2025 IDC Design Symposium

Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is hosting its eighth Design Symposium this fall. Canada’s design and architecture community is invited to come together to learn, connect, and network.

Participants can expect to attend design tours of notable member projects, connect and network with peers, collect IDCEC credits through panel discussions, hear from incredible speakers, participate in workshops, and celebrate the best of interior design at the IDC Awards Celebration, featuring the prestigious Value of Design Awards (VODA).

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.	Registration
8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.	Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	KEYNOTE PRESENTATION by Hamza Khan
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	COMMERCIAL FIRESIDE CHAT by Teknion
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP – Mastering the Business of Interior Design by Stacey Cohen
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	Networking Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	COMMERCIAL WORKSHOP – Creative Wellness by Shaw Contract
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	RESIDENTIAL PRESENTATION by Shaw Contract
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	RESIDENTIAL PRESENTATION – Colour Trends Campaign by Benjamin Moore
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	COMMERCIAL PANEL – State of the Retail Industry by the Retail Design Institute
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP – Designing for the Senses – Phenomenology in Practice by Erin Jenner
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.	Networking Break
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.	WORKSHOP – AI as Mentor & Thought Partner to Expand Your Business by Ahmed Mekallach
4:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Networking, Wrap-up Cocktails
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	DINE WITH A DESIGNER (separate registration required to attend)

Symposium schedule is subject to change.

THURSDAY, OCT. 30, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.	Registration
8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.	Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	PRESENTATION – Research for Practitioners by Lesley-Ann Noel
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Networking Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	WORKSHOP – Loop ‘Em In: Circular Workplace Field Guide by Benjamin Errett
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Networking Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	PRESENTATION – In Search of a Happier Workplace by John Whitehead
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.	WORKSHOP by Ciot
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Wrap-up, break prior to Awards
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	DESIGN TOURS
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Awards Cocktails (separate registration required to attend)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	IDC AWARDS CELEBRATION (separate ticket required to attend)