Recently the AGM was held and I am very happy to accept the position as the 2020 President of the Interior Plantscaping Association for a second term.
I would like to thank Julie Watson & Arthur Stacey who have stepped down from the board this year. Julie and Arthur have been great contributors and supporters over many years and I wish them well in their future endeavours.
Executive board members representing Interior Plantscape businesses Johan Hodgson from Ambius, Australia and Gabrielle Stannus from Inwardout Studio whose business involves Interior Plantscaping and Architecture continue to support IPA and have nominated again to be on the board. I am very grateful for their dedication and commitment, thank you Johan and Gabrielle! And of course our long-standing CEO Elaine Tunn. Elaine is a gem. I cannot imagine where our organisation would be without her.
A big welcome to the new incoming executive board members who bring a whole different skillset to IPA.
Melissa J Scott (Vice President) from Divine Creative Agency – A boutique Design and Creative Agency specialising in Branding E Commerce and Websites.
Karyn McRae and Helen Lynch (Executive board members) from McRae & Lynch Interior Design – Work with Both Residential, Commercial, Retail and Medical organisations.
Sylvia Troccoli (Executive board member) from Sylvia Troccoli Pty. Ltd. Accountant and Business Advisor.
The combination of these different skillsets will be an asset to IPA. Thankyou Melissa, Karyn, Helen and Sylvia!
As you all know these positions on the board are voluntary and as such for people to give of their time freely, particularly when they run their own businesses is a testament to the type of committed individuals they are. Please try to get to know more about them and their businesses, who knows you may even get to connect on projects of your own or need to use their services.
Other news: I am very excited to share that Behind the Scenes ‘Singapore Garden Tour’ in conjunction with Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) is well underway and looks like it will be a great success considering how quickly members have booked. It is going to be a fantastic experience! Singapore and Biophilic design go hand in hand and I know we are going to get a great insight into their designs. For those members who are unable to attend we will make sure there are plenty of photographs displayed on our social media page.
IPA have also managed to secure a position for speaker at the Greenlife Industry Australia National Conference, ‘Healthy Plants Healthy People’ in Perth. Gabrielle Stannus will represent IPA. This will raise the profile of IPA to the broader industry and provide an opportunity to network with the broader horticultural industry on a national level.
IPA will also be represented at ‘The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show’ by myself, Gabrielle Stannus and two other members of the Horticultural Media Association of Australia – Angie Thomas, Communications Manager and Senior Horticulturist from Yates Australia and Helen Young, Horticulturist and a well-known radio Broadcaster and Columnist for The Weekend Australian. This event will allow us to speak directly to the general public to raise awareness about the work that is done by IPA members, Biophilic design and the numerous benefits of plants in the workplace.
Another One of our many goals is to grow our database, please help where you can, particularly on social media. Sharing information on social media broadens our reach and we can all do our bit to raise the profile of the Interior Plantscape Association and the work done by our members
Have a great month!
Karen Smith – 2020 IPA President