LEWISVILLE, N.C., Sept. 5, 2024 — The Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, is pleased to announce that it is a Sponsor of the Bienenstock Furniture Library’s third annual Future Designers Summit in High Point, N.C., September 11 to 13 and has been since its inception. This sponsorship will allow five students to attend the conference at no charge.

The Future Designers Summit is an immersive educational experience conceived and organized by the library for nurturing the next generation of industry professionals in fields ranging from furniture and industrial design to interior architecture and merchandising.

Following a competitive applications review earlier this year, 40 students from universities and colleges across the U.S. will attend this three-day event, featuring keynote presentations by internationally renowned designer and “Love It or List It” co-host Hilary Farr; holistic interior designer Gala Magriñá; Mike Peterson, President, Visionary Design Marketing; Founder, Science in Design; and Tammy Nagem, President and CEO, High Point Market Authority. There will also be in-depth facility tours and opportunities to earn one of three $5,000 scholarship awards.

“We are proud to support such an important initiative,” said Stephanie Graham, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “Educating and inspiring the next generation as well as encouraging career growth is what we’re all about. Our thanks to past IFDA EF Board Chairman Helen Wagner for initiating this effort.”

“I am excited to attend this event along with other IFDA members in attendance, including Ellen Gefen and Patti Carpenter, as well as Jane Dagmi, a recent grant recipient,” said Dawn Brinson, past President of IFDA. “Students are our future and helping them on the road to success is an important part of our mission.”

“Sponsorships are critical for funding student participation and awards” said Karla Jones, Executive Director, Bienenstock Furniture Library. “We’re grateful to all our sponsors for their generous support of this industry-forward student initiative.”

To learn more about the program, visit the Future Designers Summit page located on the Bienenstock Furniture Library website, or write to Karla Jones at executive-director@furniturelibrary.com.

About IFDA
IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501c(3) organization. Its nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design. In addition, the grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools, and IFDA programs for chapters and members. Visit ifdaef.org or follow us on instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/.