"ASID CA Peninsula is Chapter of the Year!"

August 18, 2025

We’re Chapter of the Year!

We’re honored and excited to share that ASID National has named the California Peninsula Chapter Chapter of the Year, a recognition that reflects the creativity, compassion, and commitment of our entire community.

This past year, we embraced what makes our chapter unique: curiosity, creativity, and a true love for design. From Paris to Healdsburg, showroom tours to roundtable conversations, we created meaningful experiences that sparked conversation, expanded perspectives, inspired new ideas and brought our members together.

Education was a cornerstone of our programming. We offered CEUs on topics like neuroaesthetics, sustainability, natural materials, and brand building, with a strong focus on wellness, creativity, and staying at the forefront of a rapidly changing profession. Our multi-day retreat in Healdsburg invited members to explore the science of design through immersive experiences, while events like our Everyday AI meeting offered tools to navigate the evolving intersection of creativity and technology.

We deepened our connection to craft through our Meet the Maker series, with exclusive access to artisans, textile houses, lighting designers, and local creatives. These events reminded us that storytelling, materiality, and process are essential to the future of design.

Community remained at the heart of everything we did. We partnered with organizations like the Bay Area Furniture Bank, helped raise nearly $100,000 for families transitioning out of crisis, and participated in Coastal Cleanup Day to give back to the planet. At the Boys and Girls Club, we introduced interior design as a career path, connecting with young students and inspiring the next generation.

Students were active and engaged - volunteering, touring showrooms, joining charettes, and earning scholarships. Our mentorship efforts helped them gain confidence, access, and insight into the possibilities of a design career. They brought fresh energy and perspective to everything we created.

We also took time to celebrate the spirit and strength of this community. From our Parisian masquerade holiday soirée and the annual Chopped Challenge to the always-anticipated Design Expo and Design Excellence Awards, we made space for connection, fun, and a little bit of magic. Whether it was a stilt-walking dancer, a surprise luxury lounge, or a celebrity moderator, we believe design should delight as much as it informs.

Through our ongoing DEI work, we created space for dialogue and reflection. Roundtable events and cross-industry collaborations encouraged open conversations about inclusion, career journeys, and leadership, helping us grow as a stronger, more supportive community.

We also elevated our communication strategy, sharing highlights, wins, and insights through social media, newsletters, and our biannual magazine. These platforms allowed us to amplify member voices, celebrate design excellence, and stay connected with a larger audience. Our recent issues have explored topics like neuroaesthetics, wellness, and the stories behind our 50-year legacy.

This year was also about strengthening relationships with our sponsors. Thanks to their support, we were able to produce meaningful programs, offer CEUs, and build new connections between designers and top manufacturers and vendors. These partnerships are a vital part of what makes our chapter dynamic and relevant.

To be named Chapter of the Year is an extraordinary honor, and to receive this recognition during our 50th anniversary year makes it even more special. This milestone not only honors where we’ve been but energizes us for the future we are building together.

Every conversation, event, collaboration, and moment of connection contributed to this win. It is a reflection of the generosity, creativity, and passion of our members. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited about what comes next. Let’s keep creating, growing, and showing up for one another through the power of design.

Thank you to every member who contributed to this moment. This award belongs to all of us. Let’s keep building, dreaming, and designing – together.