8, 2019
Election Results Announced: March 29, 2019

Open Positions: Click Here! 
Candidate Application Form: Click Here! 
Candidate Nomination Form: Click Here! 

Let's show some LOVE this week!

Members of the IIDA Great Plains Chapter are encouraged to nominate their fellow members who exemplify professionalism and design excellence in one of the categories below. No self-nominations will be accepted. Current members of the IIDA Great Plains Chapter Board of Directors are not eligible for nomination.

The IIDA Great Plains Chapter Board of Director's will determine award recipients from the nominations submitted. It is the Chapter Board's discretion to award, or not award, one or multiple winners in each category.

The winners will be announced at IDEA on April 26, 2019 in Cedar Rapids.

Deadline: Friday, February 22

To Nominate: Click Here!

Join Eastern Iowa for a tour of the recently renovated University of Northern Iowa Schindler Hall. After the tour join us for a panel discussion about NCIDQ.

A big thank you to our panelists:

Leah DeVries, Designer- Workspace

Kelly Nelson, Designer- CBRE/Heery

Cathy Koch, Designer- Saxton

Lori Wiles, Designer and Owner, Lori Wiles Design and Chair of the Iowa IDEB

We also thank Gloria Stafford and Carol Christopher for organizing this event!

Schedule of Events:

12:00 - 12:15 Gather in Schindler Hall #218

12:15 - 1:00 Lunch and Announcements

1:00- 1:45 Tour of Schindler Hall - Given by Carol Christopher

1:45 - 2:00 - Gather in Schindler #220

2:00 - 3:15 NCIDQ Panel discussion and Q&A - Available for Live Streaming

The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHPXugF68

3:15 - 3:30 Gather to network about plans for Design Day on the Hill

The IIDA Great Plains Chapter invites Members to submit their projects for the 2019 Interior Design Excellence Awards Competition. We are honored to present this annual event as it recognizes Interior Design excellence from the Omaha, Des Moines and Eastern Iowa City Centers.

Great Plains Chapter Members may submit projects from multiple market sectors and compete for recognition among their peers. The winning projects will be honored and presented at the Chapter's IDEA celebratory event on Friday, April 26, 2019 in Cedar Rapids.

Details regarding the event will be released early spring, make sure to check your email for updates or visit the IIDA Great Plains Chapter website for more information.

To register your projects: Click here!

Students, click this link to submit your projects!

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 5:00pm CST

Note about Submission Kits: Kits will be emailed to the registration contact on Friday, January 18, 2019 and must be fully completed by Wednesday, February 13, 2018 5:00pm CST.

Questions: Contact Amanda Balhorn at specialevents@iida-gp.org

Join us for an online Advocacy Legislative Workshop in preparation for Iowa's Design Day on the Hill.

Tips for Connecting with Your Legislators
The Value of Interior Design Registration in Iowa
Cyndi & John Pederson, Iowa Lobbyists
Becoming A Registered Interior Designer in Iowa
Jennifer Voorhees, IIDA Great Plains Co-VP of Advocacy (Iowa)
IIDA HQ : A National Perspective
Emily Kelly, Director of Public Policy & Legislative Affairs

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Our 2019 IIDA Student Mentoring Program is open for registration. This is a program lead by IIDA Headquarters which aims to provide aspiring designers unique opportunities to build professional connections that extend well after graduation.

We would love to have as many students and professionals participate as possible.

Mentor & Mentee Registration Closes: Thursday, January 31, 2019
Notification of Pairings: Monday, February 8, 2019

Sign up: Click Here!

With the College of Architecture Career Fair quickly approaching at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, students are preparing their portfolios and resumes to speak with various firms. Please join us on February 5th in the Gallery at UNL Architecture Hall to offer advice to students regarding their interview material.

The first half hour will be spent with the professionals on a panel, answering any questions that students may have regarding portfolios and interviews. Afterwards professionals are invited to take turns visiting with students, offering individual feedback on their portfolios and resumes.