NEWH - Summer 2013 - (Page 24)

Q&A One-on-one with Mary Ann Thornam, NEWH’s director of continuing education, and program coordinator, interior design, at the Art Institute of Colorado Why did you want to become involved in NEWH? What are you seeing from students that excites you? What has it done for you? Why design? What do you love about the industry? I attended an NEWH gala in Los Angeles and met some incredible women, including Shelia Lohmiller, representing all segments of the hospitality industry. The fundraising for scholarship coupled with the networking obviously, then and now, meets the need for a professional organization encompassing design to supplier. Subsequently I was one of the four founding members of the Rocky Mountain chapter. NEWH has offered exposure to outstanding professionals representing every aspect of hospitality, product knowledge, design, education, and future trends. What are some of the major initiatives you have planned as director of continuing education this year? The most important goal for 2013 is establishing NEWH as an accrediting body. Th is proposal will allow NEWH to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) not only to NEWH members in design and purchasing, but also other professions including architecture, engineering, and construction. Once the process is established the content can be evaluated, reviewed, and continually improved to make certain NEWH is providing quality continuing education programs, on ground and online. A huge mandate but one that ultimately allows NEWH to further impact a very important segment of the industry. The exciting part of NEWH has been not only to establish an industry presence but also becoming a driving force in Leadership Conferences, Regional Tradeshows, scholarship, and sustainability. Th is widespread exposure will provide the qualification for and meet the criteria of an accrediting body. What’s new and exciting at the Art Institute of Colorado? We are in the process of evaluating the interior design curriculum to make certain it addresses what is happening in the industry. Technology continues to develop and change at breakneck speed and we all know the importance of sustainability. Approaching design globally can drive the agenda for not only a sustainable future but also a safe one. Angela Poovey, a student at the Art Institute of Colorado, was presented with a $3,000 scholarship from NEWH. 24 www.newh.org We are seeing a generation of students that possess the creativity, intelligence, and energy to take design to new standards. They are using materials in an unexpected and fresh way, paying more attention to the 3D, thriving on the benefits of new technology, and connecting globally. All of this while adapting spacing to the future generations which will dominate our population—those Baby Boomers!! Design offers the potential for creativity, it is holistic, technical, one must employ critical thinking—you can see that in these few words the process is constantly changing depending on the project. The industry itself offers constantly changing product design and innovation. It is exciting, always changing and most important continually challenging. What more could you ask for? What influencers are you paying attention to? Most importantly the economy—the effects are all encompassing. Locally new housing starts are up by 40 percent in less than a year and once that starts here it begins to climb to hotel development—three proposed new hotels in the last week. That affects the need for designers and in turn a direct effect on education, both from a continuing standpoint and the new student entering the job market. What’s new and exciting in your hometown? Denver is slowly becoming competitive with other major cities in bringing major art exhibits, theater, and music here—which is long awaited. DAM hosted Van Gogh this past year and we look forward to Passport to Paris which will bring Monet, Degas, Pissarro, and more. When you are not working or at an NEWH event, where can we find you? Grand Lake—either reading or walking! ❙❘❚ http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Summer 2013

NEWH - Summer 2013
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Conference Roundup
Q&A: Lynn Fisher
Q&A: Mary Ann Thornam
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
NYLO Dallas South Side
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Pro
Ad Index

NEWH - Summer 2013