Celebrating 32 years on Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2016, IIDEXCanada, co-presented with Interior Designers of Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North building to host critical conversations on trends and issues affecting the communities that make up the built environment.
IIDEXCanada 2016 has tapped transformative and inspiring design thinkers to lead the conference program on the Keilhauer Keynote Theatre at this year’s show. The line-up of keynote presenters span the entire spectrum of design—from consumer products and furniture to architecture and thought-provoking interventions in the landscape. Every speaker has faced the challenges of designing for a more open and inclusive built environment while demonstrating leadership through unconventional thinking that has inspired their professional and industry colleagues to follow their lead.
“The significant shifts happening across all sectors of design signal a departure from what the industry is used to,” said Tracy Bowie, IIDEXCanada vice president. “In his or her own way, each keynote is responsible for changing the conversation about how and for whom the industry designs.”
IIDEXCanada is excited to have Keilhauer’s continued support as the keynote theatre sponsor.
“We are very excited to continue the long-standing relationship between IIDEXCanada and Keilhauer,” said Jackie Maze, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Keilhauer. “We both share a commitment to work with the best global design minds, and we are honoured for the opportunity to share their expertise with IIDEXCanada attendees.”
IIDEXCanada 2016 Keynote Program
 | With over 3,000 designs in production, over 300 awards and work in at least 40 countries, New York based Canadian designer Karim Rashid’s philosophy of democratic design is what makes his work resonate with consumers, and makes him highly sought after by global brands. From Umbra and Artemide, to 3M, to Audi, and more recently, real estate developments, his distinctive style transcends across the spectrum of design that includes hospitality, retail and interiors. Karim will discuss “The Future of Design” on Nov. 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. |
 | Celebrated architect and educator Chris Downey lost his eyesight in 2008 after 20 years as a practicing architect. Since then, he has leveraged this personal, life-altering event to advocate for the needs of blind or visually impaired peoples through integrative design solutions that heighten one’s relationship with architecture regardless of how it is experienced and whether or not it can even be seen. Chris delivers his talk “Empathetic Eyes: Design for Universal Delight” on Nov. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. |
 | Dutch designer and curator Petra Blaisse is the founder and principle of Inside Outside, a multi-disciplinary firm based in Amsterdam. With a vast portfolio of creative areas, including textiles, light and interior finishes, landscape architecture and exhibition design, she works internationally on projects of technical and creative sophistication, ambition and scale. She is a regular collaborator with highly acclaimed architects, artists and designers. Petra will also share her insights on leadership during the Women in Design summit on November 30th. Hear Petra discuss “Hard and Soft, Inside Outside under Construction” on Dec. 1 from 12 to 1 p.m. |
 | Irish architect Róisín Heneghan is co-founder of heneghan peng architects, which focuses on landscape, urban planning and architecture. She worked on the Palestinian Museum; and Central Park Bridges at the London 2012 Olympic Park. In early 2016, heneghan-peng along with Toronto based Kearns Mancini Architects, won a competition to design of the Canadian Canoe Museum. She also served as a jury member for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights competition and the 2016 RIBA Stirling prize. Hear Róisín deliver her talk on “Thoughts on Architecture, Museums & Spectacle” on Nov. 30 from 4 to 5 p.m. |
 | French furniture and product designer Christophe Pillet’s work exudes a rare clarity of form and simplified expression, spanning the entire spectrum of design. These key principles that have made him one of the few industrial designers to gain global recognition for creating award-winning furniture, hotels, boutiques while directing artistic projects in the U.S., Great Britain and Japan. Christophe takes the stage on Dec. 1st from 4 to 5 p.m. |
 | Paul Scialla is the founder of Delos and a leading voice in the latest generation of sustainability advocates. By combining his experiences in real estate with the concept of wellness, he established the International WELL Building Institute which administers the WELL Building Standard. He speaks at green building forums and conferences around the world to promote human health and wellbeing throughout the built environment. Paul opens the second day of IIDEXCanada with a talk on the WELL Building Standard, Dec. 1 from 8 to 9 a.m. He also joins the National Summit on Wellness that follows on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
 | Architect and academic Edgar Gonzalez works at the intersection of technology, communication and architecture to apply storytelling, design thinking and human-centred design as seminal tools to design-related problem solving. He brings his traveling exhibit “EXPORT: Spanish Architecture Abroad” to the IIDEXCanada Show floor. Edgar speaks on Dec. 1 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |