IIDA Ohio and Kentucky Design Awards and Student Conference

Two events, one thriving design community

More than 100 project submissions. Five city centers. One unforgettable night under the stars of a planetarium.

Over two back-to-back days in Cleveland, the IIDA Ohio Kentucky chapter gave the region’s design community plenty to celebrate. The Hamilton Parker team was there for two of its biggest moments: the IIDA Student Conference and the 2026 OH/KY Interior Design Awards. One looked ahead to the next generation of designers. The other honored the outstanding work happening across Ohio and Kentucky right now. Here’s what we saw, what we learned, and why we left both events energized.

2026 Ohio Kentucky Student Conference: the future of design is curious

On Thursday and Friday, September 24 and 25, 2026, students gathered in Cleveland for IIDA Ohio Kentucky’s second chapter-wide Student Conference. The two-day program offers professional development, peer and professional networking, and educational content for students preparing to enter the industry. If this year’s conference is any sign, the interior design industry is in very good hands.

Our team came ready to talk products and materials. The students came ready to talk about everything. They asked how we got into the business, which market segments we love most, and which projects we’re proudest of. Many shared their own experiences and were refreshingly open about their plans after graduation. One student told us she’s moving to New York City to launch her career, and we have no doubt she’ll make her mark.

A bigger, broader room than ever

This year, IIDA opened the conference to students from smaller chapters, and the result was a wider mix of voices. Alongside familiar faces from Kent State, Ohio State, Ohio University, the University of Akron, Tri-C, and the University of Cincinnati, we met students from Kentucky (attending as part of our chapter for the first time) and from as far as Michigan and the Carolinas.

That range made for richer conversations. Students compared programs, swapped ideas, and asked thoughtful questions about life after school. For a supplier like Hamilton Parker, conversations like these are a reminder of why we show up: the designers we meet today are the ones specifying tile, stone, and building materials for tomorrow’s projects.

2026 OH/KY Interior Design Awards: a night worth celebrating

As the student conference wrapped up on Friday, September 25, 2026, the IIDA Ohio Kentucky chapter gathered at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to honor the best interior design work across the two states.

The IIDA Ohio Kentucky Design Awards recognize outstanding projects in every interior design practice area. With more than 100 submissions this year, the competition was strong.

How the awards work

The program honors excellence at three levels:

• Vertical market awards recognize standout projects in each practice area.
• Best of City Center celebrates the top project from each of the chapter’s five city centers: Cincinnati/Dayton, Cleveland/Akron, Columbus, Louisville/Lexington, and Toledo.
• Best in Show closes the night by honoring the single most outstanding project overall.

Hamilton Parker was proud to attend as a benefactor, and our team had the honor of presenting five of the evening’s awards.

Want to see the work that earned the spotlight? View the winning projects on the IIDA Ohio Kentucky website.

A chapter-wide gathering

Because this was the full chapter awards, designers traveled in from markets across Ohio and Kentucky. That made it a rare chance to connect with peers outside our own showrooms and cities. We heard about the challenges and wins designers are seeing in their markets, and those conversations were every bit as valuable as the awards themselves.

Proud to be a part of the Industry

Both events reminded us why Hamilton Parker is proud to support the architecture and design community in Ohio and Kentucky. Students are asking bigger questions. Designers are producing remarkable work. And the people behind IIDA Ohio Kentucky are building events that bring everyone together.
We’re already looking ahead to the next awards program, and we hope to be in the running with a project of our own as a supplier.

Working on a commercial or residential project? Visit one of our showrooms in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Delaware, or contact our team to explore materials for your next design.