international furnishings and design association
to support each other in this harrowing time. All of these
opportunities create referrals and generate business. Those
who work together and learn together get ahead together.
IFDA is launching a new Web site in July. This site will
act more like a blog and be a comprehensive site for mem-
ber support. Our members will be able to communicate with
other members and share photos of recent projects. Each
member will have a page on which products may be mar-
keted. Other members and guests will be able to critique and
purchase these products. Supporting each other throughout
the country comes in the form of chat and philosophical
banter about the industry at large. Again, networking fur-
ther advances our members.
It is often difficult for independent small business own-
Wow ... what an economic stress all in our industry are ers to obtain health insurance. Because of this, IFDA offers
experiencing! Recession is hitting the furnishings and de- health insurance for members at group pricing. Our hope
sign industry with a vengeance. Every day new e-mails are is to make it easier to do “business as usual” in tough or
sent trying to convince addressees to take this class, view lucrative times.
this webinar or subscribe to this newsletter to solve all mon- IFDAEF ( International Furnishings and Design Associa-
etary dilemmas. Newspapers and magazines attest that the tion Educational Foundation) is the scholarships and grants
client cannot be reached without advertising in their jour- arm of IFDA. IFDAEF gives out more money in scholar-
nals. This is indeed a call to action! Does this kind of action ships and grants than any other organization in the industry.
help? Not necessarily. These folks are just trying to survive, There are scholarships available to students in many differ-
as we all are, by selling their trade, which is marketing. I ent phases in the industry and grants for industry members
have found, in my 30 years in the industry, when a recession who wish to continue their education. Funds are also avail-
strikes none of these concepts truly work. able for Save America’s Treasures, a program that preserves
This seems to be a time to tread water, spend as little the architectural integrity of our nation’s historic buildings.
money as possible and try to keep your head above water. As you can see, IFDA serves to improve the bottom line
What really works on many levels is joining industry orga- of its members through scholarships and grants, network-
nizations and participating. Just joining does not work. In ing and referrals along with the psychological advantage of
fact, just joining can be a waste of money unless participa- buoying each other during stressful times. For more infor-
tion is involved. While treading water, colleagues help to mation about IFDA, please visit the Web site at www.ifda.
buoy each other during stressful times. Brainstorming to- com. A membership application is available for download
gether during times of need helps to instill a feeling that one on the site. We look forward to getting to know and support-
doesn’t have to go it alone. Camaraderie is a pleasurable ing each new member who invests in the industry.
oasis in a troublesome time, but there is more to it than that. Enjoy the camaraderie and support of IFDA.
IFDA is the only all-industry organization pertaining to Judith Clark, FIFDA, CID, is the owner of Design El-
the furnishings and design industry. IFDA members are ements, a home furnishings store and design studio in
from all phases of our industry: interior designers, repre- Danville, California. A 28-year veteran in the design in-
sentatives, showroom managers, manufacturers, fabrics dustry, she has served on the Northern California IFDA
mills and their management teams, contractors, architects, board since 1991 and in 2001 held the position of chapter
publishers and industry writers. This creates amazing net- president. In 2007 she was elected international president
working possibilities for all members — if they participate. of IFDA. Clark has also held positions on the Board of
The 16 chapters throughout the country are continually in- California Legislative Coalition on Interior Design and the
volved in networking opportunities that are tailored to the California Interior Design Exam Advisory Board.
needs of the individual chapter. These opportunities may
take the form of tabletop and trade shows, giving mem-
bers and supporters the ability to display their wares and
rade
concepts to other trade members or the public, or monthly
T
or weekly networking breakfasts where members can get
esign
to know each other and discuss one another’s strengths on
D
a friendlier and in-depth level. Letting one’s hair down at Judith Clark
wine and cheese parties in design showrooms is a great way Principal, Design Elements
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