OFS Sponsors Keynote Speakers at IIDA South Florida's "New Year, New You" Event

OFS Sponsors Keynote Speakers at IIDA South Florida's "New Year, New You" Event

by Doug Shapiro

Miami, FL - January 20, 2024 -- Miami recently played host to the International Interior Design Association's South Florida Chapter's highly anticipated event, "New Year, New You." This annual gathering is dedicated to providing designers and industry professionals with the tools and inspiration they need to kickstart their personal and professional growth for the year ahead. OFS proudly stepped in as a sponsor for this insightful occasion.

This year's event took a deep dive into the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the interior design industry. OFS was thrilled to sponsor the Keynote Speakers, Nate Thompson and Alex Schwartz of The Disrupted Workforce. They brought their expertise to the stage, shedding light on how to develop an open mindset that can thrive in an AI-dominated world. 

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“The beauty of New Year New You is in the combination of personal and professional development. It combines inspiration, tools and resources, motivation, networking, and heartfelt moments of connection with peers and the community. IIDA South Florida curated an amazing conference this year with The Disrupted Workforce keynotes where we learned about AI and human authenticity. I was inspired to find new ways to utilize technology as a teammate, and was reminded that being imperfectly human is the beauty in our equation that AI cannot take away.”
- Maria VanDeman, NCIDQ, Ind. IIDA

The event also featured two engaging panel discussions, each exploring different facets of the impact of AI. The first panel, labeled the "Brain," was led by Cheryl Durst, the CEO of IIDA. Cheryl Durst also delivered the event's opening remarks, setting the stage for a day of engaging discussions and learning. The "Heart" panel discussion was led by OFS's very own VP of Customer Experience, Molly Prior.

The event was organized at the local level by dedicated individuals, including Rad Larios, Midori Shim, and Erica Orofino, who served as event chairs. Attendees left the event with a clearer understanding of how to harness the power of AI while staying true to the core principles that make design a uniquely human endeavor.

OFS looks forward to future collaborations with IIDA South Florida Chapter and remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that drive the interior design industry forward. 

“The IIDA South Florida chapter event embraced the atmosphere of a heartwarming family reunion, weaving the power of connection and vulnerability into every moment. In a world where AI conversations often lack humanity, this gathering harmonized technical discussions with the genuine warmth of the human heart.”
- Molly Menke Prior
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About OFS:
OFS is a family-owned contract furniture manufacturer dedicated to crafting experiences and products that contribute to places where people want to be. Founded in 1937, OFS provides furniture and logistics solutions for office, healthcare, education, lifestyle, government, and home office markets worldwide, offering seating products, tables, casegoods, and open-plan products. OFS is based in Huntingburg, Indiana.

About Carolina:
For over 75 years, Carolina has designed and manufactured quality furniture for customers around the globe. Founded in 1947, Carolina has constantly evolved their products and expanded their knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow’s challenges, as well as today’s. Carolina is based in High Point, NC and was acquired by OFS Brands in 2007. Due to the unique connection to OFS, Carolina can also draw from their full offering of products designed for administrative working spaces.

OFS Press Contact: Adriana Morton - amorton@ofs.com