This is a monthly note that I send to IDA members to keep them up to date. The Preamble is generally tongue in cheek and looks at matters in the news that may be topical, possibly controversial and sometimes amusing.
Preamble
So there we have it, a coalition government, just what the doctor ordered. I am sure if Dr Cable was of a medical persuasion, his prescription pad would have been well used. The medication is soon to be dispensed and it will need a fair amount of sweetening to aid digestion. The first stage of the savings plan is definitely sugar free and it gives some idea of what we have in store. If the £6.24bn saving just announced is going to be painful, then against the annual public borrowing requirement of £178bn and a national debt of £890bn, how long is this going to hurt? Best not think about it. See the economic update below for an interesting viewpoint titled “Imagine the Following”.
Anyway, now the kissing has stopped, Cameron and St Nick can get on with things. For those who said…. “mark my words; we’ll be queuing again in October to vote”. Is there now a feeling of, well… they could actually sort this out, this might actually work, or do I need another shandy. Actually, a young designer and furniture maker I met at the Clerkenwell Design Festival told me that he felt positive about the situation. Not that he was comfortable about it as life was still going to be very difficult. “There is a change in atmosphere which I haven’t experienced before, maybe we are entering a new age in politics”. Mmmm… time will tell.
So, on to other things, the business bits that I hope you will like. It includes;
- Summer Networking.
- CPD Library
- Index and 100%Design Shanghai Exhibitions
- Scothot Exhibition.
- IDA at the Sleep Exhibition in November.
- Contract Focus for 100% Design London.
- Economic Update.
- New Member Services.
- Update on London 2012.
- Guide to Flammability Regulations Launched.
- BCFA and IDA Support New Designers.
- IDA Educational Visits
- Summer Networking. It’s great to see the enthusiasm for the BCFA summer networking party, which will be at the private members club Home House in Portland Square. This event is also open to IDA members so you can invite your own clients to attend. To book please complete the booking form by following the link. IDA members can buy individual tickets or as many as required. http://www.thebcfa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=481&Itemid=46
- CPD Library. Have you attended or received a particularly good CPD event for interior designers? We are building up a resource of recommended presentations. To recommend someone’s CPD please contact mary@theida.co.uk with details.
- Scothot Exhibition. The IDA and BCFA have joined forces to introduce the ‘IDA Young Commercial Designer of the Year.’ The Award, which will be presented at ScotHot, is open to people under 30-years old and will recognise the future leaders of our industry. Further information at: www.scothot.co.uk
- IDA at the Sleep Exhibition in November. It looks like it is going to be a busy show again and we will be welcoming IDA members and prospective members to our stand www.thesleepevent.com
- Contract Focus for 100% Design London. The IDA will be teaming up with 100% Design this year for a 3 day programme of seminars covering key sectors including hospitality, retail, education and healthcare with a major emphasis on sustainable interiors. There will be added focus on the contract market and IDA members who wish to get involved in presenting should contact claire.farrow@btinternet.com
- Economic Update. It is heavy reading in places but the update from Roger Fagg has some rather interesting points about the Euro Zone and an interesting viewpoint titled “Imagine the Following”. Its background information on the world economy. www.thebcfa.com/images/Publications/economic%20update%20-%20may%202010.pdf
- New Member Services.
- Update on London 2012 An update from CompeteFor http://www.londonbusinessnetwork.com/Newsletter/May10.html.
- Guide to Flammability Regulations Launched. The guide was launched at the Herman Miller London Design Centre on 14 April and a download is available at http://www.theida.co.uk/write/documents/Contract-flammability-guide-2010.pdf
- IDA Educational Visits –This year IDA members and invited guests have enjoyed educational visits and tours around a variety of interesting interiors and plant. The next event will be on Tuesday 1st June to Kings Place in London. For a review of a couple of the visits this year follow the links:
- IDA and BCFA Support New Designers. We are jointly sponsoring an award at New Designers in July. We are delighted that Brintons Carpets will be providing support to the successful student with a work placement at their London Design Studio. For details of all the awards http://www.newdesigners.com/page.cfm/Link=13/t=m/goSection=7
For more information on IDA membership http://www.theida.co.uk/Join-Us
Kind regards
CCW