Chapter Profile

The Ohio Chapter was established in the mid-1980's. Serving a diverse retail design market, the Ohio Chapter has an enviable roster of members including some of the nation's category-leading retailers, numerous top design and architecture firms, as well as important supplier and trade media companies. The Ohio region's various highly ranked design schools also provide an opportunity for the chapter to prepare its members for the next generation of retail design excellence.

The Ohio Chapter is one of the Institute's more active chapters and generally convenes bimonthly at an industry-related networking and educational event. These gatherings typically feature creative studio, fabrication facility, and retail walking tours, as well as relevant presentations such as technique innovation, sustainable practices, and design trends. Led by a committee of four executive officers, the Chapter strives to represent the many facets of our memberships' needs. Several new initiatives for 2009 are underway, including a Chapter Student Design Competition and retail design curriculum, a national retail design archive, a series of interactive "round table" /idea exchange events, and a more useful chapter website offering event information, professional opportunities, and social networking among its members.