Albany Receives New International Interior Design NY City Center
Interior designers, architects from across Upstate New York to join industry networking organization
The International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) New York Chapter is excited to announce the introduction of the new IIDA New York Chapter Albany City Center in Albany, New York. The City Center, launched earlier this year, serves as a unique local resource for career, volunteer and student mentorship opportunities, as well as continuing education and professional development for the growing design community in the New York capital.
The IIDA New York Chapter Albany City Center was started by Katrina Merolle Hay, interior designer at 3t architects, and Jill Yard, owner of Division 9 Design. Hay and Yard wanted to create a community for designers, architects and other industry professionals where they could find inspiration, meet fellow peers, and discuss timely topics in the A&D world.
Hay and Yard are also joined by Bonnie Hoch, the IIDA New York Chapter Vice President of City Centers, responsible for overseeing the Albany, Buffalo and Rochester City Centers. The position was recently established by the IIDA New York Chapter, and Hoch, contract and site sales specialist at JANUS et Cie, will serve as an adviser and key liaison.
Working with Lynn Caprisello, director of the Sage College Interior Design Program, the City Center provides student mentorship, as well as continuing education and professional development for the growing design community in the Upstate NY Capital District. The group will also actively advocate for the interior design profession in New York State, a passionate endeavor for interior designers.
“There are a lot of design professionals in our region but there seems to be no sense of a design community,” said Hay. “Our goal is to create opportunities to interact, share resources, and ultimately to support each other and the interior design industry”.
The IIDA New York Chapter Albany City Center held its first event, “Mix and Mingle,” on February 19, where about 30 professionals gathered at chic steakhouse Black & Blue Steak and Crab, with many showing interest in joining the organization as board members. The event was sponsored by Interface and Herman Miller and guests got the chance to take part in a drawing for a Steelcase Gesture Chair donated by Interiors By RAS.
“I have already met some great people in the few months since we’ve started and I am genuinely excited to be a part of our growing design community through IIDA New York Chapter Albany City Center,” Hay added.
With more than 800 members, the IIDA New York Chapter is the leading professional networking and educational association for design and architecture professionals across the state. This new IIDA NY Chapter Albany City Center is hoping to follow suit, finding those who are passionate about architecture and design to become members and get involved. For more details on the IIDA New York Chapter and upcoming events, visit http://iidany.org/.
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter is a professional networking and educational association of more than 800 Members in ten specialty Forums. IIDA NY provides members with the resources to reach expertise, knowledge and contacts. Networking events allow professionals and industry members to connect on more personal terms that encourage trust, collaboration, and innovation.
