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Great Place to Work® Announces the World’s Best Workplaces™ 2021

Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® and Fortune today announced the Fortune World’s Best Workplaces™ 2021, a massive, data-led analysis of company culture around the globe. These 25 global leaders were selected from 10,000 companies, representing the voices of 19.8 million employees in 106 countries. This is the largest annual global survey of employee opinions ever. The 25 World’s Best Workplaces stood out for creating globally exceptional employee experiences. These companies outperformed the competition with their unique and special benefits, robust training opportunities for professional development, and commitment to employee recognition and appreciation. To be considered, companies must be identified as outstanding global employers by appearing on at least five Best Workplaces™ lists in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, North America or Australia. “The World’s Best Workplaces are the most sweeping and consistent examples of inclusive company cultures we’ve ever known,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. “In a global workforce, alignment is everything, and these companies are fortifying their culture around the world — a nearly impossible feat. Even when tested by the pandemic, these companies recognize sub-communities in each region and their leaders carry an equitable employee experience across cultures. A huge congratulations to the World’s Best in 2021.” Topping this year’s ranking of the World’s Best was transportation and logistics giant DHL Express, which secured 47 national list awards spanning five continents. Technology firm Cisco ranked second on the 2021 list with 22 national list awards, and hotelier Hilton placed third with 21 national list awards. The World’s Best Workplaces range across industries, with information technology, professional services, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals making up nearly half of the winners. New to the list this year are biotech firm Amgen and software company Atlassian. There are ten re-entries in the top 25 companies — workplaces that appeared on past lists but didn’t make it in 2020, including pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which was last named to the list in 2015. This year proved to be enormously competitive; compared to 2020’s results, employees scored their workplaces higher on all 60 survey statements in 2021 — a notable achievement after a year of workplace challenges amid the pandemic. Compared to other workplaces, employees at the World’s Best are 17% more likely to say they have unique benefits. Employees at the World's Best are also 16% percent are more likely to believe pay is fair and 14% more likely to say they have training and professional development opportunities. Employees at the World’s Best are also more likely to be involved in company innovation, as calculated through Great Place to Work's Innovation Velocity Ration (IVR). IVR describes an organization’s ability to quickly harness, mobilize and respond to new information and ideas. IVR is the ratio of employees working in conditions which enable innovation versus the number of employees who are not. At the World’s Best Workplaces, the IVR is 7.2, meaning for every seven employees able to innovate, only two are experiencing friction. At other organizations, that drops to 5.2. Globally, over 90% of employees at the World’s Best say they have a sense of pride in their work, that management is honest and ethical, and that they feel good about the ways the company contributes to the local community. Slight regional variations could be seen, highlighting differences in company culture around the world. In Asia, the Best Workplaces demonstrated an outstanding commitment to honesty and transparency from management, as well as warm, welcoming work environments. Latin America’s Best Workplaces scored high on opportunities for professional development and trust in leadership. And in the U.S., employees at Best Workplaces versus other organizations were 15.6 times more likely to say their company was a great place to work when it showed a commitment to social responsibility during the pandemic. The top 25 World’s Best Workplaces in 2021: DHL Express Cisco Hilton AbbVie Salesforce 3M SC Johnson Amgen SAP Roche Hilti AG EY SAS AT&T Direct TV Stryker Novartis Cadence Novo Nordisk The Adecco Group Mercado Libre Adobe American Express Atlassian Santander Teleperformance View the Fortune World’s Best Workplaces 2021 list. About the World’s Best Workplaces methodology: Great Place to Work identified the World’s Best Workplaces in 2021 by analyzing surveys representing 19.8 million employee opinions worldwide. We also consider the breadth and impact of company workplace programs. Organizations are assessed on their efforts to create great workplaces and positively impact people and communities across multiple countries around the world. The World’s Best Workplaces have demonstrated their success in creating great workplaces and their impact on their people and communities by ranking on national lists around the world. To be considered, companies must be identified as outstanding global employers by appearing on at least five Best Workplaces lists in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, North America, or Australia during 2020 or early 2021. Companies must have at least 5,000 employees worldwide with at least 40% (or 5,000) of those employees located outside the headquarters country. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees around the world and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Great Place to Work helps organizations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. Their unparalleled benchmark data is used to recognize Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces in the U.S. and more than 60 countries, including the 100 Best Companies to Work For® and World’s Best list published annually in Fortune. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™. To learn more, visit greatplacetowork.com, listen to the podcast Better by Great Place to Work, and read “ A Great Place to Work For All.” Join the community on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Contact Details Kim Peters +1 415-844-2574 kpeters@greatplacetowork.com

October 19, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Global Energy Leader Chevron Shipping joins NAMEPA, Demonstrating its Dedication to Save Our Seas.

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that Chevron Shipping has joined NAMEPA as its newest corporate member. NAMEPA is proud to be partnering with Chevron Shipping in making strides to Save Our Seas and towards a cleaner future. “We are delighted that our discussions with Chevron Shipping have resulted in their decision to join NAMEPA’s efforts towards sustainability,” stated Ms. Walker. NAMEPA’s mission of preserving the marine environment and promoting sustainable marine industry best practices is aligned with Chevron Shipping’s goals. “Protecting people and the environment has always been a core value of Chevron Shipping. We are pleased to join NAMEPA and its likeminded members striving for a safer, ever-cleaner environment and marine industry,” said Mark Ross, President of Chevron Shipping. NAMEPA proudly welcomes Chevron Shipping to its global and diverse network of individuals and companies in a new partnership that will help progress towards a greener future. About Chevron Shipping: Chevron Shipping Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (NYSE: CVX). Chevron’s fleet has provided a vital link between our operations and the marketplace for more than 125 years. Today, Chevron Shipping Company is an industry leader in safely and reliably transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined products that power the world. Learn more. The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-255-4686 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

October 13, 2021 10:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Provana Welcomes Chief Revenue Officer

Provana

Provana, the leading provider of business and technology platforms for the credit and collections industry, today announced it has named Mike Keister as Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. As CRO, Mike will oversee the company’s sales and business development strategy and execution, with a focus on customer success. “Mike has a proven track record of building sales organizations to support both enterprise and SMB market segments,” said Sandeep Bhargava, Provana’s Co-Founder and CEO. “His authentic leadership style, drive for continuous improvement and passion for helping clients derive full value from their investment make him an excellent fit to lead our team.” Mike joins Provana from Zapproved, a legal tech company. With nearly 20 years of sales leadership experience in SaaS solutions, Mike excels at scaling sales organizations to support rapid growth. He is passionate about combining this approach with a keen attention to customer success and delivering on client expectations. “I’m thrilled to join the company at this critical time in the ARM industry, when many firms are in need of a partner in digital transformation and compliance,” said Mike. “With our long history of supporting clients throughout the entire lifecycle of accounts receivable management, Provana is uniquely positioned to deliver value that supports the latest industry standards and staffing challenges.” Based on the West Coast in Portland, Oregon, Mike enjoys hiking, golfing and attending his daughters’ sporting events. About Provana Provana is a SaaS platform that gives leaders control over process-intensive operations. We serve law firms, insurance companies, accounts receivable agencies and networked enterprises in the US market that are tightly regulated by the CFPB and other authorities. Provana is built on decades of experience in machine learning and natural language processing and helps customers manage sensitive interactions, analyze unstructured data, process personal information and ensure compliance. Provana is backed by a NYC-based Fintech PE, most recently raising funds in November 2020. Learn more at www.provana.com. Contact Details Britney Schaeffer +1 469-774-2409 britney.schaeffer@provana.com Company Website https://www.provana.com/

October 12, 2021 07:08 AM Central Daylight Time

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Harrods enters the limited-edition sneaker market welcoming The Edit LDN

Stockwood Strategy

The UK’s leading online store for limited edition sneakers and high-end streetwear The Edit LDN, today announced the opening of its first ever UK boutique store in Harrods, one of London’s most famous department stores. Harrods visitors will be able to see, experience and buy the latest limited-edition sneakers from The Edit LDN. Already popular with royalty, celebrities and footballers, The Edit LDN is a leading online destination that sells the hottest and hardest to get sneakers and streetwear from brands including Yeezy, Jordan, Off-White and collaborations through to Supreme, among others to a wide community of fashionistas, collectors and investors. Just as premium sites like Farfetch address the fashion world, The Edit LDN showcases the latest sneakers and high-end streetwear. They connect premium resellers with a highly engaged, price agnostic and eager audience. Moses Rashid, Founder and CEO of The Edit LDN commented: “We want to expand and increase accessibility for people who want to own limited edition sneakers around the world. Being the first sneaker reseller in Harrods is a proud and milestone moment for the company and its great to see such a global mega brand engaging with the sneaker market, moreover, that we're the catalyst to make that happen. Harrods offers an amazing customer journey to their global customer base and this aligns completely with our approach, to offer the best in class service. In 18 months, we have expanded our community of buyers from avid sneaker fans to TV and film celebrities as well as professional footballers and royal families around the world. Opening in Harrods is a logical next step as we bring our unique proposition to their customer base”. The Edit LDN has established itself as a trusted source of authenticated and high quality new and pre-loved streetwear and sneakers. Their unabating focus on speed (to deliver purchased goods), customer service engagement and ensuring all goods are authenticated has been testament to the growth of the platform and community. Simon Longland, Head of Menswear at Harrods commented: “Over the past three years, menswear at Harrods has undertaken a huge transformation, that has been visible through our brand curation as well as the physical shop floor. Our goal has been to transform the menswear experience at Harrods and embrace the most important and desirable trends on the market, and the launch of The Edit LDN continues that strategy. Bringing The Edit LDN’s industry expertise to Harrods ensures that our customers have access to the latest and most exclusive styles on the market through a service level which is unmistakably Harrods.” Helen David, Chief Merchant at Kurt Geiger added: “We’ve been at the forefront of embracing the latest trends serving a wide and diverse range of customers. What used to be considered sportswear is now considered luxury, and the shoes that are the most wanted and the hottest tickets are now sneakers. Without this as part of our matrix at Harrods, we wouldn’t have a proper 360 luxury offer. Hosting The Edit LDN at Harrods is testament to our commitment of meeting our customer needs with the market-leader in the premium sneaker business. Our shared objective with The Edit LDN is to ensure that Harrods’ customers have access to the latest and best on the market to meet their lifestyle needs.” Looking ahead, Moses said: “This is a marketplace worth $6b a year globally and will grow 5x by 2030. The demand for sneakers is growing every day and we are at the heart of servicing this trend. It’s been a remarkable 18 months since we launched to now opening in Harrods, the world’s most iconic department store. We are in hyper growth and headed in the right trajectory as we scale the business globally. Our on-going funding round will enable us to move faster and achieve our goals“. About The Edit LDN Founded in 2020, The Edit LDN has quickly become the UK’s leading online consignment store for limited edition sneakers and high end streetwear, both new and pre-loved items. Their innovative platform connects premium resellers to a global audience offering a deluxe experience from discovery, packaging and delivery. Brands include Jordan, Yeezy, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Off-White, Supreme, Fear of God among others. The platform is fast becoming synonymous with speed of service, authenticity, diverse selection of secure payment methods, and first class customer service. The Edit LDN is the leading destination for resellers and their premium sneakers and streetwear. Through partnerships with styling services such as Thread.com and various concierge companies, The Edit LDN has a community of buyers celebrities to professional footballers and royal families around the world. Further information visit: www.theeditldn.com. You are welcome to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram About Harrods Harrods began as a wholesale grocer and tea merchant in east London, first opening its doors in 1834. Since then, it has grown to become the world’s most famous department store, known for its unrivalled range of luxury merchandise. As well as exclusive brands and myriad departments, one of Harrods’ most renowned attributes is its unparalleled service. Harrods continues to be guided by its philosophy of “anything is possible” and, to this day, our customers remain at the heart of everything we do. Harrods.com About Kurt Geiger Kurt Geiger is a premium footwear brand operating across the UK. It first opened its doors on Bond Street in 1963. Kurt Geiger's own brands for women, men and children include Kurt Geiger London, KG, Carvela and Miss KG. Kurt Geiger has operated the Harrods and Selfridges footwear departments for the past 25 years. This unique positioning sets Kurt Geiger apart as a distinctive and unparalleled multi-channel business selling third-party and owned brands through department store concessions. The brand has over 80 stores worldwide, kurtgeiger.com, as well as e-commerce concession sites and wholesale partners. Selling over four million pairs of shoes a year this makes Kurt Geiger the largest luxury footwear retailer in Europe. Contact Details The Edit LDN Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.theeditldn.com/

October 11, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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FeganScott Announces Two Attorneys Named 2021 New York Metro Rising Stars

FeganScott

Melissa Clark and Jonathan Lindenfeld of Fegan Scott LLC were recently named New York Metro Rising Stars on the Super Lawyers ® 2021 list. The distinction from the professional rating service is only awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys in the area. The two FeganScott attorneys lead the firm’s New York office, and each was recognized for their excellence in their respective practice areas. “It’s an honor to be named as a Rising Star in New York,” said Clark. “I’m excited to be recognized for the work we put in on high-profile, high-stakes litigation cases.” Clark has represented consumers in privacy, data breach, and consumer class actions against data and tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook; investors in securities class actions against publicly traded companies like Virgin Mobile and Ariad Pharmaceuticals; and municipalities in Fair Housing Act litigation against banks like Wells Fargo and HSBC. Lindenfeld also has an extensive record of representing victims of economic fraud, serving as an ally throughout the complex litigation process and supporting clients on federal securities litigation. Lindenfeld has litigated cases against some of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the United States, arising from their alleged anticompetitive practices. “It’s a privilege to be recognized as a Rising Star in the New York area,” said Lindenfeld. “This award recognizes my contribution to FeganScott’s advocacy for justice for consumers and the high standards we maintain for our services.” Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The recognition is based on a rigorous independent research evaluation process, which factors in verdicts, settlements, experience and professional activity. The qualifying lawyers make up a comprehensive and credible list of attorneys in each state. About FeganScott FeganScott is a national class action law firm dedicated to helping victims of civil rights violations, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and consumer fraud. The firm is championed by acclaimed veteran, class action attorneys who have successfully recovered $1 billion for victims nationwide. FeganScott is committed to pursuing successful outcomes with integrity and excellence while holding the responsible parties accountable. Contact Details Mark Firmani +1 206-466-2700 feganscottpr@firmani.com Company Website https://feganscott.com

October 01, 2021 01:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time

AFSA Welcomes Chopra Confirmation

American Financial Services Association

Today the U.S. Senate confirmed Rohit Chopra as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The following statement should be attributed to Bill Himpler, President and CEO of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), the nation’s oldest and largest national trade association singularly focused on the consumer credit industry: “Over the years, AFSA and its members have had the opportunity to work with Rohit Chopra both during his time as a Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission and his prior stint as a senior leader at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In engaging with our industry, Mr. Chopra has always been gracious with his time and in considering the views of the consumer credit industry. We congratulate Mr. Chopra on his CFPB Senate confirmation and look forward to working constructively with him on pro-consumer policies that ensure access to credit.” About AFSA Based in Washington, D.C., the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) is the national trade association for consumer credit, committed to protecting access to credit and consumer choice. Its 450 members include traditional installment lenders, vehicle finance companies, consumer and commercial finance companies, mortgage lenders and servicers, payment card issuers, industrial banks, and industry suppliers. For more information, visit www.afsaonline.org. Contact Details Dan Bucherer +1 301-503-6061 dbucherer@afsamail.org Ed McFadden +1 703-402-5036 emcfadden@afsamail.org Company Website https://www.afsaonline.org

September 30, 2021 04:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Trust & Will Receives SOC 2 Compliance Attestation Report

Trust & Will

Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S, is proud to announce that it has received a clean SOC 2 Type I attestation report. To date, Trust & Will is the only online estate planning company to carry SOC 2 certification. The attestation report affirms that Trust & Will’s information security practices, policies, procedures, and operations meet the rigorous SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria for security. Trust & Will is now the only digital estate planning company to carry SOC 2 compliance. Obtaining SOC 2 ensures the highest standards for customer data and security. This independent assessment of internal security controls validates its dedication and adherence to the highest standards for security, confidentiality, and availability. Developed by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 is an extensive auditing procedure that ensures a company is handling customer data securely and in a manner that protects the organization as well as the privacy of its customers. SOC 2 is designed specifically for service providers storing customer data in the cloud. “We are delighted to receive a clean SOC 2 Type I attestation report as it substantiates our ongoing commitment to securing our customers’ data,” said Eric Urhausen, Head of Engineering at Trust & Will. “We continuously prioritize the improvement of our security posture, which helps increase trust in our product and in the digital estate planning industry as a whole.” Trust & Will uses Drata’s automated platform to continuously monitor its internal security controls against the highest possible standards. With Drata, Trust & Will has real-time visibility across the organization to ensure the end-to-end security and compliance posture of systems. "Achieving SOC 2 Type I compliance is a significant milestone for the fast-growing Trust & Will team,” said Adam Markowitz, Co-Founder and CEO of Drata. “Paired with Drata's continuous automated monitoring of its controls, Trust & Will further elevates its security posture and sets the stage for its ongoing compliance journey. We applaud the company's approach and leadership, and truly value our partnership." ABOUT TRUST & WILL Trust & Will is a modern approach to digital estate planning, offering legally valid documents designed and approved by estate planning attorneys to adhere to individual state guidelines. Our mission is to provide families with a better way to plan for the future. Since 2017, more than 250,000 Trust & Will members have created an online estate plan to set up their family legacy. We make estate planning simple, affordable, and accessible by providing a secure way to set up a plan online in minutes, using bank-level encryption that protects customer data and complies with the highest security standards, including SOC2. Trust & Will is the official estate planning benefit provider for AARP members and is a proud partner of several leading financial institutions, including Northwestern Mutual and Haven Life. To learn more, visit www.trustandwill.com. Contact Details Trust & Will Danielle Nuzzo +1 631-807-7772 danielle@trustandwill.com

September 29, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Agile Therapeutics Partners with Carli Lloyd, U.S. Women’s Soccer Star and Four-Time Olympian, to Bring Awareness to Women’s Health Topics

Agile Therapeutics

Agile Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGRX ), a women's healthcare company, announced today a partnership with U.S. Women’s Soccer legend, Carli Lloyd. The partnership with Agile will focus on bringing awareness to women’s health topics, and Agile’s commitment to elevating women’s healthcare. Lloyd, who will play her final game for the U.S. Women’s National Team on October 26 th against South Korea, was attracted to the company’s mission of addressing the healthcare needs of today’s women. “I’m excited to be partnering with a company solely dedicated to women’s health,” said Lloyd. “I aim to work with organizations that focus on things I care about, and staying healthy has been a priority for my career on the field and will continue to be so as I look ahead to my next chapter. Agile’s focus on bringing women options and knowledge when it comes to their healthcare decisions is a mission I’m proud to be part of. And the fact that I’m a Jersey girl, representing a New Jersey company makes it even better.” Agile has built its brand around a commitment to addressing women’s health needs. It received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2020 for its first product, Twirla ® (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system, a weekly contraceptive patch. It currently has four additional contraceptive products in its pipeline. “Carli’s ‘ always believe and never quit ’ attitude fits what Agile Therapeutics believes as a company,” said Al Altomari, CEO of Agile Therapeutics. “We’ve been selective about aligning with the right partners at the right time, and Carli is someone who seamlessly fits our corporate culture, aligns with our values, and understands the importance of empowering women, especially young women, to reach beyond their limits, believe in themselves, and never compromise, especially with their healthcare.” As a growing company, Agile sees this partnership as an opportunity to help further develop its culture and corporate brand by partnering with leaders who share the company’s values and mission.. “Our short-term goal is to establish Twirla in the contraceptive market, and our long-term mission remains the same: Build a robust women’s health franchise, and Carli is a critical piece of that puzzle,” said Altomari. “She’s been a vocal advocate for women, and her voice is an important one in the national conversation about women’s health and healthcare needs. We want to be sure we communicate our message and commitment to women’s health in an authentic and relatable way. This is a mission we share with Carli, and we are proud to welcome her to our team.” About Agile Therapeutics, Inc. Agile Therapeutics is a women's healthcare company dedicated to fulfilling the unmet health needs of today’s women. Our product and product candidates are designed to provide women with contraceptive options that offer freedom from taking a daily pill, without committing to a longer-acting method. Our initial product, Twirla®, (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol), a transdermal system, is a non-daily prescription contraceptive. Twirla is based on our proprietary transdermal patch technology, called Skinfusion®, which is designed to allow drug delivery through the skin. For more information, please visit the company website at www.agiletherapeutics.com. The Company may occasionally disseminate material, nonpublic information on the Company’s website. About Twirla® Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system is a once-weekly combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) patch that contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel (LNG), a type of progestin, and ethinyl estradiol (EE), a type of estrogen. Twirla is indicated for use as a method of contraception by women of reproductive potential with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 for whom a combined hormonal contraceptive is appropriate. Healthcare providers (HCPs) are encouraged to consider Twirla’s reduced efficacy in women with a BMI ≥ 25 to <30 kg/m2 before prescribing. Twirla is contraindicated in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Twirla is contraindicated in women over 35 years old who smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from CHC use. Twirla is designed to be applied once weekly for three weeks, followed by a week without a patch. Contact Details Matt Riley, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications mriley@agiletherapeutics.com Company Website https://agiletherapeutics.com

September 28, 2021 02:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time

IIDA Commercial Interior Design Association Calls on California Legislators to Update Work Regulations to Reflect Critical Role of Those Who Ensure Safety and Efficacy of Public Spaces

IIDA

Did you know that California is the only state utilizing a private board to oversee interior design regulation? The Northern and Southern California chapters of IIDA (the commercial international interior design association) today recommended that a state board oversee the process. That and other joint proposals are part of IIDA’s legislative slate for critical updates to the state’s regulatory process for the commercial interior design profession. In early 2022, the Business and Professions committee of the California Legislature will undertake a sunset review of the regulation of the interior design occupation as established in 1990. The legislature originally scheduled the review in 2021 but deferred it due to the exigencies of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic brought to light greater public awareness about the essential work that commercial interior designers do to ensure that public spaces are designed to support the health and well-being of the people who use and occupy them every day. Commercial interior designers conceive and create the systems and aesthetics around space usage, air quality, surfaces and access in commercial spaces that include office buildings, government buildings, entertainment venues, airports, schools and hospitals. “We know – and the pandemic has shown - that commercial interior design plays a key role in promoting the health, safety and welfare of the public. Design also has the power to heal and bring people together,” said Verda Alexander, president of IIDA Northern California. “California’s regulations and standards for the commercial design profession lag far behind those of other states. The upcoming sunset review is the ideal moment to bring California up to the industry standard.” “With respect to public health, racial equity and climate change, we are living in unprecedented times,” added Meena Krenek, president of IIDA Southern California. “Commercial interior designers use design as a tool for championing social and environmental concerns and they represent the full diversity of California. Their professional standing should be regulated on an equal basis with our architectural colleagues.” Commercial interior designers are trained to identify and apply creative and technical design solutions to the interiors of commercial buildings – from offices and hospitals to restaurants and concert halls. Their goal is to understand the human experience within these spaces, and improve how people use them, while keeping the public safe and healthy. Their work must conform to local and state building and public health codes. Commercial design professionals understand these regulations and follow through to ensure compliance. IIDA recommends the following updates to California’s professional standards: IIDA supports the continuation of a voluntary certification or registration for interior designers, including commercial interior designers who practice in the code-impacted environment. Due to the health, safety, and welfare impacts of commercial spaces, the public’s best interest is served when commercial interior design is recognized and regulated. IIDA advocates for commercial interior designers to be regulated by a state board. IIDA believes regulating the industry by a state board provides transparency and equity for interior designers and the public. The current regulation is overseen by a private board. California is the only state in the country utilizing a private board to oversee interior design regulation. IIDA submits that the qualifying exam for certified or registered commercial interior designers be the NCIDQ exam. The NCIDQ exam is the industry’s national standard, and many states require this for certification or registration. California currently requires a unique exam that is not recognized by any other state. IIDA argues for commercial interior designers’ ability to stamp & seal drawings within a defined scope and for the acceptance of that stamp to be codified in state law to ensure consistent acceptance at building departments throughout California. Currently, Certified Interior Designers do not have codified stamp and seal privileges and experience inconsistencies in various jurisdictions when submitting drawings for review across the state. IIDA recommends that “commercial interior designers” be included in California’s definition of “design professional,” which also includes architects, engineers, landscape architects and land surveyors. Without this recognition, the thousands of commercial interior designers practicing in California are legally excluded, despite their critical role working in code-impacted environments. About IIDA The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) chapters of Northern California and Southern California are not-for-profit philanthropic organizations that represent more than 1,000 commercial interior designers. These IIDA chapters support and promote the commercial interior design profession through education, knowledge sharing, best practices, advocacy and research. The work of commercial interior designers touches the health, safety and well-being of millions of people every day. For information about IIDA Northern California, please visit www.iidanc.org. For information about IIDA Southern California, please visit: https://iida-socal.org/. # # # Contact Details Christina Marcellus +1 310-963-2023 Christina@capitoladvisors.org Company Website https://iida.org/

September 28, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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