ADVOCACY
Become an advocacy agent
Every day in Sacramento, lawmakers are making decisions about issues that affect commercial interior design and how designers’ practice. As the voice of the Industry, IIDA SoCal advocates for its members and the profession so interior designers may practice to their fullest abilities. Our goal is to monitor and track the impact of potential legislation in California and to be proactive in supporting the development of legislation that has a positive impact on the interior design industry. In partnership with our colleagues in the IIDA Northern California Chapter, networking and furthering the conversation with peer professionals and lawmakers takes priority alongside participating in legislative events, meeting with stakeholders and, giving in-person testimonies at the state capitol when called upon. We believe that by working together we can better represent you and the industry. Aside from engaging in legislative efforts, we aim to equip our members and elevate the profession through education and dialogue about what it means to be an advocate – we work with our colleagues in the IIDA Northern California Chapter to do so.
Looking for more information about legislation efforts in California? Would you like to get involved in our Advocacy efforts? Click the button below and we’ll get back to you soon.
6 Ways to Get Involved
01. Stay Informed
For the latest updates on Commercial Interior Design legislation, text “InteriorDesign” to 52886.
02. Join The Effort To Educate Local Officials
We need committed individuals from every district willing to meet with their representatives and lobby for upcoming legislation regarding how interior designers practice in the state.
Fill out this quick form to help us build our network of design advocates in California. We occasionally call upon this network to represent our membership and educate public officials about the impact we make in our communities.
03. Know Who Your Representatives Are
Find out who represents you in California’s State Senate and State Assembly by visiting findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov and searching both your home and work addresses. Once you know who represents you, follow them on social media. Remember, they work for you!
04. Host an Advocacy Workshop
If you are interested in holding a lunchtime or virtual introductory and interactive workshop about interior design advocacy in your office, please contact Gabrielle Mote at [email protected] and Nicole Grant at [email protected].
05. Become NCIDQ Certified
NCIDQ Certification is the industry’s nationwide recognized indicator of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession. IIDA argues that the qualifying exam for certified or registered commercial interior designers in California should be the NCIDQ exam.
06. Join our Advocacy Committee
Each city center committee has a position for advocacy chair or advocacy co-chairs.
Read About Our Recent Advocacy Efforts
- CALL TO ACTION: Get Up To Speed On IIDA’s 2024 Advocacy Efforts
- ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA Announce Consortium for Interior Design: Advocating for Public Health, Safety and Well-Being
- IIDA’s California Chapters Weigh in on California Legislation
- The IIDA California Chapters Support Legislation Addressing Demographics of Licensed Architects
- Legislative Aspirations Meet Political Realities
- The Governor Signs IIDA Supported Legislation into Law
- IIDA California Chapters Recognize Legislative Excellence: Susan Talamantes Eggman Awarded 2023 IIDA CA Legislator of the Year
Advocacy Podcast
The IIDA Southern California Chapter is proud to announce our podcast The Conversation Continues.
Fireside Chats is one of the educational series focused on advocacy and legislative efforts in California. It will cover how you can learn more about what advocacy in our industry is, how important it is for everyone to be involved and how you can help make a difference. The other series are centered on our EDI initiatives.
Episode 01: The History of Legislation in California with Susanne Molina
Curious about the history of Interior Design in the State of California? Wondering why we need to advocate for our profession? Well, join us in this episode as we dive into the nitty gritty and interview Susanne Molina, FIIDA, CID, LEED AP about past, present, and future efforts to establish legislation for Interior Design. Tune in to Episode 1 of Fireside Chats!
Episode 02: The Life of a Lobbyist and IIDA’s Legislative Future
Have you ever wondered how to create change? Join us for an interview with IIDA’s lobbyist, Full Moon, as we discuss what it means to be lobbyist, how IIDA is leveraging their service, and exciting news about the impact IIDA is driving in the design industry.
You can find The Conversation Continues on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.
Elevate Newsletter
A semi-annual publication from IIDA’s Northern and Southern California joint committee to elevate the commercial interior design profession in California. Click here for the latest issue. More to come soon!
IIDA HQ Advocacy
IIDA’s efforts to demystify, promote, and elevate the commercial interior design industry are unique in each state. Learn more about our national efforts at iida.org/advocacy.
