IIDA NY Honors David Burney and Hilda Longinotti

The power of community was on fine display this week at IIDA New York‘s annual Leaders Breakfast, attended by a record-breaking 650 industry members. Now counting seven participating cities, the Leaders Breakfast program celebrated its 25th anniversary by recognizing David Burney, commissioner of the NYC Department of Design and Construction, with an Honoree Award. Burney spoke on the importance of civic design, reminding us all that government work is “far from boring.”

Mark Strauss, president and publisher of Interior Design, introduced keynote speaker Todd Henry, founder of Accidental Creative and author of Die Empty, who offered insight on how to avoid patterns of creative failure in the digital world.

The event also paid special tribute to Leaders Breakfast co-chair Hilda Longinotti, who gives up her post this year to incumbent co-chair Suzette Rhodes of Herman Miller. Interior Design editor in chief Cindy Allen introduced Longinotti with a few poignant words of respect, calling the industry influencer a “larger than life presence” and “the best salesperson in the room.”