Start planning to Catch Up on CEUs at the MDE 2025!
This year looks a little different as we are offering two CEU streams throughout the day (think choose your own adventure!). We are also very excited to add a keynote speaker at the end of the work day - you won’t want to miss it - so be sure to sign up!
CEU OPTIONS - 2025:
FULL DAY SESSION - includes Continental Breakfast, a.m. & p.m. Coffee/Snack Break, Lunch, 6 CEUs (including the Keynote Guest Speaker).
A.M. SESSION - includes Continental Breakfast, a.m. Coffee/Snack Break, and 3 CEUs (Lunch & Keynote ARE NOT included with A.M. Session).
P.M. SESSION - includes p.m. Coffee/Snack Break and 3 CEUs (Keynote IS included in p.m. session).
Henwood Guest Lecture Keynote Speaker - are you interested in attending only the Keynote? We have purchase option for that as well!
Have any questions? Reach out to our Continuing Education Councilors here: education@pidim.ca
Detailed CEU Descriptions:
AM SESSIONS - 8:30 to 9:30 - Option: 1A or 1B
OPTION 1A - A.M. Sessions - 8:30 to 9:30
IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit
PRESENTER: Stacey Pediny, DID, WELL APTM, Territory Sales Manager, Teknion
Stacey has an education in Interior Design and over 30 years in the interior projects and renovation industry; in both the residential and contract sectors. Since joining Teknion in 2012; she has become a Certified CEU provider, WELL APTM, and BIFMA Faculty Designated Presenter - supporting both clients and the A&D community with education around workplace trends, strategy, and sustainability With a background in Interior Design and curious by nature, Stacey believes design is a process of discovery. Every project should be approached with that sense of curiosity, using the creative process to problem solve and find effective solutions.
COURSE: Lick the Frog! And other creative thinking techniques……
Creativity is inspired when there is a problem to solve. The first time we encounter a problem we craft a solution and try, if that works, we don’t usually explore other options. What if there are more solutions, better ones? Pushing the boundaries and utilizing Creative Thinking methods is a way to develop novel or unorthodox solutions that do not depend wholly on past or current solutions. Although some people might seem more “creative” than others, thinking creatively is a skill that all of us can develop and improved using various techniques and practices.
OPTION 1B - A.M. Sessions - 8:30 to 9:30
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit
PRESENTER: Peter Bernatsky, President of PSB Integration Inc.
Previously operating as Advance Pro has been in the low voltage integration industry for nearly 30 years. Peter also serves as the Vice Chair of the Winnipeg Construction Association. Peter and his company have accumulated several decades of experience working with industry professionals, contractors, designers, consultants and end users developing integrated audio visual, communications, security and building automation solutions. The increased complexity of these systems and their incorporation into modern interior design, emphasizes the need for master systems integrators.
COURSE: The Role of the Master Technology Integrator for Interior Design
Modern building designs, renovations and construction without any exception demand the incorporation of various networked micro-processed systems to deliver the desired end-user experience for the space(s) in question. This presentation will review the importance of involving a master integrator AKA: Experience Architect early in the design development process, who has the knowledge to interpret the owner’s vision and recommend, design and understand the interoperability of multiple networked systems in a typical modern interior building space. The “experience architect” is also responsible to liaise with multiple professional disciplines to ensure technology decisions align with interior design criteria, architectural considerations, as well structural, mechanical, electrical and IT requirements. The presentation will review a sampling of integrated technology systems including but not limited to: sound masking, acoustic considerations, audio-visual, lighting, digital messaging, as well as integration of these systems using a unified control interface. The presentation will conclude with how modern integrated systems lay the ground work for the use of AI in modern building design.
AM SESSIONS - 9:45 to 10:45 - Option: 2A or 2B
AM Sessions - 9:45 to 10:45 - Option 2A
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit
PRESENTER: Kasia Robinson is the National GIS Program Manager for AWMAC, bringing over 20 years of experience as a commercial architectural woodwork business owner. She now leads National GIS initiatives, inspector development, and continuous program improvement within AWMAC. With a deep understanding of shop-floor realities and NAAWS compliance, Kasia partners with stakeholders across Canada to ensure specification accuracy, project quality, and lasting value in architectural woodwork.
COURSE: Spec it Right: The Critical Role of Accurate Woodwork Specifications
Audience: Spec Writers, Architects, General Contractors
Focus: Importance and impact of precise woodwork specs
Highlights:
● How vague specs lead to costly errors and rework.
● Aligning specs with design intent and budget.
● How NAAWS and GIS protect your vision
AM Sessions - 9:45 to 10:45 - Option 2B
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: Ron Bataller is an architectural lighting designer at heart, with a foundation in architecture, programming, and project management. As the lead for specification projects at Integra Agency, he has shaped lighting solutions across healthcare, commercial, sports, recreation, and seniors’ living environments. A LEED AP (BD+C), Lighting Certified professional, and member of RAIC, AIA, and IALD, Ron combines technical expertise with creative vision to deliver lighting that is functional, sustainable, and inspiring.
COURSE: Lighting Colour Metrics
A brief discussion in today’s Lighting spec world, colour quality matters more than ever. CRI (Colour Rendering Index) has long been the standard for evaluating how accurately a light source renders colour, but it has notable limitations. TM-30, developed by the IES, is a more advanced method that analyzes a wider range of colour samples and provides key measures of fidelity. The result is a richer, more accurate understanding of colour quality, enabling designers to make better choices for visual comfort and aesthetics.
AM SESSIONS - 11:00 to 12:00 - Option: 3A or 3B
AM Sessions - 11:00 to 12:00 - Option 3A
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: Nicole Bent is an experienced designer and entrepreneur with a career rooted in creativity, visual storytelling, and a deep connection to plants and nature. After earning her Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba in 1999, Nicole launched her career as a photography stylist with EQ3, lending her eye for composition and aesthetics to the brand’s marketing team.
She then joined her family’s business, Shelmerdine Garden Center, where she played a multifaceted leadership role as buyer, visual display manager, and marketing manager. Nicole became an owner of Shelmerdine in 2011, guiding the company’s growth and brand
presence for over a decade. In January 2025, Nicole transitioned from Shelmerdine to fully devote her energy to Arboria, a Winnipeg-based interior plant care firm she owns and designs for. Arboria specializes in corporate live plant care, moss art installations, living walls, and immersive botanical design, reflecting Nicole’s passion for biophilic environments and all things green.
COURSE: The Importance of Plants in Interior Design and How to Incorporate Live Plants into Interiors
This session will explore the aesthetic, functional, and psychological benefits of integrating greenery into indoor spaces. From enhancing visual appeal and improving air quality to creating calming environments, we’ll uncover why plants are essential elements in interior design. Students will also gain practical insights into selecting the right plant species, placement strategies, and maintaining healthy indoor greenery focusing on corporate and commercial spaces.
AM Sessions - 11:00 to 12:00 - Option 3B
IDCEC CEU 121139 - 1.0 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: Tanya Stembridge, Cambria
COURSE: Color’s Impact on Mind and Body in Interior Environments
Purpose: The colors that surround us every day play an important role in our emotions and behavior when we engage with a specific finish material or environment. This course provides an overview of how the human eye sees color; the effect it can have on our moods, behavior, and physiology; and lastly, how it can be used as a powerful tool to send messages about spaces or products to consumers.
PM SESSIONS - 12:45 to 1:45 - Option: 4A or 4B
PM Sessions - 12:45 to 1:45 - Option 4A
IDCEC CEU 122334 - 1.0 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: Joshua Bancic, Business Development Manager, HumanScale
Josh is a Registered Kinesiologist with Humanscale Consulting, bringing over 16 years of expertise in workplace wellness and ergonomic program development. As a Business Development Manager, Josh partners with organizations to implement enterprise-wide ergonomic solutions that enhance employee well-being and productivity. He specializes in helping companies navigate the evolving challenges of hybrid work environments, including unassigned seating and hoteling, ensuring ergonomic strategies are scalable, inclusive, and future-ready.
COURSE: Designing Healthy Work Environments
This seminar provides an overview of common musculoskeletal problems facing today’s computer users while discussing key research developments in areas of seating, input devices design, sit/stand products, display technology, and lighting. Attendees learn how ergonomic principles are being applied to the design of computer workstations to reduce employee discomfort and risk of injury while lowering employer costs.
PM Sessions - 12:45 to 1:45 - Option 4B
IDCEC CEU SC0891 - 1.0 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: Nick Bland, Steelcase
Nick Bland is a seasoned business development leader with over a decade of experience in the commercial furniture and ergonomic solutions industry. As a Business Development Manager at Steelcase, Nick partners with organizations to design workplace environments that not only support productivity but also inspire employees to want to work from the office. His approach blends strategic account development with a deep understanding of how space impacts culture, collaboration, and well-being. He is passionate about helping clients create workspaces that people genuinely enjoy, spaces that foster engagement, comfort, and a sense of purpose. Nick is based in Calgary and spends his free time exploring the mountains (weather permitting) and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
COURSE: Inclusive Design 101
Inclusive Design is the process of using participatory methods to inform design, enabling designers and architects to create new ways for traditionally excluded communities to engage in activities of their choice. The practice of Inclusive Design is critical to the success of any design practice as it enables designers and architects to create spaces and products that are compelling and inclusive for all.
In this CEU course, participants will delve into the principles and practices of inclusive design, including understanding the needs of diverse stakeholder groups, incorporating equitable design best practices, and leveraging different lived experiences and perspectives as a source of inspiration, innovation and creativity. Learners will explore real-world case studies to better understand the impact of inclusive design on building and product design. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to apply inclusive design principles to their own work and make design accessible and inclusive for everyone.
PM SESSIONS - 2:00 to 3:00 - Option: 5A or 5B
PM Sessions - 2:00 to 3:00 Option 5A
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1.0 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: William VanderBurgh, Business Development Manager, Dobbin Sales Limited
COURSE: Considerations for Accessible and Inclusive Design in Commercial Washrooms
As we move into a more hygiene-focused world, restroom visitors will expect clean, updated spaces that feel welcoming and safe. At the same time, barrier-free, accessible, and inclusive design is putting a greater emphasis on optimizing the planning of commercial restrooms so that they are safe, comfortable, and easy for all occupants to use. This course will discuss accessible and inclusive design considerations in commercial restrooms, including background on accessible design, plumbing innovations that enable accessibility compliance and inclusive design, and options for retrofitting existing restrooms for accessibility
Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze the history of accessible and inclusive design, including the evolution of design awareness in the commercial washroom space.
2. Evaluate the implications of Canadian accessibility legislation on commercial washroom design and plumbing product specification.
3. Explore innovations that enable ADA compliance and inclusive design in commercial restrooms.
4. Discuss simple ways to retrofit existing restrooms for ADA compliance and inclusive design.
PM Sessions - 2:00 to 3:00 Option 5B
IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit (HSW)
PRESENTER: | Shamanna Kelamangalam, Director of Architectural Sales and Technical Support, Holten Impex International
Shamanna Kelamangalam is a results-driven professional with 21 years of expertise in the application of ceramic and porcelain tiles for commercial projects. He specializes in solution-based selling and possesses strong technical knowledge of premium, luxury, and value-added products and services. Shamanna has collaborated with major architectural firms across Canada on award-winning and landmark sustainability projects.
His in-depth understanding of sustainability has enabled him to navigate challenges in specifying products for LEED-certified projects. By aligning the technical strengths of ceramic tiles with LEED requirements, he has successfully contributed to major sustainable developments.
A graduate in Life Sciences and a WELL Accredited Professional, Shamanna focuses on health and wellness in building design. He has been a Certified technical Representative (CTR) since 2021.
Shamanna is a part-time faculty member at George Brown College. He teaches Specification and Documentation Courses to interior design students and construction industry professionals through the CSC Toronto Chapter.
COURSE: Sustainability and The Future of Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles, vital in modern construction, are becoming greener. While past production was polluting, manufacturers now prioritize sustainability. This presentation highlights their efforts in adopting eco-friendly practices, detailing how current sustainable tile production meets stringent environmental standards.
HENWOOD GUEST LECTURE KEYNOTE SPEAKER - 3:15 TO 4:15
TOPIC: Neuroinclusive Design
Non-IDCEC CEU - 1 Credit (HSW)
GUEST SPEAKER: Kati Peditto, PhD, EDAC, WELL
As a woman with autism and ADHD, I bring a unique perspective to the world of design psychology. Holding a PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University, my journey has been both personal and professional. My role at one of the world’s leading architecture firms allows me to delve deeply into the intricate dynamics of human-environment interactions, with a special focus on creating spaces that cater to neurodiversity and mental well-being. My work is more than a profession; it’s a passion for understanding and designing environments that embrace and empower all minds, including those like my own.
Kati is a design research and speaker specializing in neuroinclusive design. Kati translates evidence into practical strategies for designers, HR Professionals, and clinicians to create spaces that support neurodivergent individuals. Drawing from her own experiences she is widely recognized for her expertise in design for mental health and neurodivergence, including features in the BBC, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post.
