Have you heard the headline? ASID Takes Over the Nation’s Capital!

Yes, we did!

I am still reeling from the incredible energy, excitement, and content of our most recent national gathering. More than 500 ASID members, designers, manufacturers, and industry leaders descended on Washington, D.C. July 19-21 for The Leadership Experience: Presented by ASID (EXP). EXP included workshops, project tours, social events, and more designed to provide the skills necessary to advance your personal and professional goals and to help you become a strong leader in the design industry.

From the opening keynote featuring Minette Norman, vice president, Engineering Practice, Autodesk, to the closing keynote featuring the 2018 ASID National Award winners, attendees were immersed in workshops to teach the skills necessary to Lead Yourself, Lead your Team, Lead your Firm, and Lead your Chapter.

In addition, to gauge leadership potential and current leadership status, attendees took “The ASID Leadership Profile,” a skills assessment tool created and administered by Outmatch and HCMi, LLC. The assessment aided attendees in choosing the best workshops to strengthen their leadership abilities and advance their careers.

Popular features of EXP included experiential learning through tours of the ASID HQ office (the first LEED and WELL Platinum certified interior space in the world!), the National Gallery of Art, The Line Hotel, and other cool D.C. venues. For those who like early mornings, we had yoga and fun runs which kept attendees feeling healthy and well throughout the event.

The Learning Lounge was also a popular destination for EXP attendees. Featuring more than 20 sponsors and exhibitors, the lounge was the place to meet manufacturers, enjoy elaborate installations, and learn about new products and services to specify. Lunch and breakfast were served in the lounge daily, and short pop-up discussions featuring workshop speakers made hanging out there a must for attendees.

Always top of mind in D.C. is networking, and EXP was no exception. Our lively First Night celebration found attendees dancing the night away while enjoying food and drink and meeting new friends and catching up with old ones.

Thursday night included a special reception at the National Building Museum, providing another opportunity for attendees to meet colleagues and industry luminaries while touring, “Making Room: Housing for a Changing America,” sponsored by the ASID Foundation and currently on exhibit at the museum.

Several special events held captive audiences at EXP, including the ASID State of the Society address. I was very honored as Chair of the ASID National Board of Directors, along with Randy Fiser, Hon. FASID, CEO of ASID, to deliver our yearly address, outlining the initiatives and strategic directions ASID is currently undertaking and providing a glimpse of our Society’s dynamic future.

I also had the distinct pleasure of congratulating our ASID National Honors winners and the ASID Ones to Watch Award winners and Scholars, who were honored for their achievements at ceremonies throughout EXP.

In addition to EXP, ASID also hosted Celebration – The ASID Awards Gala, held at the Washington Marriott Marquis, celebrating individuals and organizations who impact lives through design at the highest levels.

The evening kicked off with a red-carpet cocktail party followed by a procession of all attending ASID Fellows. After dinner, we inducted our new 2018 ASID College of Fellows.

Meet the Fellows

The ASID National Award winners were also honored during Celebration with a moving video tribute, award presentation, and words from each National Award recipient at the podium.

Meet the National Award Winners

Of course, all of this couldn’t have happened without your support as members and the support of many of our Industry Partners. This year EXP was sponsored by Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Franke, Signature Kitchen Suite, Cosentino, Williams-Sonoma, Hansgrohe, Wilsonart, AJ Madison-Fisher&Paykel, Monogram, California Closets, Surya, Wendover Art Group, and Humanscale. Thank you all for such incredible work in making EXP a huge success.