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2026 IDSA Southern District Design Conference

April 10 @ 9:00 am - April 11 @ 6:30 pm

“We’re getting the band back together…”

Over the last 5 years or so, one of the most popular topics of discussion whenever you get IDSA members together is:

“What happened to the District Conferences? When are they coming back?”

The five IDSA District Design Conferences had been a mainstay and important part of the member experience for decades. For many of us, the District Conferences were where our careers started—either in our first student portfolio review or meeting our first employer. And for most of us, we met our friends and colleagues at a District Conference, and we’ve been part of a family for decades.

If you’re a student or recent graduate, you have most likely never attended a District Conference, but the District Conferences were the primary venue for student portfolio reviews, the Student Merit Awards, and introducing ID students to the professional design community. For the professionals, the District Conference was a cost-effective, local networking event where the Industrial Design community could gather to celebrate with friends, build their networks, and meet new young talent. But citing issues regarding cost and complexity, IDSA discontinued the District Conferences after the 2018 season.

We want to (re)unite the local professional ID community because we miss our friends and colleagues.

We want to (re)connect students and young professionals to the professionals and ID community because we believe you’ve missed out on that experience.

Learn more and register today!

Event Highlights

  • Presentations for Students: Portfolios, Job Search, Getting Hired, Skills Building.
  • Student Portfolio Reviews for students and recent graduates.
  • Skills Workshops (TBD)
  • Professional Career Clinic: Looking for the “next step” in your career? Seasoned professionals will offer one-on-one portfolio/work reviews, career advice and mentoring.
  • ID Job Board: Open intern, contract, and full-time positions with in-person interviews.
  • ID Program Poster Displays: See amazing work from the 10 Industrial Design programs in the Southern District and learn about graduate programs.
  • Student Merit Awards: In-person school Finalist presentations (Graduate and Undergraduate) with the exciting return of in-person SMA District Judging and Winner Announcements.
  • Round Table Discussions: Students, young professionals, and older practitioners talk ID careers.
  • Presentations for Practitioners (Ex., Hiring Talent, AI Tools, Sustainable/Circular Design, etc.)
  • Discussion: Using AI Design Tools in Professional Practice: Practical, Ethical, Legal Implications.
  • Discussion: Sustainable/Circular Design and Innovation
  • Social Gatherings at local Atlanta restaurant/venues (Friday and Saturday night).

All Are Welcome!

For those who were educated or work in the Southern District, we take a special pride that our District Conferences were always well-attended and enjoyed by our attendees. But we want EVERYONE to participate in this event to show that there’s still an interest in the District Conferences and the value they offer to our community. It doesn’t matter where you call home, come hang out with us in Atlanta!

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