EMBRACING NEW REALITIES

Since stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director after Chris Livaudais’ departure at the end of last year, I’ve been humbled by the kind words from so many of you. With your support, and that of the Board and Staff, I’m excited for a very successful year ahead.

While there is plenty of reason for optimism about our future, a simultaneous reality is beginning to take shape. It’s no secret that the economy has been facing turbulence, but it’s not solely about inflation’s impact on the price of everyday items like food and gas or what seems to be a long-term debate over a looming recession. Conversations with our members over the past several months reveal a growing trend of lower-than-expected company revenues and, in some cases, layoffs.

My first major communication to you as Interim Executive Director is not meant to be doom and gloom. With the passion and commitment of our Board, Staff, and greater IDSA community, I am confident that we will overcome these challenges. However, I believe that as a leader within the profession, IDSA has a responsibility to be honest and proactive about the realities we currently face.

At the Board of Directors meeting this January, with both Board and Staff in attendance, I shared my plan for the year ahead. Borne out of conversations with the Board and member feedback and an understanding of what’s happening within the industry, we must demonstrate agility and provide pertinent resources so that our members can continue to derive value from IDSA and feel equipped to face challenges that might lay ahead.

I would like to briefly touch on two areas of our 2023 plan:

Event Programming

Events are central to IDSA’s identity. Nearly five years ago, a series of visioning sessions yielded a recommitment to what we’ve always been great at: in-person connections. But a lot has changed in the world since then. Economic uncertainties, the impact of COVID-19, and a much-needed spotlight on diversity, equity, and inclusion have shaped a new reality. No longer can IDSA afford to singularly focus on the in-person experience or frameworks of the past. That’s why this year we’re investing our resources to enhance the entire event experience, from thoughtful content curation and diverse event leadership to strengthened programming partnerships and streamlined virtual access. More to come in the second half of the year.

Community Programming

At last year’s IDC in Seattle, WA, IDSA announced it was bolstering organizational resources to better support the academic community. Additionally, the vision for a new Academic Membership program was introduced. As an evolution of our highly successful Group Membership program, Academic Membership will uniquely package new and existing offerings designed for students, educators, and industrial design programs. Early excitement about the pilot, which kicked off in January, suggests we’re on to something big. Stay tuned for the rollout of the full program later this year.

Professional chapters and sections have always been, and remain, a core part of IDSA’s programming. We’re continuing to improve our support for volunteer leaders by exploring ways to better equip them with training through the Community Leadership Institute and access to IDSA funds for programming. We are strategizing on different models and hope to share creative solutions with them this year.

We have a challenging but promising year ahead. With the resilience and strength of the IDSA community, I am certain we will emerge stronger than ever. In the meantime, we are committed to supporting our members and providing the resources, content, and opportunities to help our community succeed.

—Jerry Layne, CAE, Interim Executive Director jerryl@idsa.org