WI This year's Iron Merchant Challenge featured a Mardi Gras/Halloween theme, with the "secret ingredient" being live models. The Purple Team took home the winning sashes. 36 NOVEMBER 2017 | VMSD.COM NN G IN TE AM ! mortar location; and the Purple Team, helmed by IRDC presenter and The Ohio State University Assistant Professor of Interior Design Rebekah Matheny, now holds the winning title for 2017's Mardi Gras/Halloweenthemed Iron Merchant Challenge. During the self-guided NOLA Inspiration Tours, attendees were challenged with snapping photos of their surrounds and posting them on social media using #irdc2017; the lucky winner would receive a free registration to IRDC 2018. VMSD staff members selected Cathy Clark of CallisonRTKL for her artsy 'gram of a greenery-covered building. To cap off the conference in grand fashion, this year's closing party took place at the magnificent and historic Latrobe's on Royal. Next year, IRDC fills up its travel coffee mug and heads west to Seattle, Oct. 2-4, at the Motif Hotel. For more information on IRDC 2018, visit irdconline.com or look for the hashtag #irdc2018 on social media. http://www.irdconline.com http://www.VMSD.COM