August 7, 2025
Event Recap
The Screening Room: A Cult Classic Night Out for IIDA NorCal Members
Alamo Drafthouse, San Francisco
On August 6, 2025, IIDA Northern California members traded design boards for popcorn buckets at The Screening Room — a one-night-only movie experience at San Francisco’s iconic Alamo Drafthouse. Hosted by the Membership Committee, this exclusive event was part cinema, part celebration, and entirely about community.
Inside the private theater, the atmosphere was pure joy — laughter, shared snacks, and the buzz of designers enjoying a well-earned night off. Guests settled in for table-side dinner and drinks, Alamo-style, as the campy cult classic Death Becomes Her lit up the screen. With Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis delivering all the drama and glamour, the energy in the room matched the film’s technicolor flair.
Before the feature began, IIDA NorCal President Corinda Wong, along with Membership VP Cat Peterson and Assistant VP Kim Clauss, welcomed attendees and shared a heartfelt thank-you to members for their continued engagement and support. The event, inspired by a simple idea — to gather our community for something casual, creative, and just plain fun — absolutely delivered.
In the weeks leading up to the event, members voted on the movie theme and final selection, creating a sense of anticipation and ownership. The result? A full house of designers laughing, gasping, and quoting iconic lines in unison — proof that great design and great drama share a few things in common: timing, creativity, and style.
“The IIDA Members Only event at Alamo Drafthouse was the perfect mix of design inspiration, community, and fun — a great reminder of the value of our IIDA network,” shared Cat Peterson, reflecting on the night’s success. Her sentiments were echoed by Kim Clauss, who added that “seeing our design community come together at a one-of-a-kind venue to connect and simply enjoy each other’s company was a beautiful reminder of why these gatherings matter so much.”
From the opening scene to the final credits, the mood remained light and lively. Between bites of popcorn and bursts of laughter, attendees reconnected with familiar faces and met new ones. Even after the lights came up, conversations carried on — a testament to the warmth and camaraderie of the IIDA NorCal community.
The Alamo Drafthouse — a restored Mission District gem — proved to be the perfect setting for the evening. Its vintage charm, cinematic ambiance, and attention to detail created an environment that design enthusiasts could truly appreciate. And while attendance was more intimate than expected, that only meant more food, more drinks, and more laughs for everyone.
The Membership Committee is already looking ahead, with plans to make The Screening Room a recurring member event — perhaps even biannual. After all, every great classic deserves a sequel.
Stay tuned for the next IIDA NorCal members-only experience — and if you’re not yet a member, now’s the perfect time to join the cast!
