On July 13, Nancy Giordano, founder and CEO of Play Big, Inc. kicked off EXP with an energetic and engaging keynote, The Case for Disruptive Thinking, that explored the ways in which technology is forcing us to reinvent the ways we work, live, connect, and lead. Giordano encouraged current and future leaders to embrace the need for constant innovation. Review the full faculty list.

Following the keynote, the ASID Ones to Watch award winners and scholars were announced and recognized. Following the keynote, the ASID Ones to Watch award winners and scholars were announced and recognized. This new ASID awards program acknowledges those whose backgrounds are under-represented in interior design management roles and who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential in four categories: Design Excellence, Education Leadership, Manufacturing Leadership, and Volunteer Leadership. Seventeen winners, including eight Ones to Watch Scholars who will participate in a two-year leadership management curriculum, were honored.

All submissions were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges who considered the applicant’s intended impact on the design industry, their demonstrated career success, the originality and creativity of their portfolio, and the recommendations submitted with their application. Scholars were selected according to their overall score and their potential to excel from the leadership training experience. The panel included: Rich Isphording, vice president of Strategic Alliances and Applied Research + Consulting, Steelcase; Tama Duffy Day, FASID, principal, Health & Wellness Practice Area Leader, Gensler; J.D. Sassaman, senior Creative Workshop manager, Autodesk; and Denise Rush, ASID, director of Undergraduate Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College.

Throughout EXP, the ASID Foundation (ASIDF) promoted their annual Online and Silent Auction, which opened for bids on experience items like concerts, sporting events, and excursions on July 10, and closed at the end of Celebration – The ASID Awards Gala, on July 15. All proceeds from the Online and Silent Auction and the onsite special raffle support the ASIDF, which works to advance the profession and communicate the impact of interior design through research, scholarships, and education.

Day one closed with “First Night,” an energetic, high-powered celebration that included music, dancing, and networking at Music Box, Downtown San Diego’s premier nightclub.

Open throughout the Experience, the Learning Lounge was the perfect place to connect with fellow attendees, catch up with colleagues, and continue conversations with speakers. And the Sponsor Connection space allowed attendees to engage and interact with EXP sponsors in their special installations. EXP was sponsored by Sherwin Williams, Surya, Hansgrohe, Wilsonart, Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, Williams-Sonoma, Cosentino, Monogram, California Closets, Signature Kitchen Suite, Sunbrella, Franke, The Tile Shop, Wendover Art Group, Eventscape, and AJ Madison. METROPOLIS was the EXP media sponsor.

Open throughout the Experience, the Learning Lounge was the perfect place to connect with fellow attendees, catch up with colleagues, and continue conversations with speakers. And the Sponsor Connection space allowed attendees to engage and interact with EXP sponsors in their special installations. EXP was sponsored by Sherwin Williams, Surya, Hansgrohe, Wilsonart, Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, Williams-Sonoma, Cosentino, Monogram, California Closets, Signature Kitchen Suite, Sunbrella, Franke, The Tile Shop, Wendover Art Group, Eventscape, and AJ Madison. METROPOLIS was the EXP media sponsor.

Day two of EXP began with an interactive team-building workshop presented by Andrew Dent, Ph.D., executive vice president of Research, Material ConneXion. Team Challenge: How Can Materiality Change the Way You See Healthful Spaces? led participants on an exploration of the ways materials can alter our perception of healthy interiors, introduced the latest material innovations, and invited attendees to work with a team to solve problems using their newfound materials knowledge.

At noon, the annual ASID State of the Society address, Demonstrating Impact, took place before a full room in San Diego and several hundred more via Facebook Live. Randy Fiser, CEO, Hon. FASID, and Charrisse Johnston, ASID, LEED AP BD+C, Associate AIA, Chair, ASID National Board of Directors, explored the Society’s impact on the design industry and the world, and provided a look ahead to its dynamic future.

Throughout the day, a wide range of relevant, hot topic sessions provided attendees with the insight and tools required to lead themselves, their teams, and their firms. A special track, curated especially for ASID Chapter Board members, took place concurrently, replacing the Chapter Leadership Conference and allowing attendees to participate in workshops outside of their track for a more personalized experience. Friday’s courses included The New Visualization: A Changing Approach to Collaboration and Storytelling, presented by Elizabeth Von Lehe, Allied ASID, director, Strategy and Brand Architecture, ICRAVE; Environments that Stimulate Creativity and Encourage Innovation, presented by Gareth Brennan, founder and owner, Eventscape; Does Client Loyalty Exist?, presented by Joey Shimoda, FAIA, chief creative officer and founder, Shimoda Design Group; and a power panel on the topic – Women Who Lead. Review the full curriculum.

Friday’s afternoon refresh gave attendees a break from traditional learning and provided them with several options for rebooting after lunch, including tours of the Salk Institute, the J. Craig Venter Institute, a meditation class, any of the resort amenities, and even a short nap.

The event capped off with stories from the 2017 ASID National Award winners Steven Clem, ASID, FAIA, tvsdesign (Designer of Distinction), Susan Szenasy, Metropolis (Design for Humanity), and, Sam Aquillano, Design Museum Foundation (Design Innovation). Led by moderator Reed Kroloff (Jones|Kroloff), each award winner shared their most important leadership lessons learned. Their presentation was followed by a lively discussion focused on the key qualities of effective leaders as embodied by these giants in the field. This fast-paced session offered plenty of concrete advice, along with a healthy dose of inspiration, to wrap up EXP on a high note!