Signature Events

Leaders Breakfast 2023 Gallery

Chicago Leaders Breakfast

Leaders Breakfast Chicago celebrates design's importance in the global marketplace and features a keynote speaker to encourage new ideas and recognizes an honoree who has made significant contributions to the design industry.

Past Honorees
2001    Gary Wheeler, FIIDA, HDR Inc.
2002    Eva Maddox, FIIDA, Perkins+Will
2003    Cary Johnson, FIIDA, Gensler
2004    Neil Frankel, FIIDA, Frankel + Coleman
2005    Gary Lee, IIDA, Gary Lee Partners
2006    Mark Stenftenagel, Whitney, Inc.
2007    Donald Powell & Robert Kleinschmidt, Powell/Kleinschmidt
2008    Nick Luzietti, FIIDA
2009    Christopher Kennedy
2010    Carlos Martinez, FIIDA, Gensler
2011    Gina Berndt, FIIDA, Perkins+Will
2012    Jaime Velez, FIIDA, SOM
2013    Nila Leiserowitz, IIDA, Gensler
2014    Holly Hunt, HOLLY HUNT
2015    The Graham Foundation
2016    Eileen Jones, IIDA, Perkins+Will
2017    Tom Marquardt, IIDA, marquardt+
2018    Fred Schmidt, IIDA, Perkins+Will
2019    Mitchell Cohen, DESIGN Advisory & Diane Schroeder, Diane Schroeder: Art & Design 2021 John Rouse, Partner, Perception Studio, Ltd. 2022 Jim Prendergast, FAIA, IIDA, Gensler

2023 Jennifer Sobecki, IIDA, Designs For Dignity

RED ‘23 WINNER GALLERY

RED AWARDS 2023 PHOTO GALLERY

RED Awards

The Illinois Chapter of the International Interior Design Association hosts an annual award program, Recognizing Exemplary Design. Illinois Interior Design firms submit one or more projects completed in the past 2 years in categories ranging from commercial to residential, students to hospitality and more. Winners are announced at the RED Awards ceremony in the spring, as well as featured on the website, social media, and in a major publication. Winning projects also have the opportunity to be toured by members of the IIDA Illinois Chapter in the following year.

STITCH 2023 PHOTO Gallery

STITCH 2023 MODEL GALLERY

STITCH

Each year, design firms pair up with manufacturers, creating a concept based off of the theme for the event that year. The teams then bring the concept to life in the form of a garment. Once the garments are complete, they are modeled on a catwalk in front of more than 700 people, including three judges, who determine the winners of the night. Awards are given in multiple categories.