IIDA Northland

What IIDA Northland does

IIDA Northland is a regional chapter of the International Interior Designers Association, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, serving interior design professionals across Minnesota and the broader Upper Midwest/Northland region. The chapter operates as a nonprofit professional association with approximately 345 members and a 3,161-subscriber monthly newsletter, governed by an elected Board of Directors with administrative support from Jaffe Management (Minneapolis office) through two paid chapter administrators. Leadership for the 2026-2027 term includes Chapter President Ikaria Chorley (Atmosphere Commercial Interiors), President-Elect Kelsey Barrett (Cambria), and Past President Andrea Loy (Alliiance).

The chapter's core offerings fall into four buckets: membership services and professional development (CEU sessions, workshops, roundtables, scholarships for dues); signature events including the ID Awards (formerly FAB Awards, rebranded in 2025 for the 21st annual), Minnecon trade show, and Fusion & Fashion; advocacy and community programs including the B.O.L.D. mentorship initiative for BIPOC designers (partnered with MSP NOMA), the Stewardship Committee on sustainability, and a job board; and an annual sponsorship program tiered from Bronze through Diamond plus an A&D Firm Premium level. Student outreach is conducted through regional design school partnerships (UW-Stout, Dunwoody, University of Minnesota) and programs like SPARK charettes, Career Building Day, and Let's Chat virtual sessions.

IIDA Northland is self-sustaining and funded locally by chapter sponsors — there is no venture capital or external ownership. Revenue streams include membership dues (managed at IIDA HQ national level), annual sponsorship commitments across multiple tiers, event registration and exhibitor booth fees (Minnecon booths priced $350–$1,500; event tickets ranging from free for members up to $85 for non-members), and ancillary fees such as $50 job postings for non-members. Distribution is multi-channel: direct website enrollment, Eventbrite for events, organic social (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), the monthly "In The Know" newsletter, volunteer committees across eight functional areas, and employer-firm networks that promote engagement among member organizations including Gensler, HGA, Alliiance, RSP, BWBR, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors, Mohagen Hansen Architecture Interiors, and others.

Name

IIDA Northland

Legal name

IIDA Northland (International Interior Designers Association Northland)

Website

https://iida-northland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IIDA Northland is a nonprofit regional chapter of the International Interior Designers Association, serving ~345 interior design professionals in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest through membership, signature events (ID Awards, Minnecon, Fusion & Fashion), CEUs, mentorship (B.O.L.D.), and a tiered annual sponsorship program funded by design firms and manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Sponsorship: Annual sponsors pay for prominent visibility at every IIDA Northland event, recognition on the website and in chapter newsletters, and branding across mass communications throughout the year. Sponsorship tiers include Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and A&D Firm Premium levels.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from event registration fees including Minnecon exhibitor booths (ranging from $350 to $1,500), Fusion & Fashion tickets ($20-$85), CEU sessions, and other chapter events. Some events offer free admission to members with fees for non-members.
3. Job Postings: Free job postings for IIDA Members and Annual Chapter Sponsors; $50 per posting for non-members.
4. Membership Dues: IIDA HQ manages membership dues at national level. IIDA Northland offers a Membership Scholarship Program to help cover membership dues for new or renewing members facing financial challenges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IIDA Northland is a nonprofit professional association chapter serving interior designers across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. The chapter provides membership services, continuing education (CEUs), signature events including the Minnecon trade show and ID Awards, mentorship programs including B.O.L.D. for designers of color, a job board, scholarship funding, and a corporate sponsorship program. The chapter is self-sustaining, funded locally by annual sponsors, and governed by an elected board with chapter administration handled by Jaffe Management.

Product overview

IIDA Northland is a professional association chapter serving interior designers across Minnesota and surrounding regions, operating as a not-for-profit membership organization rather than a technology company. The organization provides a portfolio of member services including membership programs, professional development (CEUs and workshops), signature events (ID Awards, Minnecon, Fusion & Fashion), mentorship initiatives (including the B.O.L.D. program for BIPOC designers), scholarship programs, job postings, annual sponsorship opportunities, volunteer committees, sustainability stewardship programming, student programs, and a monthly newsletter. These services are delivered through in-person events, virtual programming, and web-based resources rather than a unified software product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B.O.L.D. Building Outstanding Leaders in Design - a mentorship program by people of color, for people of color in the design industry.
• Minnecon
• FUSION & FASHION

Products and services

• IIDA Northland Membership An association membership program providing professional interior designers with access to CEU courses, networking events, advocacy representation, career advancement resources, and business development opportunities across Minnesota and surrounding regions.
• Minnecon Trade Show Annual trade show and convention event organized by IIDA Northland for the design community, featuring exhibitor booths from manufacturers, dealers, and service providers serving the commercial interior design industry.
• ID Awards (formerly FAB Awards) Annual design awards competition celebrating excellence in interior design across multiple categories, with 21 years of heritage (originally called FAB Awards, renamed ID Awards in 2025).
• Fusion & Fashion Event Annual signature event combining fashion and interior design to celebrate creativity in the design community.
• Professional Development Programs (CEUs) Continuing education programs including CEU sessions, workshops, and roundtables supporting career growth for interior designers at all career stages.
• B.O.L.D. Mentorship Program Building Outstanding Leaders in Design mentorship program by people of color for people of color, providing mentorship, community, and leadership development for BIPOC designers in architecture and interior design.
• Membership Scholarship Program Financial assistance program covering membership dues for new or renewing members experiencing financial hardship, supporting diverse voices in the design community.
• Job Board Free job posting service for IIDA members and chapter sponsors, with $50 posting fee for non-members, connecting employers with interior design professionals in the region.
• Annual Corporate Sponsorship Program Annual sponsorship tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and A&D Firm Premium sponsorships providing visibility and brand recognition at chapter events and communications.
• Student Programs Student-focused programs including Mentorship Program, Let's Chat virtual sessions, Career Building Day, SPARK collaborative design challenge, and student scholarships for IIDA SHIFT Conference.
• In The Know Newsletter Monthly digital newsletter with 3,161 subscribers highlighting upcoming IIDA Northland events, industry news, and community updates.

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Allsteel OfficecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Sponsor. Allsteel is featured as a prominent sponsor with premium visibility across all chapter events, website, and communications throughout the year.
• Atmosphere Commercial InteriorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Sponsor. Featured sponsor with premium placement. Hosted SPARK Charette in Twin Cities event at their 81 S 9th St location in Minneapolis.
• iSpace EnvironmentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Sponsor. Premium sponsor providing visibility across chapter communications and events.
• Continua InteriorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Annual Sponsor. Hosted Threaded Together: Clothing Swap and Flower Bar event at their Plymouth location.
• Gardner GreenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Annual Sponsor specializing in sustainable building practices.
• Jaffe ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChapter management company providing leadership support, event planning and promotion, board and committee support, member communications, accounting services, and administrative support. Minneapolis, MN Office.
• GenslermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium A&D Sponsor. Global architecture and design firm. Destiny Rampersad serves as Director of BOLD on the IIDA Northland Board.
• HGAmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium A&D Sponsor. Hosted Simplifying HPDs and EPDs event. Multiple HGA designers serve on the Stewardship Committee.
• Hennepin County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree Lynda.com online courses available through library card for members, covering Revit, InDesign, resume building, and interviewing skills.
• Dakota County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree Lynda.com online courses available through library card for members, covering professional development topics.
• MSP NOMA (Minneapolis-St Paul National Organization of Minority Architects)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerB.O.L.D. program is a partnered organization with IIDA & MSP NOMA. BOLD welcomes IIDA and NOMA members. Wale Falade serves as President of MSP NOMA and partnered on BOLD programming.
• Hen Hennepin County Construction & Demolition Reuse CohortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented at Threaded Together clothing swap event on interior reuse and salvage education.
• RSP ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Sponsor. Dianna Erickson serves as VP of Professional Development on the IIDA Northland Board.
• SteelcaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Sponsor. Global furniture manufacturer serving commercial interiors.
• TarkettminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Sponsor. Kellan Baker serves as Director of Minnecon on the IIDA Northland Board.
• Mohawk GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Sponsor. Commercial flooring manufacturer.
• Fancy Meeting You HereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshley Adamma Meeks, Owner and Principal Interior Designer, presented at Celebration of Design + BOLD event for Walker|West Music Academy project.
• Locus ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWale Falade, Principal, presented at BOLD/Celebration of Design event. Winner of AIA-MN 2025 Young Architect Award.
• ESG Architecture & DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor. Hosted BOLD: Value event. BOLD mentor Wing Ho is Marketing Creative at ESG.
• PrevolvminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Sponsor. Hosted Accelerate Project Success CEU event with Kimball International.
• Kimball InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted Accelerate Project Success CEU with Prevolv on customer decision-making dynamics.
• Hennepin MademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with IIDA and MSP NOMA for BOLD Launch 2026 event including glassblowing studio tour.
• Sanyu CreativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatricia Mutebi, Owner-Founder, provided professional headshot portraits at BOLD Launch 2026 event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NeoCon: National commercial interiors trade show and conference — operates at a much larger scale than Minnecon but serves the same designer and vendor audience, and competes for sponsor marketing dollars.
• IIDA (International Interior Designers Association – national HQ): The parent organization and largest direct peer; operates national programming, advocacy, and the membership dues framework that IIDA Northland's chapter model is built around.

Direct peers

• AIA Minnesota: The Minnesota chapter of the American Institute of Architects — operates the same chapter-based professional association model for architects in the same regional market, including awards (AIA-MN Young Architect Award), advocacy, and continuing education.
• ASID (American Society of Interior Designers): National professional association for interior designers in the U.S., with chapters operating similarly to IIDA chapters — directly comparable as the principal competing membership body for the same designer audience.
• IIDA Great Plains Chapter: Sibling IIDA chapter serving designers in the adjacent Great Plains region; structurally identical operating model (membership, sponsorships, signature events, awards) and competes for the same sponsor dollars in nearby territory.
• ASID Minnesota Chapter: The Minnesota chapter of ASID — the most direct local competitor for the same interior design members and sponsors, offering overlapping events, CEUs, and awards in the Twin Cities market.

Regional players

• AIA Wisconsin: Neighboring AIA chapter in a sibling Upper Midwest market — same professional-association operating model for architects, useful reference for events, sponsorship tiers, and member-engagement benchmarks.

Others

• IDCEC (Interior Design Continuing Education Council): National body that approves CEU providers — enabling infrastructure for IIDA Northland's professional development programming and a comparable stakeholder in the same CEU/education ecosystem.
• Design Museum of Chicago: Adjacent design-community/education organization in the IIDA national HQ market — useful peer for programming ideas, member events, and design-advocacy positioning rather than direct competition.

Emerging players

• MSP NOMA (Minneapolis-St. Paul National Organization of Minority Architects): Local minority-architects advocacy organization partnering with IIDA Northland on BOLD; operates a similar mission-driven community model for a closely adjacent (architecture vs. interior design) audience in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IIDANorthland
• Facebookfacebook.com/iidanorthland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iida-northland
• Instagraminstagram.com/iidanorthland/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IIDA Northland