Leaders Connecting Locally

Leaders Breakfast events feature a renowned keynote speaker that invokes, encourages and inspires attendees. During the event, host cities celebrate their regional successes and one particular Leader, chosen by the Host Committee, who most embodies leadership characteristics through their contributions to the industry.

Each honoree is presented with a molded plywood splint, in its original packaging, designed and created by Charles and Ray Eames for injured U.S. soldiers during WWII. The splint has become an iconic symbol of the legacy of Charles and Ray Eames, as well as a testament to their spirit of leadership within the design profession. Charles and Ray were visionaries who constantly elevated the process of design by expanding their creative boundaries through the use of new materials and fresh ideas.

Herman Miller is proud to sponsor the Leader's Breakfast series with IIDA and Interior Design magazine and has a tradition of recognizing the leaders of our profession with this innovative, steadfast symbol of design excellence.

Leaders Breakfast History

The IIDA Leaders Breakfast series began as a single event, launched in New York, in 1989 by Jeannie Bochette of Steelcase. The goal was to introduce IIDA to the business world as a leading industry association and to inform IIDA Members about major economic issues affecting them and their clients, as presented by prominent corporate executives, government officials and academic experts. The event established a forum where IIDA Members and their clients could see, hear and network with peers.

Crossing Borders

In 2001, the IIDA Leaders Breakfast expanded into what is now an international program. We hope you’ll be inspired by our keynote speakers as they share leadership secrets and insight, and by our honorees – true industry leaders and innovators. In 2011 we have eight IIDA Leaders Breakfast events stretching from coast to coast and crossing borders, including: Seattle, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago and Toronto. Each event features keynotes and honored guests specifically chosen for the venue region.

If you're interested in starting a Leaders Breakfast event in your region, contact Jeanne Fisher, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.