Knoll Sponsors IDC Symposium and Holds Welcome Event in Toronto Showroom

Susan Somers Vice President Knoll Canada delivers her address at the opening of the first-annual IDC Symposium.

As a presenting partner sponsor to the first annual IDC Symposium in Toronto, Knoll hosted a welcome evening in its showroom. The symposium, themed The Value of Design Thinking, connected leaders from the design, business and media community to highlight and explore how quality design lends to a greater good – a better, more productive society with sustainability in mind. The welcome event was a greaty opportunity for Knoll associates, attendees and speakers to gather and discuss design in our world.

Peter Heys, Principal, B+H Architects; Susan Somers Vice President Knoll Canada; and Alan Howard, Senior Vice President Knoll International and Global Business Division attend the welcome event held at the Knoll Toronto Showroom for the IDC Symposium.

Over the course of the three day symposium, numerous panel discussions, guided design tours, an awards gala and a breakfast hosted by IIDA and IDC, emerging professionals programs and conference keynote speakers took place. The symposium focused on how good design may enhance the value of one’s own work and wellbeing. “Design is inherently about the future, tackling problems to come,” stated Susan Somers, Vice President Knoll Canada, of the symposium. “Since 1938, we’ve pioneered how people interact with their environments. IDC’s inaugural design symposium, The Value of Design Thinking, considers design thinking and sustainability to solve today’s problems and push boundaries.”

Panelist Tracy Wymer, Knoll Vice President of Workplace Strategy, speaks at the 'Invention' panel discussion at the first-annual IDC Symposium. He is joined by Dr. Vedran Dzebic, Research and Developoment Coordinator at Entro and Susan Szenasy, Director of Design Innovation at Metropolis.

“For Knoll, it was immensely important to be involved in this first symposium,” stated Susan Somers, Vice President Knoll Canada in her opening remarks for the IDC Symposium, “As we celebrate our 80th year we wanted to honor and support the talent, expertise and innovative design membership of IDC across Canada. Florence Knoll, a pioneer of interior and furniture design, founded the Knoll Planning Unit in 1943 which transformed the field of ‘interior design’ from interior decoration to spatial architecture. As designers and industry members, we have the power to make important changes through the lens of empathy, innovation and iteration.”

Attendees at the welcome event hosted at the Knoll Toronto Showroom.

About Interior Designers of Canada

Founded in 1972, Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is the national advocacy association for the interior design profession in Canada with a mandate to provide a unified voice to advance and promote the Canadian interior design industry locally, national and internationally. With this goal in mind, IDC provides valuable and quality professional development opportunities; educates the public about the importance of hiring qualified interior designers; protects members’ right to practice through government relations; and works with the media to promote understanding of the interior design profession.