7.15.08 | New York, NY | IIDA Hospitality Forum will take place on July 24, 6-6:45 (cocktails), 6:45-8:30 (presentation), at W New York, The Court, 130 East 39th Street, NYC. Four architects and designers will discuss, The New Age of Hospitality & Retail design, taking turns discussing the branding relationship.  Speakers for the event are:

• Beth Novitsky, Gensler Studio 585
• Aaron Richter, Architecture Ian Schrager Company
• David Ashen, D-Ash Design
• Jay Valgora, Studio V Architecture

CEUs are available. www.iidany.org

7.15.08 | Grand Rapids, MI | CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, announced two new awards to honor Keith Hooks, founder of Hooks Design+Architecture (now A S D) and a CIDA volunteer for over 20 years. A scholarship fund will honor Mr. Hook's commitment to quality interior design education and the Keith Hooks Award of Excellence will be bestowed annually to one outstanding CIDA volunteer.

7.12.08 | Dallas, TX | METROCON08 will be held August 14-15 at the Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX. METROCON is a tradeshow and convention organized through collaboration between the Texas Chapter of ASID, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of IFMA, and the Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of IIDA. The event focuses on introducing the latest in products and innovative ideas to the Southwest region’s community of interior designers, facility managers, architects, design students and other essential industry members. All conference information – as well as exhibitor, tradeshow, continuing education, and keynote event registration – is available at www.metrocon.info.

7.11.08 | Washington, DC | The AIA launched the GreenStep Video Series, another aspect of the organization's Walk the Walk marketing campaign to help clients and the public learn more about sustainable design elements and how architects are providing energy-efficient solutions to help lower our collective and individual carbon footprint.  The series will begin the week of July 7th with new videos posted every other week through December 8, 2008. www.aia.org/walkthewalk

7.11.08 | Houston, TX | The IFMA Foundation announced the appointment of its 2008-2009 executive committee and board of trustees. Members ofthe IFMA Foundation board of trustees serve a two-year term and aretasked with managing the foundation and guiding it in its efforts toserve the facility management profession. Melissa Van Haganof Bank of the West has been named the new foundation chair.