New York! New York!

 Happy Friday!!

We hope everyone is staying warm this week -- it's been so chilly! With frosty forecasts coming, it finally is feeling a little bit like fall winter (sorry, fall. You got bypassed). 

Last week, Melanie had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2014 Design Leadership Summit in New York City. The Design Leadership Summit is hosted each year by the Design Leadership Network, creating a community for design leaders while also promoting advocacy, pursuing research, and educating peers to strengthen the design professions.

In the tradition of the Design Leadership Network, the 2014 Summit continues with extraordinary programming that both inspires and educates. Informal group discussions allowed attendees to interact and learn from each other’s experiences in addition to the guided discussion. Attendees are invited to join the dynamic conversation on the impact of the increased globalization in art, design, and architecture, and how it relates to the rise of local movements in craft and culture. 

The first day began at the United Nations building with a challenge to consider the increasingly international scope and scale of the design marketplace. Attendees engaged with major business and design leaders with international influence. Each session inspired members to rethink and shape their approach to design within a global perspective

Sculpture outside the UN Building

Inside the UN Building

On the second day, the Summit traveled to Brooklyn’s Industry City, a 6-million square foot cluster of historic warehouses. These warehouses are quickly becoming the city’s most dynamic destination for designers, innovators, start-ups, manufacturers and artists. Brooklyn symbolizes small batch craftsmanship with fine attention to detail, becoming an inspiration to a generation of people engaging in the maker movement in all the creative pursuits that guide our culture.

Inside Brooklyn's Industry City

After the meetings, discussions, and tours, attendees got to go out and enjoy the city!

Peter Sallick and John Edelman

Photo Booth Fun!

Melanie said that the Design Leadership Summit was a truly memorable experience and a wonderful learning opportunity. The knowledge gained there was invaluable and will benefit us here at TDA. She's already looking forward to next year!

Also, give Melanie warm birthday wishes because today is her birthday! Happy birthday, Melanie!