Earlier this spring, IDC members, architects, manufacturers and industry representatives came together in Quebec City for another edition of DesignEx.
Hosted at Le Bonne Entente Hotel on April 24, the event featured three seminars, a plated two-course networking lunch and DesignEx’s signature table top show.
The first seminar, titled “Maximizing Tile Installation with Trim Profiles” and lead by Simon Daoust of Schluter Systems Canada, taught participants how to better understand the basic design and function of trim profiles and how to incorporate them into specific applications, including ceramic and stone floors, walls and countertops.
The next seminar, Commercial Space Planning, focused on primary egress and fire protection requirements in accordance with the 2015 Quebec Construction Code. The seminar was led by Jean-Nicholas Bader of LRI Engineering, which specializes in building code consultations, fire protection engineering and emergency planning. Participants learned the common application requirements for offices, as well as the basics of fire separations, public corridors, barrier-free protection on floor areas, and more.
In her seminar, Textile Application Issues and Solutions, Louise Coté of Architex explained how to choose the right contract textiles for high-traffic commercial interiors like hospitals, hotels and schools, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that can result in premature replacement.
All three seminars, which were each presented in French, received positive feedback from attendees.
At DesignEx events, the networking opportunities are just as important as the educational seminars. Local designers mingled with national suppliers and manufacturers during lunch, while in the afternoon, attendees chatted while snacking on classic Quebecois fare, like maple taffy on snow. “It was a great event to promote our new Haworth dealer, Consulis, in Quebec City,” says Dino Antonacci, Haworth’s territory sales director of eastern Canada.
During the afternoon table top show, a more relaxed version of exhibitor booths at trade shows, 10 firms showcased new and popular products while networking with industry members from Quebec City.
Held across Canada, DesignEx events are a way for local designers and professionals to break into regional markets, generate new clients and learn new industry-specific skills from handpicked experts.
“Designers showed interest and asked questions, and we have projects [currently] in development,” says Brigitte Bernard, an account executive with Mohawk Group. “It was a wonderful and well-organized event.”
IDC’s upcoming DesignEX event will be taking place this fall in Ottawa.
For more information, please contact info@idcanada.org.
