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INTERIOR DESIGNERS CELEBRATE NEW INDIANA INDUSTRY STANDARDS

IndianaINterior Design Coalition will be hosting an open house event to celebrate the passing of Senate Bill 337

Indianapolis, IN – June 24, 2009- Interior designers throughout Indiana are celebrating the recent passing of the “Interior Design” bill (Senate Bill 337). The new legislation provides for the voluntary registration of interior designers who meet certain education, experience and examination qualifications to ensure their expertise in all areas of interior design, including adhering to building, fire and municipal codes; enforcing accessibility, environmental and sustainability guidelines as well as selecting and coordinating aesthetics.

Qualified designers, once registered, will be able to use the term “registered interior designer” (RID) after their name. This registry is the platform for consumers and allied industry professionals to evaluate and choose the individuals whose work adheres to national life, health and safety rules.

On July 1, 2009 the bill officially goes into law, which is also the date of the SAFE INterior Design Coalition open house. This event will recognize how far the industry has come and the key individuals who made reaching this legislative milestone possible.

WHAT: SAFE INterior Design Coalition Legislative Win Celebration event
WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: i.d.o. Incorporated, 601 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204
WHO: Interior Designers and Allied Industry Professionals

This event is a kick-off of what is yet to come to the design community. In the past, the interior design profession has had a lack of standardization; now with this legislation in place, it establishes the basis for what is and what is not included under this vocation’s umbrella. SAFE INterior Design president-elect Jill Mendoza comments on these industry changes, “These are exciting times to be an interior designer. We now have the legislative backing to substantiate the technical expertise of our profession, and my hope is that SAFE continues to blaze the trail in elevating our industry’s
standards.”

SAFE INterior Design is beginning its efforts to finalize the registration process for the approximately 1,200 interior designers in the state of Indiana. The registry is anticipated to be completed and online by December 2009. Designers who are interested in staying abreast of the registry progress are encouraged to join SAFE INterior Design Coalition.

About the SAFE INterior Design Coalition: The Indiana Interior Design Coalition is the collective voice of Indiana interior designers established to protect public health and safety through the adoption of nationally recognized interior design standards. These standards enable the public to identify qualified interior designers and ensure SAFE (Slip resistant, Accessible, Fire Codes, Ergonomics) environments. More information on the organization and the Interior Design Registry can be found at www.safeinteriordesign.org.
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SAFE INterior Design Coalition www.safeinteriordesign.com
Contact: Rachel Jackson
Scheitlin Communications
317-846-3399,x110

RachelJ@scheitlin.com