Interior designers launch new national association
By Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, April 25, 2009
High Point — A new national interior designer organization has been formed here, led mainly by designers who were previously active in other associations.
The Assn. of Interior Design Professionals, which opened its office here several months ago, will host a reception and distribute information at this week's High Point Market as it recruits members.
Industry consultant, interior designer and sales trainer Cathey Manley is the AIDP's executive director, assisted by designer Neil Forney. She and a number of the new group's other founding members, including national President Andy Limone, previously were leaders of the Interior Design Society, which also is based in High Point.
The AIDP is hosting a High Point Market reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the Parker Southern showroom at 200 N. Hamilton St., North Court 103. Information on the group also will be available in the designer resource center at 200 Steele, Manley said.
One of the AIDP's key issues, according to Manley, is opposition of state licensing programs for interior designers. AIDP leaders believe the IDS hasn't been as effective in lobbying against such programs as it should be. Manley said the AIDP members also disagree with the licensing stance of the largest U.S. designer organization, the American Society of Interior Designers.
"Our stand is no licensing. It's exclusionary and is a real problem for retailers," said Manley.
However, the Interior Design Society also says it opposes licensing. Its executive director, Pamela White, said the group has "actively been fighting this in numerous states" and has been successful in several.
The ASID, meanwhile, says that while it supports state legislation, it opposes any that would prevent qualified interior designers from the practice of their profession, except as it would conflict with other laws such as building codes.
"Interior design legislation creates opportunities for designers, preserving their ability to practice the profession in which they are trained — in turn, this benefits consumers of design services," said Michael Alin, ASID executive director. "ASID has not supported, nor will we support, legislation restricting the retail furniture industry or its ability to conduct its business. In fact, specific provisions are incorporated into existing laws expressly to ensure that furniture retailers are not adversely impacted."
Still, leaders of the new AIDP say that designer licensing legislation restricts the number of designers, enabling those who are licensed to get more business and charge higher rates.
Adrian Small, a designer in Washington, D.C., with the firm Small Bernal, has been an active opponent of licensing laws and was a leader in the IDS before helping to form the new AIDP. She said 22 states have such laws on the books, either restricting which professionals can call themselves interior designers, or restricting the practice of design work to those who are licensed.
She said Florida in particular has been active in policing its licensing law.
Small, who is spearheading the AIDP's legislation efforts, will speak on the licensing issue at market at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the auditorium of Bassett Furniture's IHFC showroom, space C-1200.
In addition to its stance against licensing legislation, the AIDP also says it hopes to appeal to members because it will have only designers in its leadership and will offer services and support for the profession.
"It is an exciting time to bring a new and member-driven organization to the industry," said Manley. "AIDP is a breath of fresh air brought to an arena that has other design organizations governed by non-designers and whose interests are mainly national concerns, like licensing."
The AIDP is developing a Web site at www.AIDPonline.com. Manley can be reached at CManley@AIDPonline.com for more information.
Dues for the new group are $240 a year, or $48 for students and retirees.
Manley declined to disclose the current membership because the organization is so new, but said there are five active chapters with at least 10 or 15 members each. She said that eventually, the group plans to have a West Coast office as well as the High Point one, and will host regional conferences and will have an effective Internet presence.
