FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASID Announces New Plans for 2009
ASID outlines new initiatives to support designers in a down economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 10, 2009) | The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) heads into 2009 with a new lineup of programs and partnerships. "We have a lot to accomplish this year," says Michael Alin, Hon. FASID, and executive director of ASID. "Like everyone, the economy is affecting our profession-from small business owners to large firms-and as a Society it is our responsibility to provide added support and resources to help them succeed."

In addition to the services and programs the organization already offers to the design community, in 2009 ASID:

Announced new webinars that provide tools and resources to help designers survive the down economy. Transcripts will be made available online soon.

Moves the ASID national conference to the largest design expo and conference, NeoCon World's Trade Fair in Chicago, June 15 - 17, 2009 (www.asid.org/foryou09)

Introduces a new category to the Earth-Minded Awards for students held in conjunction with Hospitality Design magazine, entries due March 1, 2009 (www.hdmag.com)

Launches ASID Uni, the new online educational platform for ASID members

Releases the complete redesign of the Society's Magazine, ASID ICON

Becomes one of the founding partners of Mission Zero, a new social networking site devoted to sustainability in the built environment (www.missionzero.org)

Moves ASID awards presentation to the ASID CLC (Chapter Leadership Conference) in Cincinnati, July 16 - 18, 2009

Rolls out upgrades, new functionality and resources to Connex, a social networking site made available to ASID members last year

Joins the Architecture and Design Education Network (A+DEN) Steering Committee, an organization that develops design education for the K - 12 audience (www.adenweb.org)

Reveals new learning programs, webinars and online courses for REGREEN, the nation's first green residential remodeling guidelines for existing homes developed by ASID and United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

Becomes a member of the High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition and co-sponsors congressional briefings that inform policymakers about the major impact buildings have on health, safety and welfare

Through the ASID Foundation, partners with Rebuilding Together and their veteran's housing initiative to renovate the homes of retired and active service men and women in need of home repairs (www.rebuildingtogether.org)

For more information on any of the above initiatives, email Korenna Cline at kcline@asid.org.

About ASID: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people-designers, industry representatives, educators and students-committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people's lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
www.asid.org