AWARDS, SPECIAL EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND ATTRACTIONS
ENHANCE NEOCON® EAST 2004 IN BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Oct. 6, 2004) — NeoCon® East, taking place at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 6-7, 2004, provides inspiring solutions for the design and management of the built environment. Show attendees will have access to a wide variety of social and networking events, in addition to CEU-accredited seminars and association forums, while exploring the latest trends and innovations in design, products, resources and communication. Industry associations, organizations and exhibitors will be participating in this array of intriguing events:
KEYNOTES
Wednesday, Oct. 6 • noon
Method of Success: The Renovation of The Pentagon
NeoCon East Theater
Presented by: IIDA
Media Sponsor: Interior Design Magazine
Thursday, Oct. 7 • noon
NeoCon East Theater
Sponsored by: METROPOLIS Magazine
Caan’s lecture will explore the forces shaping interior design’s future by answering questions relating to the profession’s goals, requirements and responsibilities. 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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Wednesday, Oct. 6 • 9 – 10:30 a.m.
NeoCon East Theater
Sponsored by: IFMA Chesapeake Chapter
An enlightening and interactive discussion by industry experts providing insight on the opportunities and challenges of today's market. This presentation will be moderated by Lou Ghitman, senior associate director of interior architecture for The Design Collective in Baltimore, Md.
Wednesday, Oct. 6 • 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Principals’ Roundtable
Presented by: International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Interior Design magazine
A convening of leaders in interior design and architecture will discuss significant issues facing the practice and profession. Topics include client service and expectations, the education of clients and stakeholders, the next generation of interior design professionals, as well as competition and expansion. The Principals’ Roundtable is specifically planned for firm management including directors of interiors, partners, principals and CEOs. R.S.V.P. by Monday, Sept. 28 to Jocelyn Pysarchuk, director of communications for IIDA, at 888.799.4432 or jpysarchuk@iida.org.
Thursday, Oct. 7 • 7:30 – 10 a.m.
This workshop, conducted by Beverly Russell, Ph.D., renowned editor, educator and certified labyrinth facilitator, introduces attendees to the power of the historic labyrinth, its sacred geometry and value for self-discovery. A journey to personal enrichment, participants will walk the labyrinth, a centering experience bringing harmony, balance and serenity to the spirit. The walking meditation offers helpful resolutions for personal and work-related stress. $30 fee includes handbook. Space is limited.
Thursday, Oct. 7 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Student Day at NeoCon East
This day provides activities geared to interior design and architecture students throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. A career exchange, seminars, networking and walking the show floor provide ample opportunities to experience “real-world” exposure to the industry. A special keynote address by Douglas Fanning, design entrepreneur, will take place at 10 a.m. and will address “What Does it Take to Keep a Young Design Business Successful?” Student Day is sponsored by Herman Miller. The Student Day keynote address by Douglas Fanning is sponsored by METROPOLIS Magazine.
ASID Maryland Chapter General Meeting
Baltimore Convention Center
All NeoCon East attendees are invited to attend the Maryland ASID Chapter's General Meeting. For more information and to R.S.V.P., please contact the ASID Maryland Chapter at 410.744.1121
or kimasidmd@earthlink.net.
Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 6-7 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Executive Job Search at the Viscusi Career Center
Resumés will be critiqued by Stephen Viscusi and his staff for free. Get the same sound career
advice found in Viscusi's book, “On the Job: How to Make it in the Real World of Work” (Three Rivers Press);
in his monthly column for Interiors & Sources magazine and on his nationally syndicated radio talk show, “On the Job.” All attendees are welcome; appointments are not necessary. For more information, visit www.viscusigroup.com.
Sponsored by: Interior Design magazine
Meet the creative forces behind the products at NeoCon East 2004! Hear from top product designers as they discuss their inspirations in an intimate theater setting. Visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon East for a list of participants.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
Sponsored by: the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Contract magazine
IIDA and Contract magazine will recognize a company's creative excellence in booth design at NeoCon East. The annual Booth Design Competition spotlights the most original tradeshow spaces on display. The deadline for entry is Monday, Sept. 20. Contact Erenn Ellermann at eellermann@iida.org with questions.
The Maryland ASID Chapter will display the winning boards from the Chapter Design Competition, located on the exhibit floor. This yearly competition is co-sponsored by Chesapeake Home magazine.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE SHOW
GSA — National Furniture Center Booth
The General Services Administration’s (GSA) National Furniture Center specifies more than $1.5 billion of furnishings for the federal government annually. GSA personnel will be on hand at NeoCon East to assist both federal employees and exhibitors through navigation of the Federal Government procurement process. The GSA offers choices to enhance work environments and improve productivity and quality of life for employees. The National Furniture Center — a “one-stop” shop of furnishings from a single source — is committed to providing federal employees with the acquisition solutions to meet their requirements and budget. Exhibitors interested in selling to the government are also encouraged to speak with a GSA representative on site.
Best of NeoCon® Gallery
Showcased together for the first time on the East Coast, a gallery of Best of NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair 2004 products will be on display. Best of NeoCon is the highest honor a commercial furnishings manufacturer can receive. Judging is completed by facility managers and interior designers who award products that display the most innovative concepts in 25 different product categories. The gallery is sponsored by Contract magazine, IIDA, IFMA, The McMorrow Report and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).
RECEPTIONS
Wednesday, Oct. 6 • 4 – 6 p.m.
Opening Night Industry Celebration
An end-of-day celebration on the NeoCon East show floor offers attendees an opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues and enjoy hospitality from exhibitors while exploring the exhibit floor.
CONCURRENT EVENTS
Oct. 6-7 • Baltimore Convention Center
FocusOnDesign™: Digital Arts Technology & Design Conference
FocusOnDesign™ (a collaboration of professional design and arts organizations) and AAGamer partner to present an interdisciplinary design conference Oct. 6-9 in conjunction with NeoCon East. For detailed information on the event, speakers, sponsors and participating organizations, visit www.merchandisemart.com (click on NeoCon East) or go to www.focusondesign.org.
Federal Facilities Expo
Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, Oct. 6 • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Thursday, Oct. 7 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Training Seminars: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
More than 3,000 federal government buyers will be on hand at this event, which will feature a comprehensive exhibit hall that includes more than 150 leading building solutions, services and suppliers. A free shuttle will run between the Washington Convention Center and NeoCon East.
RELATED YEAR-ROUND DESTINATIONS
The Washington Design Center
200 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
The Washington Design Center is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. and has been the Mid-Atlantic’s largest single resource and destination for the design industry during the past 20 years. The Washington Design Center is home to 65+ industry-leading showrooms and offers a wide array of both trade and consumer programs throughout the year. With nearly 4,000 square feet of space, The Washington Design Center showcases the latest products in residential, commercial, kitchen, bath and building products showrooms. To learn more, visit www.merchandisemart.com/dcdesigncenter or phone 202.646.6118.
The Architects & Designers Building
150 E. 58th Street, New York, N.Y.
Located in mid-town Manhattan’s Design District, the Architects & Designers Building is known as the premier design address in New York for contract, kitchen, bath and residential furnishings showrooms. The Architects & Designer Building contains top-tier contract furnishings vendors and the second largest kitchen and bath center in the United States. More than 20 luxury product showrooms carry an impressive and extensive line for home building and renovation. For more information on this resource for fine design, visit www.adbuilding.com or phone 212.644.2766.
For more information about NeoCon East, 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 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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