An outstanding group of individuals won awards for elevating the status of the Interior Design community and were honored at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Annual Meeting June 10 in Chicago.

The IIDA Exceptional Contributions Award  to the Interior Design profession was awarded to the Four Seasons Hotel Corporation. Dana Kalczak, Vice President of Design, accepted the award on behalf of the Four Seasons Hotel Corporation, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with regional offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Singapore.

The IIDA Titan Award recognized significant service to the Interior Design profession by a design-related company or organization. This year’s award was presented to John Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Americas. Since joining Interface as Vice President of Sales in 1994, Wells has held a number of senior leadership roles including president and CEO of InterfaceFLOR Commercial. As part of Interface’s sustainability journey, he established programs and metrics to help Interface companies achieve their sustainability mission and goals in three parts — financial, environmental and social. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Carpet and Rug Institute and he is on the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Advisory Board, as well as the College of Management Advisory Board.

The Educator of the Year Award winner was Liset Robinson, IIDA, an Interior Design Professor at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia, who was honored for her extraordinary accomplishments and commitment to Interior Design education. She has showcased her dedication to the field with over five years of mentoring students, providing them internship guidance and excellent instruction. Robinson will receive a $10,000 cash award from Award Sponsor Milliken.

The Member of the Year Award, honoring a Member who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and dedication to the Association premiered this year celebrating the volunteerism of Amie Keener, IIDA, CDT, LEED AP of the IIDA Texas/Oklahoma Chapter. Amie is an Interior Designer at Gensler in Dallas.

IIDA also inducted two new Members to the College of Fellows, the highest honor the Association bestows upon professional Members. Peter A. Conant, FIIDA, AIA, LEED AP, is currently IIDA International President and his achievements include designs for corporate headquarters, not-for-profit organizations, and numerous industry showrooms. He is the Managing Principal of Conant Architects and has led IIDA in many capacities, including Past President of the IIDA New York.

Margaret McCurry, FIIDA, FAIA,ASID, Principal and President of the internationally renowned Chicago firm Tigerman McCurry, will also be inducted into the College of Fellows. She has held several leadership positions; currently she serves on the boards of the Architecture and Blueprint Community and the Branch of Textiles at the Art Institution of Chicago. She also has served as Vice-President of the Chicago Chapter and Chair of the Nationwide AIA Committee on Blueprint. Her work has been published widely in architectural and Interior Design magazines and books.

“This year’s IIDA award winners have demonstrated true dedication, hard work and enthusiasm for the Design community and we are extremely proud to honor their achievements, service and leadership,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl Durst, Hon. FIIDA.