Why should I attend IDC?

Because industrial design is changing and this is where those conversations happen in real time.

IDSA International Design Conference (IDC) & Education Symposium brings together designers, educators, students, and industry leaders for four days of ideas, critique, collaboration, and perspective. It’s a place to reconnect with the discipline, meet the people shaping it, and rethink where design goes next.

What makes the content different?

IDC is built around substance, not surface.

The conference combines keynote sessions, workshops, exhibitions, portfolio reviews, and open discussion, creating space for both inspiration and honest conversation. The focus isn’t just on finished outcomes, but on process, systems, tensions, and the realities behind the work.

Who is IDC really for?

Anyone invested in the future of design.

That includes practicing designers, students, educators, researchers, creative leaders, and people working adjacent to industrial design who want a deeper perspective on where the field is headed.

What kinds of conversations happen there?

The conversations are cross-disciplinary, practical, critical, and often unexpected.

You’ll hear discussions about emerging technologies, education, ethics, manufacturing, sustainability, storytelling, business, craft, and the evolving role of designers inside larger systems.

How can I make the most of the experience?

Come curious.

Attend sessions outside your immediate focus. Talk to people between events. Spend time in the exhibits. Ask questions during workshops. IDC works best when you move beyond observation and engage directly with the community around you.

Is this mainly networking? 

Not in the traditional sense.

IDC is less about transactional networking and more about meaningful exchange and meeting people through shared interests, conversations, critiques, and experiences throughout the week.

What happens outside the sessions?

A lot.

Some of the most valuable moments happen between scheduled programming: during Open Design Day, exhibition walkthroughs, coffee breaks, poster sessions, and late-night conversations after events end.

Why Pasadena?

Pasadena offers a different pace than downtown Los Angeles. A walkable, architectural, creative, and layered with design history. The conference venues, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces are all closely connected, making it easy to stay immersed throughout the event.

What should I prioritize if I’m attending for the first time?

Start broad.

Attend a keynote. Join a workshop. Walk the Product Showcase. Introduce yourself to someone new. IDC rewards openness. The more perspectives you encounter, the more valuable the experience becomes.

Will there be opportunities for students and emerging designers?

Absolutely.

Portfolio reviews, exhibitions, workshops, and the Student Merit Awards create multiple ways for emerging designers to share work, receive feedback, and connect with professionals across the field.

What does registration include?

Registration includes access to sessions, workshops, exhibits, Product Showcase programming, networking breaks, breakfasts, lunches, and the Welcome Party. Open Design Day is also open to the public.

When will the agenda be available?

A schedule-at-a-glance and additional programming details will be released soon.

The full experience is designed to give attendees flexibility, making space for planned sessions and unexpected conversations alike.

Will there be an event app?

Yes. The official conference app will include schedules, updates, personalized agendas, and event information. It’s the easiest way to navigate the conference and make the most of your time onsite. It will be shared with attendees a few weeks before the conference.

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting?

Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available.

For more information, contact Susie Prue.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes. Pasadena Convention Center is ADA compliant and provides accessible parking, ADA restrooms, and service animal accommodations.

Accessibility information: Pasadena Convention Center Accessibility Information

When is the IDEA Gala?

The IDEA Ceremony and Gala takes place Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Ambassador Auditorium. Separate ticket purchase is required.

Do I need to be an IDSA member for member pricing?

Yes. Active Industrial Designers Society of America membership is required to access member registration rates.

Are group discounts available?

Yes. Groups of five or more from the same organization or institution receive a 5% registration discount.Please reach out to conferences@idsa.org for additional information.

I'm traveling internationally. Can I request a visa letter or invitation letter?

If you are not a U.S. citizen and plan on attending 2026 IDC, you may be required to obtain a temporary visitor visa, unless you qualify for admission without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

Though we are unable to assist directly with your application, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs provides a variety of resources for international visitors. To see what kind of visa you will need to acquire ahead of traveling, and to verify if you're eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, please use the Visa Wizard Tool available on their website.

To find your nearest Embassy or Consulate, you may visit Official List of embassies from the U.S. Department of State.

To begin your visa application, please visit the U.S. Department of State Consular Electronic Application Center. We advise beginning this process as early as possible. An FAQ is also available for the application process, which you can access by visiting the U.S. Department of State's DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions page.

Invitation Letter Request Form
If you need a letter of invitation from IDSA in order to attend the 2026 IDC and Education Symposium, you can submit your request to conferences@idsa.org. If eligible, you will receive your letter via email within 7-10 business days.