Spread across two floors of the venue, this year\u2019s event introduced dedicated programming tailored to both residential and commercial designers. Programming included keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, design tours, and IDC\u2019s annual Awards Celebration featuring the Value of Design Awards (VODA).<\/p>\n
Keynotes That Inspired<\/strong><\/p>\n Hamza Khan opened the symposium with Truly Human Leadership: Practical People-First Strategies to Unlock Performance,<\/em> exploring how empathy and purpose can drive effective leadership and organizational culture.<\/p>\n On day two, cognitive neuroscientist Colin Ellard closed the event with his presentation, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Interior Design,<\/em> examining how interior environments influence human emotion, psychological health, and wellness.<\/p>\n Engaging Panels, Presentations, and Workshops<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo: Nick Wons<\/p><\/div>\n The 2025 program featured diverse and practical sessions across both commercial and residential tracks.<\/p>\n In the commercial stream, attendees heard from Teknion on Data, Action, Dialogue: Why Workplace Research Requires a Layered Approach,<\/em> followed by a panel on Architecting the Modern Retail Experience: From the Shop Floor to the Customer\u2019s Door<\/em> presented by the Retail Design Institute. Jack Rusk of C.Scale and Ryan Bruer of Ha\/f Climate Design delivered How Heavy is Interior Design?<\/em> examining sustainability and embodied carbon within design practice.<\/p>\n Residential sessions included Stacey Cohen\u2019s workshop, The Ultimate Resource to Building a Profitable, Thriving Interior Design Firm,<\/em> and Benjamin Moore\u2019s presentation, Fashion & Interiors: Common Threads That Shape Our Spaces<\/em> by Sharon Grech, exploring parallels between fashion and interior design. Erin Jenner of inspirED learning lab led Designing for the Senses \u2013 Phenomenology in Practice,<\/em> highlighting how sensory experience shapes spatial design.<\/p>\n Both audiences came together for Ciot\u2019s panel, Surface Matters: Defining Natural and Next-Gen Engineered Stone, Tile and Wood Flooring Trends for 2026<\/em>, highlighting key surface and material trends shaping upcoming projects, and for Ahmed Mekallach of MYTE Group AI\u2019s workshop AI as Mentor and Thought Partner to Expand Your Business<\/em>, introducing new ways to use AI to enhance clarity and creativity in design practice.<\/p>\n Day two continued with Lesley-Ann Noel of OCAD University presenting Research for Practitioners: Can Practitioners Add to the Body of Knowledge for Interior Design?<\/em> which examined how design research can bridge practice, reflection, and social impact. Noel shared ways practitioners can apply inquiry-based methods to generate meaningful change across communities and cultures.<\/p>\n Loop Em In: Selling Circularity in Interior Design<\/em> followed, led by Benjamin Errett and Kathy Seli of Green Standards. The session explored practical approaches to embedding circularity in design, encouraging participants to share strategies for building engagement and communicating its value.<\/p>\n The morning concluded with John Whitehead\u2019s In Search of a Happier Workplace<\/em>, an interactive session on improving communication and interpersonal skills using the SOCIAL STYLE model to strengthen collaboration and team dynamics.<\/p>\n Design Tours<\/strong><\/p>\n Design Tour: BDP Quadrangle Studio<\/p><\/div>\n Attendees had the opportunity to join one of three design tours at The Well in downtown Toronto, including BDP Quadrangle Studio, a WELL Platinum-certified workspace centered on accessibility, inclusion, and wellness; RioCan, Indigo, and adidas, led by the Retail Design Institute Canada, showcasing immersive retail environments that connect food, culture, and commerce; and Warner Music Toronto, designed by Gensler, a hybrid creative hub that brings the brand\u2019s identity to life through adaptable performance and work spaces.<\/p>\n Awards Celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo: Nick Wons<\/p><\/div>\n Each year, IDC celebrates outstanding members and their contributions to the interior design community. The 2025 Awards Celebration recognized recipients of the Value of Design Awards (VODA)<\/a>, Innovation Awards<\/a> for industry partners, and the Innovation in Design Thinking Student Competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n IDC\u2019s Design Symposium was presented by\u00a0Benjamin Moore<\/a>,\u00a0Ciot<\/a>,\u00a0Shaw Contract<\/a>, and\u00a0Teknion<\/a>. The event\u2019s program sponsors included\u00a0Artopex<\/a>,\u00a0Caesarstone<\/a>,\u00a0Centura Tile<\/a>,\u00a0Crown Surface Solutions<\/a>,\u00a0Daltile<\/a>,\u00a0Euro Tile and Stone<\/a>,\u00a0Global Furniture Group<\/a>,\u00a0Keilhauer<\/a>,\u00a0Midgley Tecnica<\/a>,\u00a0Mohawk Group<\/a>,\u00a0Nienkamper<\/a>,\u00a0Prolink<\/a>,\u00a0Syllable Inc.<\/a>, and\u00a0Tafisa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Design firm sponsors were\u00a0Arcadis<\/a>,\u00a0CIBC<\/a>,\u00a0HOK<\/a>,\u00a0Kasian<\/a>,\u00a0SDI Design<\/a>, and\u00a0Zeidler<\/a>. Supporters included\u00a0Azure<\/a>,\u00a0DesignTO<\/a>,\u00a0Elite Exhibitions<\/a>,\u00a0Next Home<\/a>, and the\u00a0Retail Design Institute<\/a>.\u00a0Canadian Interiors<\/a>\u00a0was the event\u2019s media sponsor.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/idcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/580615478_1253901743436091_534820423118008434_n.jpg\")
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