There are allied professionals and their associations. There are client groups, consultants and more. When we connect with all who affect the design of interior environments we unleash the power of knowledge into action. However, associations can provide the staying power, the ability to do more with less, and the ability to act innovatively and strategically. Associations should continue pursuing further efforts on behalf of the small practitioner so that they, too, have the benefits of working in the context of a large corporation, but retain the creativity and ingenuity frequently limited to the small.
Professional organizations can become umbrella organizations for their customers and partners.
Associations can assist the profession by searching for common interest in ourselves and the markets we serve. Through these common interests we can assist in the creation of positive environments for market penetration and expansion for design professionals. We as the designers of systems should find a conducive environment for our skills with these new leaders. Associations can be working to make it happen. The good news is that the federal government projects a budget surplus this year, the first since President Nixon, and that the surplus will continue for the next several years.