Signature Events
Chicago Leaders Breakfast
Leaders Breakfast Chicago celebrates design's importance in the global marketplace and features a keynote speaker to encourage new ideas and recognizes an honoree who has made significant contributions to the design industry.
Past Honorees
2001 Gary Wheeler, FIIDA, HDR Inc.
2002 Eva Maddox, FIIDA, Perkins+Will
2003 Cary Johnson, FIIDA, Gensler
2004 Neil Frankel, FIIDA, Frankel + Coleman
2005 Gary Lee, IIDA, Gary Lee Partners
2006 Mark Stenftenagel, Whitney, Inc.
2007 Donald Powell & Robert Kleinschmidt, Powell/Kleinschmidt
2008 Nick Luzietti, FIIDA
2009 Christopher Kennedy
2010 Carlos Martinez, FIIDA, Gensler
2011 Gina Berndt, FIIDA, Perkins+Will
2012 Jaime Velez, FIIDA, SOM
2013 Nila Leiserowitz, IIDA, Gensler
2014 Holly Hunt, HOLLY HUNT
2015 The Graham Foundation
2016 Eileen Jones, IIDA, Perkins+Will
2017 Tom Marquardt, IIDA, marquardt+
2018 Fred Schmidt, IIDA, Perkins+Will
2019 Mitchell Cohen, DESIGN Advisory & Diane Schroeder, Diane Schroeder: Art & Design 2021 John Rouse, Partner, Perception Studio, Ltd. 2022 Jim Prendergast, FAIA, IIDA, Gensler
2023 Jennifer Sobecki, IIDA, Designs For Dignity
RED Awards
The Illinois Chapter of the International Interior Design Association hosts an annual award program, Recognizing Exemplary Design. Illinois Interior Design firms submit one or more projects completed in the past 2 years in categories ranging from commercial to residential, students to hospitality and more. Winners are announced at the RED Awards ceremony in the spring, as well as featured on the website, social media, and in a major publication. Winning projects also have the opportunity to be toured by members of the IIDA Illinois Chapter in the following year.
STITCH
Each year, design firms pair up with manufacturers, creating a concept based off of the theme for the event that year. The teams then bring the concept to life in the form of a garment. Once the garments are complete, they are modeled on a catwalk in front of more than 700 people, including three judges, who determine the winners of the night. Awards are given in multiple categories.
2024 Winners
Best Stage Presence HDR
Best Hair & Makeup HOK
Best Concept to Creation IA Interior Architects
Best Use of Materials Barker Nestor
Best in Show geniant + Eastlake Studio
People’s Choice Stantec