IIDA-NC includes Hawaii & the Pacific Rim, Northern California, and Northern Nevada.

In addition to the current Board leadership, two Fellows of IIDA, Eric Engstrom (Past President of IIDA 2005-2006), and Jean Hanson (Past Chapter President, IIDA-NC), along with Past Chapter Presidents Gary Nichols, David Meckley, Terry De LaCuesta, and Susan Jue were there to share their expertise.

Current President Collin Burry and President elect Robi Kaseman led day one of the retreat, and Michael Skaar, VP of City Centers, led the second day.

On Saturday February 6th, IIDA’s five City Centers took center stage; these groups represent the heart of the Chapter and operate in each of the major markets served. The Chapter’s directive, Secure in Change, was evident in the progressive initiatives and programs that have been devel- oped in the past year.

A competition for programs among the five City Centers was held, and resulted in multiple awards, including:

• Most Original Effort: “going beyond the boundaries” award – Honolulu City Center for its collaborative work with Japan and Pacific Rim, and san francisco for its extraordinary resurgence and innovative program development.
• Most Educational Event: Fresno City Center for its NCIDQ study initiatives + sacramento City Center for Ceu Saturday
• Beyond-Left-coast – Off the wall Event: Honolulu City Center for its Rock ‘N Bowl, an annual fundraiser
• Most effective/providing Community Service: Silicon Valley Festivus and Silicon Valley Culinary Challenge
• Most effective/creating membership growth: Sacra- mento City Center for Student Mixer and Student Design Awards
• Most Creative -Best Graphics: San Francisco Passport Series
• Most effective/enhancing membership experience: San Francisco – DimSum Networking San Francisco + Silicon Valley Culinary Challenge
• Most effective/supporting student experience: Fresno Boo ‘n Bowl for student sponsorship, sacramento golf tournament to benefit student grants
• Best overall program leadership in a City Center: San Francisco for their Passport series, Philanthropy By Design Collaboration, and NCIDQ prep.

Judges Eric Engstrom, FIIDA, Susan Jue IIDA, and Jean Hansen, FIIDA complemented the extraordinary program development within the five City Centers.
Chapter President Collin Burry commented ”I’m in awe and ever so proud of the creativity, passion and profession- alism of the events In our chapter.”

IIDA-NC can be reached at www.iida-nc.org.

Mike Skaar
VP City Centers IIDA-NC
IIDA-Industry
Skaar Furniture Associates Inc.
The San Francisco Design Center
Two Henry Adams Street, Suites 350 & 353
San Francisco CA
T. 415.487.9900

On February 11th, IIDA members enjoyed a fun event hosted at Interface.  As part of the Passport Series, this event featured an Olympic theme in support of the winter Olympics held just north of the border in Vancouver B.C.

Here are a few ‘candid camera’ snapshots taken at the Designer Biathlon:

Here are a few ‘candid camera’ snapshots taken at the Designer Biathlon:

Here are a few ‘candid camera’ snapshots taken at the Designer Biathlon:

Dunlop notes that the government in Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the region’s infrastructure, “The scope of investment is incredible.”

Dunlop goes on to say, “The Saudis are truly planning for the future by looking at the necessary investments to ensure a first class education for their citizens.  They are also focusing on the building of strong financial institutions.”

During the visit, Dunlop and Ackelbein met with three ministry leaders and worked closely with a major Saudi corporation who control 21 business organizations and are involved in high quality office furniture.

Their visit was warmly received and Dunlop believes that as a corporation, Inscape is well positioned to participate in the tremendous opportunities in this region of the Middle East.

“Inscape, in many ways, is a perfect partner for organizations in Saudi Arabia,” says Dunlop, “We’re looking forward to working with our new friends and business partners in Riyadh.  We’ll be back there again in the very near futuer.”

The presentation will focus on specific ergonomic issues and deliver the latest scientific data regarding possible  causes and treatments.  The presentation is open to the entire base.

Dr. Congelton Phd, PE, CPE is a professor of Ergonomics and Safety Engineering at Texas &M  University Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, Co-Director  of the Ergonomics Center at Texas A&M University and serves part-time as  a Strength & Conditioning Performance Coach for the Athletic Department.  The newest research on strength conditioning for Texas A&M athletes is  the same information that can benefit the young men and women at Travis AFB  in their conditioning efforts.

Dr. Congleton served as a fighter pilot in  the United States Air Force for seven years. He is a Vietnam Veteran with  213 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and  16 Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal while flying the F-4 Phantom.

Dr. Congletons’ educational  background includes a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of  Evansville in Indiana, a MS in Management from the University of Arkansas  and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech with research emphasis  on Ergonomics/Human factors (the design of the workplace to fit the worker).

Dr. Congleton previously worked at ALCOA for eight years  as an Industrial Engineer and Safety Manager solving posture and material  handling problems. Dr. Congleton serves as a consultant in research and  development for Neutral Posture Inc., in Bryan, Texas. In addition to his  teaching responsibilities, he works with industry in professional  development and ergonomic evaluation and research (with over 10 million  dollars of support to date).

Dr. Congleton is a past Co-director of the  Ergonomics and Work Measurement Division of the Institute of Industrial  Engineers and is a past member of the board of directors of the  International Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Foundation. His research  interests are in office ergonomics, seated research, workplace design,  prevention and control of back injuries, worker physiology, performance  measurement and enhancement, and ergonomics. He holds 8 patents, 35 refereed  journal publications and has graduated and chaired 19 Ph.D.’s and 70  Masters.

Dr. Congleton is the lead outside Ergonomic Consultant to Neutral Posture Ergonomics and his pioneering research and patented designs are found in a number of their products.  Neutral Posture Ergonomics is a Certified Woman Owned manufacturer and has been one of the top seating providers to Government for decades Their seating products are an excellent complement to Inscape’s ergonomically designed office systems.

Pamela covers the Spokane / Idaho region and we’re excited to have her organization as an Inscape Dealer.

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CDA Resort Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

• Meeting at Beverly’s in the owners dining room

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Taking in the view overlooking Coeur d’Alene lake:

• Rich McKernan, Century 21 Commercial, CDA, Idaho
• Pamela Burke, Burke Design Group, CDA, Idaho
• Jim Landwehr, V.P. Trans-system, Inc., Spokane, Washington

Michael Ackelbein
V.P. Sales (Western)
mackelbein@inscapesolutions.com
415.710.8024

OFFICEPLANIT and OLAB STUDIO  
http://www.officeplanit.com
619.238.1889
Jim Edmondson

“Although many movable wall manufacturers tend to consider contractors as being on opposing ’sides’, I believe that we can and should work more closely together.

It simply makes sense for our clients.  For instance, on the West Coast, we have to adhere to seismic regulations, so as movable wall suppliers, we have to work with contractors during installation. Why have one team for the installation and another for the seismic bracing if it can be handled by one team more efficiently and cost-effectively?”

In a step toward greater understanding and cooperation between the two industries, Michael Ackelbein and San Francisco based Inscape dealer, Farid Gazor, met with Rocky Moss (DPR San Francisco G.M.) and Jim Washburn (DPR Newport Beach G.M.) to discuss movable walls and the dramatic interest these products are attracting from clients and architects.

“DPR is a progressive company that really gets it.  They embrace environmentally responsible products and they employ cutting edge technology including AutoCad Revit.  It’s a good fit for Inscape because we share a similar outlook and provide a similar client base with complementary products.

Touring the Inscape installation of  Inform, Reform and Fronte products at the Pentagon has given the Viginia based DPR team a good first hand overview of how Inscape products work and their potential.  Next year, we’re planning on having a DPR team from the West Coast tour a large  San Antonio installation of Inscape walls.”

Graham Parks, one of the 4 member DPR (Virginia) team to tour Inscape’s Pentagon installation, says “We were impressed by the panels and their flexibility for modifying the layout of an office space.  We saw potential for some of our clients.”  The other members of the DPR team were Tom Kurek, Terry Edmondson and Jeff Roof.

Michael Ackelbein says that he is pleased with the progress made so far and believes that teaming up with DPR to provide clients with a turnkey process would streamline projects and save clients money.  Ackelbein concluded, “I believe this is the way of the future.”

Recently I was on the committee for Product Runway - what King 5 Evening Magazine describes as ‘one of Seattle’s fiercest fashion events‘.

What a blast!  Basically, the challenge is to create a couture garment from materials used in home and office construction.

The event is a fund raiser put on by the IDCW Interior Design Coalition of Washington – an organization set up to pass legislation to have Washington based Interior Designers registered to practice in the state.

Product Runway always attracts a lot attention and architects, interior designers and suppliers of materials they specify team up to create amazing garments that are also works of art!

Check out Evening Magazine’s short video on Product  Runway.

Cans for Construction: Barbara Cooper with display in front of Wolcott Interiors & Architecture

Cans for Construction: Barbara Cooper with display in front of Wolcott Interiors & Architecture

Anniversary tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall - Temporary Art: L.A. County Art Museum Project

Private office: IAI Fronte Wall System Installation in spec. office at 500 Wilshire Blvd.

Conference area: IAI Fronte Wall System @ 5900 Wilshire Blvd.