IDSA 2011 Design Dialogue Conferences

Design Dialogues: 2011 IDSA Conferences

During the month of April IDSA takes over the U.S. for five dialogues with the design profession and this year is no exception! Get ready to talk it up, network and make new friends and clients. It is IDSA conference time again and this year we will be rotating around the country between Providence, Austin, Cincinnati, St. Louis and San Jose. Ladies and gentlemen, start the clock, the countdown to the conferences has begun, registration is open and we look forward to welcoming you. The only question is where will we see you this year?

Midwest Conference

Hyatt Regency, 2011 Midwest Square, St Louis, Missouri, April 1-3, 2011

This conference, Contrast, will examine topics such as design process, career path and design research through the experiences of designers from diverse backgrounds, exploring the effects of this diversity on how we answer the important questions surrounding design today.

St. Louis, a city known by its iconic design symbol, the Gateway Arch, is the site of this year’s IDSA Midwest Conference. One of our country’s most recognized landmarks was built to honor Thomas Jefferson and his vision of a continental United States.  This 630 feet tall centenary curve Arch on the banks of the Mississippi River welcomes all from around the world. A revitalized city, St. Louis’ history includes both the Lewis and Clark’s Expedition to chart the Louisiana Purchase as well as the steamboats of Mark Twain lore.  St. Louis played an important role in the U.S. westward expansion and the many immigrants who settled here. And of course, a city description wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the prosperous breweries, especially the largest, Belgian-based Anheuser-Busch InBev. Today, this vibrant city offers all the amenities of a successful city – from major sports and arts attractions, trendy lofts and not-to-be-missed ethnic eateries and restaurants.

The newly renovated Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch is better than ever. You’ll find attractively decorated guest rooms plus a variety of dining experiences—all just steps away from the city’s signature Gateway Arch.

Northeast Conference

Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island, April 8-9, 2011

The setting for IDSA’s Northeast Conference is the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the oldest and best known U.S. colleges of art and design, located in downtown Providence. Here, students from around the world pursue a creative, studio-based education including architecture, design, fine arts and art education. In addition, the RISD library is one of the oldest independent art college libraries in the country and offers unusual depth and richness in many areas of design with strong historical and contemporary perspectives. This location provides an amazing environment with a contemporary focus for our conference.

Additionally, attendees are sure to enjoy Providence. Rich in history and culture, Providence began as a center of religious and political freedom. Among today’s cultural and academic communities, visitors enjoy a vibrant intellectual life, theater and all types dining. While conference sessions will be held on the campus of RISD, hotel accommodations for conference attendees are reserved at the conveniently located Hampton Inn & Suites. 

Mideast Conference

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 8-10, 2011

Located along the Ohio River, Cincinnati’s diverse background serves as headquarters for many well-known national and international companies such as Duke Energy, Procter & Gamble and Cincinnati Milacron. A world leader in the production of machine tools and a leader in the production of building materials, electronic equipment and even jet engines, Cincinnati is the home to 10 Fortune 500 companies. Many different offerings await visitors—from a top selection of restaurants to established arts centers to spectacular sports. 

Our headquarters hotel is the historic Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Opened in 1931 and a National Historic Landmark, the art deco features have been restored to their original grandeur. You’re sure to enjoy seeing the soaring ceiling murals and Brazilian rosewood paneling. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, the hotel is within the Carew Tower complex featuring a multitude of upscale shops and restaurants. This year’s landmark Mideast Conference held in a landmark hotel.

Southern Conference

Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Austin, Texas, April 15-17, 2011

The Business of Design—Starting, Sustaining, Evolving is the theme for the weekend IDSA 2011 Southern Conference. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an industrious student in the design field, this gathering offers a unique format with premier presentations as well as face-to-face networking opportunities. Our unique regional mix of speakers and attendees makes this dynamic conference a must to attend.

Speakers will include some of the top talents from successful corporations and universities in Austin and the surrounding region who will discuss specific and up-to-date design issues and challenges confronting our field. As a member of the growing design world, you are encouraged to be a part of this special educational conference created to expand your career outlook and improve your everyday projects in the rapidly changing field of design. A variety of timely topics based on the theme, “The Business of Design,” will meet head on to improve the future of your design career.

Carved out as a tiny settlement, Austin, Texas, is not only a state capital but a well-known music capital. As our host city, Austin reflects immigrant influences of the “Wild West,” Germany, Sweden and Mexico and is a hot spot for creativity. Much of the city’s most recent growth is the result of a technology boom and that it embraces musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and progressive thinkers.   From the launch of Dell, a Fortune 500 company, to Austin’s center of music and film, this dynamic area is known as a popular welcoming community.  As the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, each night during the summer, residents and visitors gather to watch 1.5 million bats take flight from underneath a downtown bridge. And speaking of activities, Austin hosts a multitude of live music events and tasty barbecue!  The headquarters for this year’s meeting is the well-appointed Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. With the heart of the thriving downtown business center at your doorstep, you’ll be just steps away from the best of Austin including its music, attractions, restaurants and history! 

Western Conference

San Jose University, San Jose, California, May 6-7, 2011

“Powering Silicon Valley” may be one of the apt descriptions of San Jose State University.  Conveniently located in downtown San Jose, midway between San Francisco and the Monterey/Carmel area, SJSU is part of the California State University system and has matured into a metropolitan university offering more than 150 degrees including industrial design and art.

As the hub of Silicon Valley, San Jose has become a popular destination acting as the capitol of this high technology center.  In many ways, this area runs our fast-changing technology industry and is the perfect spot for the Western Conference, poised on the edge of today’s tech world.  And this unique city offers many of the advantages and activities of cities, especially theater productions, educational museums and diverse art and design exhibitions.  From the unique Tech Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, symphony, and jazz – there is an abundance of things to do.  The sunshine climate of San Jose is filled with a myriad of sights to see and places to go.  

More about the conferences...

Who should attend?

Practitioners, students, educators and business leaders will come together again this year to learn and network at the IDSA Conferences. Five separate events are held that focus on topics of national design interest. The best of the best students will provide a short series of presentations at the end of the conference to compete for the prestigious Student Merit Awards. Profesional designers take advantage of these events to get to know the students who will be tomorrow's design stars.

Speakers

Top professionals will share valuable experiences and first-hand stories with our design audience by discussing strategies for success at this three-day conference. In addition, presenters will provide interesting career examples highlighting methods to implement new ideas to advance and start your success in the fascinating design world.

Check back soon for more information!

Sponsors

Support the profession of Industrial Design by becoming a sponsor today!

About sponsorship of a Design Dialogue Conference
Locally or nationally you can spotlight your company or firm and at the same time support the continuing education of industrial designers. As spring arrives so do five opportunities for you to showcase your product or services at the Industrial Designers Society of America’s (IDSA) Conferences. It’s a great way to engage in dynamic niche marketing.

The audience

Conference attendees include business leaders, practitioners, educators and more all joining to hear and participate in timely industrial design presentations. Be a part of something big; participate in local conversations taking place across the country and highlight your company’s ingenuity as a Conference sponsor.

How to get involved.

IDSA offers many ways to gain exposure and promote your business to conference attendees. Don’t miss out! Review the following options and fill out the application/contract to secure your spot today! (Application / contract located at the bottom of this article as a .pdf attachment).

Interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor at one or more Conferences?

For more information, click here or please contact:
Beth Harrington, director of global sales at 703.707.6000 x104 or bethh@idsa.org

For more information on the conferences e-mail Carrie Rice, CMP, Director of Conferences.

For more information on how to reach the design profession and promote your products or services to those interested in design, please e-mail Beth Harrington or call:
703.707.6000 ext 104