Unifying Creativity and Community at GATHER 2025 in Atlanta
Key Highlights
- More than 800 interior design professionals assembled to recognize design excellence and community while exploring future trends and ideas shaping interior design.
- Immersive workshops, keynote speeches, and a lively exhibitor hall rounded out the society’s 50-year anniversary.
- Awards honored educators, students, and innovative research in the field.
Can a conference feel like a family reunion, a design lab, and a disco all rolled into one? Can sequins, moves, and CEUs all share the same stage? At GATHER 2025 in Atlanta this August, the answer was “yes,” as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) blended it all into one unforgettable experience.
High Honors for ASID Awards Recipients
Education was a central focus from the start, as GATHER celebrated the people shaping the profession at the opening event, “A Cheers to Excellence” Awards Reception and Anniversary Toast. Becca Terpstra, ASID Educator, was named Educator of the Year, and Gemma Cullen, ASID Student, received Student of the Year honors.
Over the course of the event, ASID’s Poster Gallery Walk showcased innovative research from emerging professionals, with awards going to: Rebekah Matheny and Renee Hytry Derrington (Best Presenter); Stephanie McGoldrick (Most Data Driven); Cristi Bell-Huff (Most Impactful Project); and Tamie Glass (Best in Gallery).
Applying Research-Based Practices for Purposeful Design
The conference opened with the annual State of the Society address, delivered by Khoi Vo and David Euscher. Highlighting resources supporting evidence-based and inclusive design, including ASID’s Adaptive Living Guide, collaborations with the Trauma-Informed Design Society, and scholarship and research initiatives from the ASID Foundation, the speech was a rousing retrospective of the progress and impact the society has made over half a century. Vo and Euscher also offered insight into how the power and importance of design will continue to shape our world in new and growing ways over the next 50 years.
In delivering the first keynote, “Timeless Leadership: Designing a Life That Feels as Good as It Looks,” Dr. Jennifer Keitt inspired personal reflection and motivated attendees to envision new ways to integrate purpose-driven strategies into their studios and firms.
Insights for Professional Development
GATHER’s focus on learning carried on with hands-on workshops, firm tours, and student programming. Attendees also had the chance to meet authors and gain insights from their work, with Barbara Huelat (Taming the Chaos of Dementia), Christine Cowart and Adrienne Erdman (Trauma-Informed Design), and Pamela Durkin (Elevate: The Ultimate Guide to Take Your Design Business from the Ground Floor to the Penthouse) all offering meet-and-greets and personal book signings.
Workshops and CEU sessions spanned a breadth of topics from trauma-informed frameworks and AI in design to circular economy practices, wellness-focused spaces, advocacy, and professional etiquette. A standout session from Kerrie Kelly, FASID, NKBA, CMKBD, CAPS, Creative Director of Kerrie Kelly Design Studio, dove into building authentic brand partnerships—showing designers how to expand their influence and open new avenues for business growth. Students toured local design firms, while emerging professionals explored leadership and career growth, creating opportunities for learning that could be applied immediately back in the studio.
By the end of the three days, GATHER had woven together learning, celebration, and playful flair. Between insightful presentations, hands-on sessions, and the occasional disco-worthy dance move, attendees left invigorated—not just with new ideas and practical tools, but with renewed connections to the design community that make moments like GATHER truly unforgettable.
For those who couldn’t attend in person, ASID created a virtual education package of key sessions and CEU-approved recordings. Launching in mid-September, the GATHER 2025 Virtual Conference Package offers 12 CEUs, with free access codes provided to Atlanta attendees and registrants once the package goes live. Members can purchase the full bundle for $199 (less than $17 per CEU), while non-members can access it for $399—nearly 50% off standard Design Learning rates. The package will be available for a limited time beginning mid-September. Visit Design Learning by ASID (asid.org/learn) to purchase and register.