NEOCON® EAST BRINGS NEW RESOURCES AND IDEAS
TO THE EAST COAST CONTRACT INDUSTRY, OCTOBER 6-7, 2004
The largest exposition and conference for the built environment
returns to the Baltimore Convention Center
BALTIMORE (Oct. 6, 2004) — NeoCon® East brings the NeoCon® brand of diverse resources to the East Coast contract industry October 6-7, 2004. Returning to the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland, the show provides attendees with inspiring solutions for the design and management of the built environment. It attracts 6,000 to 8,000 interior designers, architects, facility managers, dealers, manufacturers’ representatives, students, federal employees and corporate executives. With more than 250 exhibitors, 175,000 square feet of exhibit space and four specific show components including: Government Interiors, Buildings Show®, GREENlife™: Products for Sustainable Environments and the new Architectural Stone and Ceramic Tile Exposition, 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 36-year-old NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair in Chicago. “This is a business-oriented show revolving around good design and the people, products and resources that are available to create it,” said Mark Falanga, vice president, MMPI. “As with all of our NeoCon shows, we’ve centered this one on the concept that good design is good business, but we’ve added to that a special focus on East Coast style and have assembled the largest collection of commercial furnishings and services available under one roof.”
SHOW COMPONENTS — FOUR 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 CEU-accredited seminars, special events, and an exhibition of 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. Federal government employees receive special offerings such as complimentary meeting space and free CEU seminars.
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, offering them the latest in facilities management, construction and technology.
GREENlife™: Products for Sustainable Environments
Architects and interior designers will find products to assist in maintaining a healthy planet while earning project points with rating systems such as LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Providing the products, processes and certification measures necessary to achieve eco-friendly design solutions, GREENlife™ highlights manufacturers who recognize the importance of sustainable design in both design and manufacturing processes.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Architectural Stone and Ceramic Tile Exposition (ASCTEX)
Natural stone and ceramic tile have become prominent design elements in every North American marketplace. The addition of ASCTEX this year brings stone and tile options to the attendees of NeoCon East, further expanding the product options and offerings available at the show.
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
wallcoverings
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
manufacturer’s representatives
office managers
purchasing managers
wholesalers
students
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND ASSOCIATION FORUMS
Over the course of the show, 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. Complete seminar listings and times are located at www.merchandisemart.com under NeoCon East. All educational sessions are 60 minutes in length, rated by three skill levels and accredited for 0.1 CEU, 1LU or CMU.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
On Wednesday, October 6 at noon, join Kenneth Catlow, principal deputy director of the Pentagon Renovation and Construction Office, as he presents "Method of Success: The Renovation of the Pentagon." Learn how the renovation of the largest low-rise office building in the world (The Pentagon) went from the point of the being canceled due to mismanagement to becoming an unprecedented success based on the innovative organizational teaming, acquisition and project execution concepts employed by the Pentagon Renovation and Construction Program Office. Presented by IIDA. Media Sponsor: Interior Design Magazine.
On Thursday, October 7 at noon, Shashi Caan discusses “Imagination and Responsibility.” Her lecture will explore the forces shaping interior design’s future by answering questions that relate to the profession’s goals, requirements and responsibilities. Ms. Caan is an educator and multi-talented designer with an eye on long-term impacts of architectural design, innovation and creativity. Working to unite architecture, product and interior design with some of New York’s top firms, Caan now heads her own design practice, The Collective, as well as serving as a chair for Parsons’ Interior Design Department. Sponsored by METROPOLIS Magazine.
STUDENT DAY
On Thursday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., students and educators are invited to a day of real-world experience in design, facility management and architecture. Seminars, a career exchange, a docent program and time spent on the show floor provide this unique opportunity for education and enlightenment. Design entrepreneur Douglas Fanning will serve as the Student Day keynote speaker, exploring the topic of “What Does it Take to Keep a Young Design Business Successful?” at 10 a.m. The day is complimentary for students and professors, but registration is required. For more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon East, then the Student Day link. Student Day is sponsored by Herman Miller. The Student Day keynote address by Douglas Fanning is sponsored by METROPOLIS Magazine.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Attendees have access to a wide array of social and networking events, including workshops, awards events, receptions and exhibits. Industry associations, organizations and exhibitors will be on hand for these not-to-be missed events. For a complete listing, visit www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast.
REGISTRATION & 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. For travel arrangements, attendees can also visit the NeoCon East Web site and be conveniently connected to Mart Travel Services. For more information and a complete list of exhibiting companies, please visit www.merchandisemart.com/neoconeast or call 800.677.6278 (MART).
For more information about NeoCon East or any of the NeoCon shows, please call 800.677.6278 or visit www.merchandisemart.com.
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 North Orleans/Chicago Apparel 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 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.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312-527-7074
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