NEOCON® EAST BRINGS NEW RESOURCES AND IDEAS TO THE
MID-ATLANTIC REGION CONTRACT INDUSTRY
Design inspiration and cutting-edge products to be showcased at NeoCon East
at the Baltimore Convention Center
BALTIMORE (July 11, 2005) – NeoCon® East brings the NeoCon brand of diverse resources to the Mid-Atlantic region contract industry Sept. 14-15, 2005. Building on the positive momentum from the past two years, NeoCon East is returning to the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland for its third year. The show provides attendees with inspiring solutions for the interior design, architectural and facilities management industries of the Mid-Atlantic region. It is expected to attract 6,500 interior designers, architects, facility managers, dealers, manufacturing representatives, students, federal employees and corporate executives. With more than 250 exhibitors, 185,000 square feet of exhibit space and three specific show components including: Government Interiors™, Buildings Show® and GREENlife™: Products for Sustainable Environments, NeoCon East sets the pace for the East Coast contract industry.
Produced by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), the show carries the history and reputation of the 37-year-old NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair in Chicago. “In 2005, NeoCon East will continue to build upon the trends and innovations in the design community,” said Mark Falanga, executive vice president, MMPI. “As the nucleus of commercial design in the Mid-Atlantic region, NeoCon East unites products, people, education, ideas and industry leaders for two energy-charged days, proving once again that NeoCon East sets a new standard and is a vital opportunity for anyone in the industry.”
SHOW COMPONENTS – THREE SHOWS WITHIN A SHOW
Government Interiors™
Supported by the General Service Administration’s (GSA) National Furniture Center – the entity that supplies federal government and military agencies with interiors solutions – Government Interiors serves the federal government specifier, designer and procurement manager. The show features accredited seminars, various special events throughout NeoCon East and an impressive exhibition that showcases an array of innovative products and services available on the GSA schedule. Government Interiors provides attendees with the most cost-effective way to explore industry trends and procurement changes that impact federal acquisitions.
Buildings Show®
Buildings and Archi-Tech magazines bring a showcase of building products, services and resources for new construction and renovation projects to architects, facility managers, building owners, developers and other professionals from the commercial design community. Attendees will learn the latest strategies and offerings in facilities management, construction and technology.
GREENlife™: Products for Sustainable Environments
Architects and interior designers will find products, processes and certification measures that can provide eco-friendly solutions to help maintain a healthy planet. GREENlife™ is the platform for manufacturers who recognize the importance of sustainable design through both the product design and manufacturing processes.
TOURS
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
The Johns Hopkins tour will consist of a short lecture followed by an incredible tour of the facilities. Attendees will learn first-hand how a major institution like Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions plans for future capital improvements. Presented by: Today’s Facility Manager magazine
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 9 -10:30 a.m.
Baltimore Visitors Center
Attendees will have the chance to view the newly designed Baltimore Visitors Center and take in all the “charm” of Charm City while touring a cutting-edge facility. They will also learn the inspiration behind its development and the project imperatives that contributed to its success. Presented by: Design Collective, Inc.
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m.
Creating an Urban Oasis, The Design of New Boutique Hotels in Baltimore
The tour will cover the successes of urban boutique hotels in Baltimore and the design efforts by architects, interior designers, graphic designers and restaurant owners to create beautiful spaces. The tour will visit three hotel types from a modern bed and breakfast to a corporate hotel. Presented by: Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD)
Thursday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-noon
PRODUCT REPRESENTATION
NeoCon East provides a comprehensive exhibition of products and services for every aspect of the commercial interior and building facility industry. Exhibitors will display an expanded collection of product including:
Artwork & Accessories
Carpeting
Ceiling products
Computer support
Furniture
Corporate artwork
Educational furnishings
Fabrics/fibers
Floor coverings
Health care furnishings
Hospitality furnishings
Institutional furnishings
Landscape/plant services
Lighting control systems/fixtures
Office furnishings
Paints/finishes/coatings & sealants
Retail furnishings
Signage/electronic directories
Sound masking/noise control
Wall coverings
Wall systems
ATTENDEES
Attendees of the show come from a variety of industry segments including manufacturing, distribution, specification and purchasing. Professionals at NeoCon East include:
Government buyers and specifiers
Architects
Interior designers
Facility managers
Building managers
Corporate executives
Space planners
Real estate executives
Dealers/distributors
Manufacturing representatives
Office managers
Purchasing managers
Wholesalers
Students
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND ASSOCIATION FORUMS
Over the course of the show, more than 40 CEU-accredited seminars and association forums will be offered. Programming is designed to enhance the show experience for attendees, providing them with unique educational opportunities to expand industry knowledge and keep current with the latest trends in interior design and architecture. All educational sessions are one hour, rated by three skill levels and accredited for 0.1 CEU, 1LU or CMU.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, at noon, show attendees are invited to join Edward Feiner, former chief architect of the GSA’s Public Building Service and currently director of office operations at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Washington, D.C., as he presents “Excellence by Design.” Feiner will discuss, through the use of case studies, how design excellence can become an important edge for clients to achieve their business objectives. Sponsored by International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Media Sponsor: Interior Design magazine.
Kendall P. Wilson, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, principal of Envision Design, Washington, D.C., will deliver his keynote on Thursday, Sept. 15, at noon. “Green Design: The Intelligent Approach to Interiors” will give a realistic view of sustainable interior design. Join METROPOLIS editor in chief Susan Szenasy as she cross-examines Wilson on his projects, challenges and insights. Sponsored by: METROPOLIS magazine.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., Thomas Mayne, founder/principal of Morphosis Architects, Los Angeles, Calif., and winner of the 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize, will discuss architectural style and design. Mayne will give his insight into creations such as the Diamond Ranch High School; four large buildings for the U.S. government, including a satellite facility for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and a federal courthouse in Eugene, Ore. Sponsored by Allsteel.
STUDENT SERIES
On Thursday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., students and educators are invited to a day of real-world experience in design, facility management and architecture. Seminars, a career exchange, round-table discussions and time spent on the show floor provide this unique opportunity for education and enlightenment. Stephen Viscusi, author of “On the Job: How to Make it in the Real World of Work,” will kick-off the Student Series with welcoming remarks. Design experts Ken Wilson, sponsored by METROPOLIS magazine and Thomas Mayne, sponsored by Allsteel, will provide the keynote presentations. The day is complimentary for students and professors, but registration is required. For more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast. Sponsored by Haworth.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Attendees have access to a wide array of social and networking events, including workshops, award events, receptions and exhibits. Industry associations, organizations and exhibitors will be on hand for these not-to-be-missed events. Please visit www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast for a complete listing.
Some of the new and improved special events for 2005 include:
After Dark Party at NeoCon East
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the celebration of NeoCon® East will continue into the night at the Sculpture Barn and Garden, which is part of the uniquely designed American Visionary Arts Museum. Considered a treasure to the Baltimore community, this funky indoor/outdoor space will be host to industry professionals who can network and celebrate the design community of the Mid-Atlantic region over live music, food and drinks. Sponsored by MMPI, Teknion, LLC, IIDA and ASID’s National and Maryland Chapters.
Best of NeoCon® Lounge
This year, the collection of 2005 Best of NeoCon winning products will be showcased in a lounge environment that will incorporate cutting-edge design space courtesy of Interior Architect’s (IA) Washington, D.C., offices. Attendees will be able to see, feel and experience the best of the best from the industry in this “connection lounge.” Sponsored by Contract magazine.
REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL
Admission to the exhibit hall is free. Most promotional pieces include a Mart Card that is scanned on site, allowing a show badge to be printed. Industry members can register online by visiting www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast and entering their contact information. New in 2005, seminar registration is now available online at www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast. For travel arrangements, attendees also can visit the NeoCon East web site and conveniently be connected to Mart Travel Services.
For more information about NeoCon East and a complete list of exhibiting companies, please visit www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast or call 800-677-6278 (MART).
Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show, leasing and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, 350 W. Mart Center and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY
Natalie Campbell
Public Relations Associate
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312-527-7790
ncampbell@mmart.com