5.1.12 | New York, NY | Become a LEED Green Associate, the new standard credential for professionals in green building design, construction, and operations. SKYed will give you the tools and information you need to successfully take and pass the LEED Green Associate exam.

DATE:

May 17, 21 and 23: 5:30 - 8:00pm

LOCATION:

Center for Architecture / AIA New York Chapter 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012

LEED Green Associate Exam Prep — 3-Day PM classes presented by SKYed Eco Education

CES: 7.0 LU, 7.0 HSW, 7.0 SD over 3 courses

Course includes:

• A comprehensive study plan
• Guidance in navigating through the application/registration process
• Exam details, test-taking tips and resources
• A walk through relevant green building and LEED concepts — Practice exam questions and answers
• Access to instructors after the class to answer questions
• AIA NY Certificate of Completion
• SKYed, LLC Letter of Attestation to achieve eligibility to sit for the LEED GA exam

LMNOP members will receive a $100 discount.

To register, please visit the LEED Green Associate Registration link.

SKYed Eco Education will also have an June AM course coming up along with courses scheduled into the following months as well:

June 5, 12 and 19: 9:00am to 11:30am

July 23, 24 and 30: 5:30pm to 8:00pm

5.7.12 | New York, NY | New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) is pleased to announce that Amy Lau, interior designer and principal of Amy Lau Design, will be the keynote speaker at the college’s 2012 commencement ceremony, which will take place on Friday, May 18^th at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC. NYSID is proud to graduate 175 candidates this year: 33 Master of Fine Arts, 15 Master of Professional Studies, 34 Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1 Bachelor of Arts, 28 Basic Interior Design, and 64 Associate in Applied Science candidates.

Lau will receive the college’s Honorary Doctorate degree in Fine Arts, as will famed lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, Architectural Digest editor-in-chief Margaret Russell, and interior designer John Saladino. “We are so pleased to have Amy Lau as our commencement speaker this year,” said NYSID Acting President David Sprouls. “She is a shining example of a successful interior designer and entrepreneur and brings great enthusiasm and expertise to the field. We are also thrilled to be honoring Martha Stewart, Margaret Russell and John Saladino—three powerhouses of design and style.”

Keynote Speaker: Amy Lau

Arizona native Amy Lau founded her interiors firm Amy Lau Design in 2001. She also currently serves as an independent advisor to collectors of 20th Century decorative arts. Before founding her firm, Lau was the director under founder Thomas O’Brien at Aero Studios and design director of the Lin-Weinberg Gallery, which specializes in international mid-century modernism.

In 2005, she co-founded the prestigious Design Miami fair, which assembles the most significant galleries specializing in design from the post-war period to the present. Established to run in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach, the Design Miami fair has expanded to become a vital forum for exhibiting, discussing, creating, and collecting design.

Her work has been featured in LUXE, Metropolitan Home, Elle Decor, The New York Times, New York Spaces, Interior Design, Gotham, House & Garden, and on the HGTV show “Top Ten.” New York magazine included her as one of this year’s “Next Garde” and House Beautiful named her a young designer to watch.

Honoree Recipient: Martha Stewart

From her award-winning magazine, Martha Stewart Living, to her bestselling product lines, Martha Stewart shares the creative principles and practical ideas that have made her America’s most trusted guide to stylish living. Millions of consumers rely on Martha Stewart as their arbiter of style and taste and their guide to all aspects of everyday living - from cooking and entertaining to decorating and gardening, and much more. Martha's unique business sense and creative vision is the framework for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and the expansive multimedia portfolio that encompasses award-winning media and merchandise, including Martha Stewart Living and Everyday Food magazines, the marthastewart.com website, the Emmy Award-winningThe Martha Stewart Show, the Martha Stewart Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, the Martha Stewart Collection of home products exclusively at Macy’s, the Martha Stewart Home Office line with Avery at Staples, Martha Stewart Pets products at PetSmart, Martha Stewart Crafts, and more. The company recently entered into a strategic alliance with J.C. Penney Company, Inc., which includes a merchandising agreement to build distinct Martha Stewart stores in jcpenney department stores, and to jointly develop an e-commerce site, both of which are expected to launch in 2013.

Honoree Recipient: Margaret Russell

Margaret Russell is the editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest and archdigest.com, a position she has held since August 2010. Russell spearheaded a highly regarded redesign of the magazine and is the creative force behind its evolution in the digital space with a recent website re-launch and upcoming tablet editions. Prior to joining AD, Ms. Russell served as editor-in-chief of Elle Decor, a publication that she helped launch in 1989. During her tenure, Russell also created elledecor.com and produced the best-selling Elle Decor book series.

Ms. Russell is committed to promoting the design community through charitable work both locally and nationally and is a trustee of God’s Love We Deliver and the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, having previously served on the boards of DIFFA and the Alpha Workshops. She has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars to support HIV/AIDS preventive education and direct-care programs.

Russell lectures frequently on interior decoration and is a regular guest on numerous television programs to discuss design-related topics; she was also a featured judge on both seasons of Bravo’s reality-competition show Top Design. She is the author of several books, including So Chic and Style & Substance.

Honoree Recipient: John Saladino

John Saladino is a graduate of Notre Dame and the Yale School of Art and Architecture. He worked in Rome with the architect Piero Sartogo before returning to New York where he opened his own architectural and interior design practice, The Saldino Group, over 35 years ago. The business has grown into a full service architectural, interior design and landscape design firm with a multinational staff of 25.

Saladino has won numerous interior design and furniture awards (including the prestigious Daphne Award) and he is on the Board of Directors of the John Soane Museum in London. His interiors regularly appear in international magazines including House Beautiful, House and Garden, The New York Times Magazine, Architectural Digest, Vogue Decoration and the World of Interiors. He lectures worldwide and appears regularly in books, magazines and on television in the US, England, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. He is also the author of two design books, Saladino Style and Villa.

5.6.12 | New York, NY | The 24th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair will map the newest frontier of what’s best and what’s next in design at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, May 19-22, 2012.

North America’s premier showcase for contemporary design, the ICFF annually lures those in determined pursuit of design’s timely truths and latest trends to an encyclopedic exhibition of up-to-the-moment offerings, as well as a series of fascinating, fun, edifying programs, and a packed schedule of exhibits and features.

For the four-day duration of the Fair, 145,000 net square feet (13,500 net square meters) of the Javits Center will be abuzz with more than 25,000 interior designers, architects, retailers, designers, manufacturers, representatives, distributors, and developers. On Tuesday, May 22, the ICFF opens its doors to the general public, as well.

More than 500 exhibitors from all points of the globe will display contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors. This remarkable throng of exhibitors creates an unparalleled opportunity to view a broad yet highly focused selection of the world's finest, most innovative, and original avant-garde home and contract products side-by-side, under one roof.

The ICFF hosts representatives from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and U.S.

Making their yearly pilgrimage to the celebrated design hub will be contingents from BC Wood Specialties Group (Canada), British European Design Group (BEDG), Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Furniture New York, The Furniture Society (U.S.), IDSA New York (Industrial Designers Society of America), Inside Norway, Interiors from Spain, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), and Portugal Brands.

Trade:

Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20

10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Monday, May 21

9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Trade and General Public:

Tuesday, May 22

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

(11th Avenue at 38th Street)

New York City

800-272-7469 or 212-204-1060

www.icff.com

9.27.11 | White Plains, NY | The 26th annual edition of SURTEX, the only business-to-business marketplace in North America devoted to selling and licensing art and design to be used for all product surfaces, will take place May 20-22, 2012, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Some 350 exhibitors and more than 6,000 other industry professionals from around the world are expected to participate, according to Penny Sikalis, GLM Vice President and SURTEX manager.

A resource unique in the industry, the show attracts textile designers, illustrators, graphic designers, fine artists, and other talents offering trend-on artwork for the creation of top-selling products of all kinds, Sikalis points out. In addition, licensing agents and design studios exhibit artwork from their diverse sources, making work from more than 1,000 artists and designers available under the same roof, she said.

Attendees include manufacturers, top retailers and other product developers from the US and abroad, who come to SURTEX seeking “the latest surface designs to create exceptional products,” Sikalis said.

“We expect a broader and deeper range of attendees this year — there’s virtually no limit on the variety of products that make use of surface designs,” Sikalis said. “So we expect the attendance to be up again in 2012.”

An award-winning veteran of the art licensing industry she helped develop, Sikalis also pointed out two special features of the 2012 show: the ReSourceHuB, offering essential tools for the designer/design industry, and the annual International Student Design Competition known as designext, also in its 26th year.

Invitations have already been sent to colleges and universities around the globe, urging surface design students in their third or fourth year to accept the designext challenge for 2012: Creating a collection of original surface designs for products to be used in an outdoor setting in the year 2020. Products can range from outdoor furnishings and fabrics, to tabletop, decorative accessories, wall coverings, floor coverings, and lighting, she said.

“We’re encouraging students to think ahead, to think future trends and to develop designs that will be used in a variety of outdoor situations,” Sikalis said.

“The student design competition itself is designed to encourage the next generation of surface designers,” she emphasized. “With surface design so important to successful product development across the board, we need to attract young designers as they’re about to leave school and enter the marketplace.”

Four designext winners, chosen by an august panel of judges, will land in the spotlight at SURTEX, where one Grand Prize winner will be named. During the show, the students can present their entries and portfolios, and network with the largest gathering of professionals in the industry. “It’s a terrific path for beginning a career,” Sikalis said.

Deadline for designext entries is January 25, 2012; judging takes place in February. For details and an on-line entry form, visit www.SURTEX.com.

5.11.12 | Bridgehampton, NY | Peter Sabbeth of ModernGreenHome, Kati Curtis of Nirmada Interior Architectural Design and Carolyn Tierney of ECOterior Solutions will present the final talk in Bridge Gardens' spring sustainable living lecture series, tackling the question of how to live with Hamptons style while minimizing impact on the fragile East End landscape. Ed Krug of PitchBlue will moderate the discussion.

The panel will take attendees through the creative process of remodeling. From siting to systems design, to furnishing, the talk will explore a series of stylish, healthy and energy-efficient living environments on the East End -- with a focus on revitalizing and reusing existing homes and vintage furnishings. Panelists will not only demonstrate how responsible design doesn't have to come at the sacrifice of high-end style, they will share resources that they utilize to re-imagine projects.

"Our high-end clients often have the misconception that sustainable living comes at the sacrifice of luxury. We've continued to demonstrate that responsible decisions during the design process can lead to luxurious spaces that are also healthy inside and out," says Kati Curtis of Nirmada Interior Design.

When: May 20, 2012 -- 1:00 - 3:00

Where: Bridge Gardens -- 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, NY

How Much: $15/person, free to members of Bridge Gardens

For More Information: Space is limited, so reserve now by calling the Peconic Land Trust at (631) 283.3195, ext. 19 or by email toevents@peconclandtrust.org

5.14.12 | Vienna, VA | Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that KTGY Principal Rohit Anand, AIA, NCARB, has been invited to be a featured speaker in an upcoming webinar, "Top 12 Must Haves in Your 2012 Apartment Project," presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on May 23, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT.

Anand will share innovative products, technology and unity and amenity layouts that are being used in today's smaller apartments. Listeners will learn how to make smaller apartments more functional for the next generation of renters and what will keep multifamily developments competitive in today's challenging market.

In addition, Vice President Jeff Kayce at Bozzuto Development Company will discuss the financial implications of these new design elements and their impact on leasing. Kayce is responsible for expanding joint venture development opportunities within the greater Washington-Baltimore metro area. Currently, Kayce is overseeing more than $275 million in development, including Union Wharf (Baltimore), Flats170 at Academy Yard (Odenton, Md.), and Cathedral Commons (Washington, D.C.). Kayce managed the development of The Fitzgerald in Baltimore, Maryland, ULI’s recipient of the National Award for Excellence in 2011.

Anand is the managing principal for KTGY's Tysons Corner, Va. office. Anand brings more than 25 years of professional achievement in leading the design of multifamily residential developments primarily in the mid-Atlantic and major East Coast markets. Anand's experience includes the design of nearly 25,000 market rate residential units ranging from for-rent and for-sale multifamily units to single-family attached and detached homes. A recognized industry authority and trend-setter, he is adept at providing product positioning advice and efficient construction systems that help meet a developer's proforma. Anand's leadership, strategic insight, communication skills and comprehensive knowledge have helped his team to design award-winning projects that have gained local and national recognition. He counts among his clients four of the nation's top 10 multifamily residential developers: Trammell Crow Residential, UDR, The Bozzuto Group and Avalon Bay.

For more information about the webinar, call Carmel McGuire at (800) 368-5242 x8207 or visit http://www.nahb.org/meeting_details.aspx?meetingID=24311

4.11.12 | San Francisco, CA | The Northern California Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) will present an evening highlighting the work of Yabu Pushelberg, the Toronto and New York based hospitality design firm on May 23, 2012. Principals Glenn Yabu and George Pushelberg will take the stage at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco for an inspirational conversation led by IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl Durst.

Prior to the discussion, the audience will be treated to a short film by Rowan Brooks, highlighting the esteemed career of the designers. A reception in the Green Room will cap off the evening.

Tickets go on sale starting April 2nd through City Box Office – www.cityboxoffice.com or call (415) 392-4400.

12.3.11 | Chicago, IL | Tickets are now available for the internationally acclaimed Wright Plus 2012 housewalk, showcasing rare interior tours of private homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries in historic Oak Park, Illinois.

Wright Plus 2012, hosted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 2, features magnificent private residences from Oak Park’the community with the most Wright-designed structures. Guests will enjoy interpretations based on in-depth research of the homes” history and architecture, including discussions of the original occupants” lifestyles. This exceptional housewalk, which attracts visitors from around the world, offers intimate looks at a collection of beautiful homes lining the historic streets of Oak Park. Tickets are available at GoWright.org. Tickets are $85 for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust members and $100 for non-members.

The Wright Plus housewalk features eight private homes, three designed by Wright, and three public buildings designed by Wright. The William G. Fricke House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1901) is an early, rare three-story Prairie example with remarkable art glass and the Oscar B. Balch House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1911) is a notable transitional example with a unique overlook and thoughtful restorations. The William E. Martin House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1903) is a stunning, family-friendly Prairie home featuring original murals and a lovely water garden. The three public buildings designed by Wright: Unity Temple, Robie House and Wright’s Home and Studio; are National Historic Landmarks.

The George Sharp House (Architect Unknown, 1873) is one of Oak Park’s oldest residences showcasing stunning original woodwork. The John T. Price House (E.E. Roberts, 1904) is a spectacular updated Queen Anne with an exceptional addition. Vernon Skiff House (Nimmons & Fellows, 1909) is a restrained elegance in an eclectic design suggesting the Prairie School. Two more historic homes will be announced on GoWright.org in the coming weeks.

The Ultimate Plus Weekend

Along with the famed housewalk tour, the Preservation Trust also offers the Ultimate Plus Weekend, an exclusive four-day weekend of events Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3. As part of the Ultimate Plus Weekend guests will enjoy an elegant reception at the beautiful 1905 Wright-designed lobby of The Rookery Building in downtown Chicago on Thursday and a Friday Excursion to Wright-designed buildings in Chicago’s exclusive North Shore. Guests will enjoy the housewalk, a private luncheon and lecture and Exclusively Wright Dinners on Saturday, and a Behind-the-scenes Tour of Wright's Frederick C. Robie House on Sunday.

The invitation-only Chairman’s Reception kicks off the Ultimate Plus experience Thursday, May 31 at The Rookery Building, a historic Burnham and Root structure in downtown Chicago. The Rookery is noted as one of the original skyscrapers and showcases a beautiful 1905 Wright-designed lobby. Mingle with fellow Ultimate Plus guests and VIPs while exploring this grand building and perusing the silent auction. The Friday Excursion, Private Passage to Wright’s North Shore, is day trip featuring tours of privately owned Wright-designed homes. The trip includes a visit to the private Charles F. Glore House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1951), nestled on over an acre of wooded property, and the much earlier Prairie style Emil Bach House (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1915) that serves as an artistic gem and a Chicago landmark. This is a triumphant design for a small, urban dwelling. Travelers will lunch overlooking Lake Michigan at the private Michigan Shores Club, which was designed by Daniel H. Burnham.

Saturday, June 2 enjoy the housewalk and a private luncheon and lecture from the Preservation Trust’s Curator and Director of Interpretations. Then, Saturday evening delight in the Exclusively Wright Dinners. The private dinners offer an intimate experience combining a magical Frank Lloyd Wright space and the exquisite cuisine of an acclaimed chef. The evening includes champagne, live music, private tours and conversations with the current owners. Finally, on Sunday, the Behind-the-scenes Tour of Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House will cap off the weekend’s festivities. Enjoy a gourmet buffet breakfast at the Carleton Hotel before departing for your private tour of Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House. One of Wright’s greatest buildings, the Robie House is a masterpiece of the Prairie style and an icon of early modernism.

The Ultimate Plus Weekend Package is highlighted by three night’s accommodation in a deluxe room (double occupancy) at the historic Carleton of Oak Park, Official Hotel of Wright Plus 2012, and transportation from hotel to all events. For more information about the Preservation Trust and Wright Plus events visit GoWright.org. The Wright Plus housewalk and weekend events support the preservation, restoration and education programs of the Preservation Trust.

1.31.12 | Chicago, IL | NeoCon, North America’s largest contract furnishings trade show, returns June 11-13 to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart for its 44^th year with an expertly crafted line-up of show components developed to educate, inspire and engage the design world. With more than 40,000 expected attendees, 120 CEU-accredited seminars, thousands of new products from more than 700 of the world’s top manufacturers, and perhaps the most impressive line-up of keynote speakers to date, NeoCon 2012 promises three days of pure energy bursting with new innovations, resources and networking opportunities.

EDUCATE

Each year, NeoCon taps the brightest minds and industry innovators for its keynote presentations and this year’s show is no exception. Show organizers have lined up four incredible and informative keynote speakers including Richard M. Daley, former Mayor of the City of Chicago, Primo Orpilla, Principal of Studio O+A. Gary Lee, Principal of Gary Lee Partners, and Ian Schrager of Ian Schrager Company. Keynote programs are free to attend, open to trade professionals only, and merit 0.1 CEU credit.

The longest-serving mayor in Chicago’s history, Richard M. Daley has earned an international reputation as a leading innovator in urban development, fiscal policy and government stewardship. As the former mayor, Mr. Daley enhanced Chicago’s quality of life, improved the public school system and infrastructure, strengthened the economy, reduced crime, improved transportation, and made Chicago one of the most environmentally- friendly cities in the world. Sponsored by Allsteel, his keynote will take place on Monday, June 11 at 8 a.m.

Primo Orpilla co-founded Studio O+A in 1991 with his partner (and wife) Verda Alexander because they recognized the need for a design firm in the Bay Area with the ability to respond to dynamic changes in the local tech-based economy. Since that time, Orpilla has directed design and construction for millions of square feet of space throughout the United States. His remarkably diverse client roster includes technology and communications firms, financial institutions, government agencies, developers, non-profit entities, and multi-national corporations. Most recently, the duo was named “Designers of the Year” by Contract magazine. His keynote, sponsored by OFS Brands, will take place on Tuesday, June 12 at 8 a.m.

Gary Lee, an interior design visionary, has earned accolades and rewards that include the prestigious Interiors Designer of the Year and membership in the highly selective Interior Design Hall of Fame. With his innate ability to communicate a vision for projects, Lee begins the design process with a sense of how the environment will function for the client’s business, how the space will feel, and in planning that considers rhythm and volume before style. His keynote will take place on Tuesday, June 12 at 1 p.m.

Ian Schrager, creator of the boutique hotel concept, has achieved international recognition for concepts that have revolutionized both the entertainment and hospitality industries. His passionate commitment to the modern lifestyle has been expressed through a series of pioneering concepts: The hotel as home away from home, the hotel as a theater, "cheap chic", "lobby socializing", the indoor/outdoor lobby, the urban resort, and the urban spa. He is currently working on launching two new hotel brands in various 24 hour gateway cities around the world. His keynote will take place on Wednesday, June 13 at Noon.

Continuing education and professional development have always been an integral component of NeoCon. This year’s conference schedule includes 120 CEU-accredited seminars and industry association forums, giving trade professionals the opportunity to discover the newest trends and techniques from some of the top-names in the industry. This year, NeoCon is pleased to offer a full day workshop that will provide a comprehensive overview of LEED, and is designed to prepare individuals to pass the introductory LEED credentialing exam, LEED Green Associate. The workshop will be presented on Sunday, June 10^th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be presented by Michelle Cottrell, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ID+C, Vice President & Director of Education at Green Education Services, Author of Guide to the LEED” Green Associate Exam (Wiley, 2010).

Visit www.neocon.com for a complete listing of tours, association forums and special events.

INSPIRE

NeoCon is the only place to see thousands of new product launches from industry heavy hitters all under one roof. Attendees at the show will be the first to see innovative, next generation products and resources from more than 700 of the world’s top furnishings manufacturers for commercial office, residential, health care, hospitality, institutional and government design environments. Products will span a wide range of categories including: architectural products, artwork and accessories, building products and services, fabric, floor coverings, furnishings, kitchen and bath, lighting, outdoor furniture, stone and tile, sustainable design products, technology, textiles and wall coverings.

Additionally, this premier contract show features a variety of show components, including Fine Design and LuxeHome. Attendees can explore the best in home furnishings during Fine Design at NeoCon. The Design Center’s permanent showrooms on floors 6, 15, 16, 17 and 18 as well as the LuxeHome” boutiques on the ground floor, boast nearly 200 stunning showrooms, dedicated to residential furnishing, kitchen, bath and building product resources.

Following the tremendous success the past two years, the Furniture Revolution Gallery will return to NeoCon to find America’s next great designer. The Gallery, located on the NeoCon show floor, offers design students and young designers just out of school the chance to get their unique product in front of the world’s top manufacturers.

Additionally, the first floor of the Merchandise Mart will feature the Herman Miller Lounge in the South Lobby; the BuzziSpace lounge for those looking to relax, make a phone call, or meet a colleague; the Green Spot and Sustainability Timeline which showcases new, innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly products from showroom partners; as well as Seeyond, a stunningly elegant wall feature that creates two distinct semi-enclosed work spaces.

ENGAGE

There’s a lot to be said for face-to-face interactions and NeoCon offers attendees the opportunity to engage with more than 40,000 like-minded, industry professionals. Show organizers have produced a full calendar of special events for networking and unwinding after navigating the largest contract furnishings show in North America. A full list of special events will be available at www.neocon.com in March, 2012.

AWARDS

Celebrating its 23rd year, the Best of NeoCon” (BON) honors new commercial interiors products. These products are introduced to the market in 42 categories ranging from Architectural Products to Workplace Technologies. Forty-six jurors who are interior designers, architects, and facilities management professionals, review approximately 325 products in 22 hours over three days before NeoCon begins. In late May 2012, all products that entered the Best of NeoCon will be available for viewing at www.contract-network.com .

REGISTERRegistration will be available at www.neocon.com in March, 2012. NeoCon attendees are encouraged to pre-register by June 4th to save time and money. As part of a new effort to increase online pre-registration, attendees who register at www.neocon.com by June 4th will be admitted into the show at no charge. Attendees who wait to register on-site will be charged $25 for a show badge.

SHOW HOURS

9 a.m. — 5 p.m., June 11 — 13, 2012

For more information about NeoCon, visit the www.neocon.com or call (800) 677-6278 (MART).

Outside of the United States call (312) 527-7600. NeoCon is only open to trade professionals with proper credentials.

3.27.12 | Chicago, IL | NeoCon, North America’s largest contract furnishings trade show, returns June 11-13 to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart for its 44^th year with 100 CEU-accredited seminars and association forums. The educational seminars offer a range of important topics organized in 14 educational tracks: Dealer Strategies, Environmental Design, Facilities Construction/Renovation, Facilities Management, Facilities Technology, Health Care Design, Health, Safety and Welfare, Hospitality, Institutional Design, Lighting Design, Office Design, Professional Development, Residential Design and Senior Housing.

Seminar Highlights Include:

THE SAFE WAY OUT

Monday, June 11 — 11 AM — NOON

Safe egress from buildings is achieved through the understanding and application of building codes in interiors. Using the new 2012 Edition of the International Building Code, Means of Egress chapter, this session will discuss the basics and beyond as they apply to interiors planning. First, learn how the intent of safe egress is achieved in building codes. Review which building codes apply to safe egress. And finally, learn how to apply the codes to your own interiors projects correctly. Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to speed on a critical issue. [Intermediate] [OF] [FC/R]

SPEAKER: Kimberly Marks is owner and principal of The Marks Design Group in San Antonio, Texas.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Monday, June 11 — 11 AM — NOON

Within the AD&D community, the conversation about sustainability has grown beyond the topic of the environment and into a broader discussion about a social responsibility of which environmental sustainability is only one part. Learn how this new thinking embraces social, cultural and economic sustainability and how one can weave environmental sustainability throughout. Hear the panel discuss the big picture and why the definition of sustainability should be expanded into this new realm. Refresh your repertoire of design techniques that support diversity and inclusion. Consider new perspectives that will influence your design thinking for a more sustainable future. [Basic] [PD] [ENV]

SPEAKERS: Liz Ogbu is an environments designer for IDEO in Palo Alto, California. ” Monica Chadha is co-founder of Converge: Exchange in Chicago, Illinois. — Kate Lydon is an environments designer for IDEO in Palo Alto, California.

DESIGN PARTNERSHIPS WITH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Monday, June 11 — 1 — 2 PM

Non-profit organizations have unique design and operational characteristics. Design projects for these organizations require a different set of design strategies, processes and implementation tools to help align organizational objectives with effective design outcomes. Learn how to apply different methods and design processes to help properly align timing issues, funding sources and operational requirements for non-profit organizations. Gain the skills to evaluate the typology of non-profit organizations to develop effective design solutions. Discuss the common characteristics of non-profit organizations, public-sector organizations and private companies that can be effectively transformed into design solutions. [Intermediate] [PD] [INST]

SPEAKERS: David Loehr, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a principal at HGA Architects and Engineers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ” Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, FASID, CID, LEED AP BD+C, is a partner at Studio 2030 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING IN INTERNATIONALCOUNTRIES

Monday, June 11 — 1 — 2 PM

International work might sound exciting and glamorous, but language, culture, expectations codes and building practices in other countries can present many obstacles. Western firms typically pass their design concept on to local partners for implementation. How can designers communicate their intent effectively and maintain project integrity as it leaves their hands? Understand the variations and challenges in international markets vs. US standard practice. Get the most effective communication and presentation methods to convey design intent. Recognize what you can control and what you can’t, and when both situations can be used to the project’s advantage. Leave the session ready to take on that next project overseas or across the border. [Intermediate] [FC/R] [PD]

SPEAKERS: Bruce Rhoades LEED AP, is director of interiors for KlingStubbins in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ” Sarah Springer, IIDA, LEED AP, is design principal of interiors for KlingStubbins in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

TRADING PLACES: THE IMPACT OF HIGH DENSITY TECHNOLOGY ON SPACE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Monday, June 11 — 1- 2 PM

Gain knowledge on trading desk/bench design and how it relates to accommodating an extensive list of technology and how to best position the process. Establish how to contain technology within and above the desk while ensuring mechanical infer structure requirements and ergonomic needs. Discover why designing furniture as a central element to the project needs to be injected into the schedule at an early stage and learn how to accomplish it. Realize how to solve issues related to inherent conflicts within the design brief. [Intermediate] [FT]

SPEAKERS; Charles Braham, president of Innovant, Inc. in New York, New York. — Charles DuTemple, CCNA, CNE, CAN, is senior associate, technology systems for ESD in Chicago, Illinois — Joseph DuTemple, IEEE, BICSI, is vice president, electronic trading for ESD in Chicago, Illinois

PRESCRIPTION FOR PATIENT SAFETY: DESIGN�S IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE EDUCATION AND CAREGIVER DELIVERY

Monday, June 11 — 2:30 — 3:30 PM

Hear about the creation of state-of-the-art facilities that offer comprehensive education and simulation training solutions. Learn why the spaces represent the future of healthcare building and how their flexible design unites people, place, processes and performance to strengthen healthcare delivery. Learn how to integrate elastic capacity, adaptive capability, and future scalability into healthcare design to prepare for a growing population of users and to accommodate the latest in advanced technology. Discover firsthand from a caregiver on the front lines how healthcare facilities can accommodate training within a smaller, more adjustable footprint. See how a collaborative design approach can help address core needs early on in a project, and how to shift equipment and environment decisions later in the process to avoid design costs or freezing solutions too soon. [Basic] [HC]

SPEAKERS: Deanne Beckwith, IDSA, is an industrial designer and design management consultant with Herman Miller, Inc./Herman Miller Healthcare in Norfolk, Virginia. — Dr. Yuri Milo, AIMS, SSIH, ACS, is director of the simulation and training environment lab for SiTEL in Washington, D.C.

DESIGN FOR INNOVATION: AMGEN WORKPLACE FOR THE FUTURE PILOT PROJECT

Monday, June 11 — 4 — 5 PM

Is the workplace still relevant? It’s a question top companies are asking themselves as they struggle to engage an increasingly mobile, multi-generational and culturally diverse workforce. Follow the story of one such company who met the challenge head-on. Gain key insights into the strategies driving next generation workplace design. Understand the key drivers of innovation, collaboration and creativity that are most important to today’s top performing companies. Explore design strategy as a tool to link workplace design with worker performance. Discover how alternative project delivery processes can streamline creativity and create true client value. [Advanced] [OF]

SPEAKERS: Chris Coldoff, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, is a senior associate at Gensler in Santa Monica, California. — Barbara Bouza, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal at Gensler in Santa Monica, California. — Greg Nelson, IIDA, is an associate for Gensler in Santa Monica, California.

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE CAMPUS: THE INTERSECTION OF EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN, LEED FOR HEALTHCARE AND WORLD CLASS OBJECTIVES

Monday, June 11 — 4 — 5 PM

Design guidelines are often lengthy and complex, and sometimes contradictory. Critical care environments, such as hospitals and clinics, add more layers of requirements. Learn how the military health system's world class guidelines, the US Army Medical Command's sustainability vision, LEED for Healthcare, USGBC Pilot Credits and evidence-based design methodology merged to create a vision for a whole-campus approach to healthcare design. Gain insight into how the research was used to develop solutions for energy, water, waste, and infection control. Hear how EBD groups were formed, and understand how the development of these solutions influenced an organizational culture shift toward long-term optimization of patient care, staff care and sustainable facility management. Understand how research is used to support and inform the project on the use of antimicrobials, their implications for infection control and human environmental health. [Intermediate] [HC] [ENV]

SPEAKERS: Jean Hansen, FIIDA, CID, LEED AP BD+C, AAHID, EDAC, is sustainable interiors manager for HDR Architecture, Inc. in San Francisco, California. — Susan Donkers, LEED AP BD+C, is sustainable design project manager for HDR Architecture, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia. ” Barbara Dellinger, AAHID, IIDA, CID, EDAC, is director of healthcare interiors for HDR Architecture, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia.

SOCIAL COLLABORATION; BUILDING A COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND SHARED PURPOSE

Tuesday, June 12 — 9:30 ” 10:30 AM

Good ideas come from building a collective intelligence and shared purpose. As our culture becomes device-based (phones, tablets, apps, etc.), what happens to the intersection of knowledge, work and space? Discuss the significance of a device-based culture and how it impacts the workplace. Explore how technology fuels social collaboration and its role in organizational and individual performance. Learn the changing ways in which space’responding to constant critique, conversation and debate�can become critical as an incubator for the generation of great ideas and innovation. [Intermediate] [OF]

SPEAKERS: Jim Thompson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is director of design for Little in Charlotte, North Carolina. ” Carol Rickard-Brideau, AIA, LEED AP BD + C, is office president of Little in Arlington, Virginia.

SPEAKERS: ENVISIONING ADAPTATION: DESIGN AS A BRIDGE TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Tuesday, June 12 — 9:30 ” 10:30 AM

Are we simply solving today’s problems, or truly designing for the future? Starting now, we must design for both today’s volatile market and a future that we can only assume will treat energy and waste differently than we do. For sustainability to have real traction in the world of interior furniture, fixtures and finishes, we need to perform exceptionally in today’s competitive market, and avoid obsolescence and landfill in an unknown future. Hear about he debunked “flexibility” myth. Learn how to create core strength for true adaptability and sustainability. Find out how to create and specify more open-ended solutions that address both current program and change with out disposal. And then get the talking points that share the ideas beautifully with your clients. [Intermediate] [OF] [ENV]

Jennifer Busch, Hon. IIDA, is vice president of A&D market development for InterfaceFLOR in New York, New York. ” Louis Schump, LEED AP, is a senior associate at HOK in San Francisco, California. ” Scott Francisco is founding director of Pilot Projects in New York, New York.

FOSSIL: WHAT VINTAGE ARE YOU? GET INSPIRED BY A BRANDED GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS

Tuesday, June 12 — 11AM ” NOON

Hear about the new home of Fossil, a global watch, clothing and fashion accessory company. Discover the many exciting opportunities and daunting challenges this team explored in transforming two late modern structures into a remarkable, creative-collaborative environment. See how a brand image influences that environment. Follow the client/design team relationship through the process and recognize it as the basis for success. Learn how true collaboration, including the role of the manufacturer, Knoll in this instance, is vital to a design’s successful implementation. [Intermediate] [OF]

SPEAKERS: Stephen Park, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, is design lead of Corgan in Dallas, Texas. ” Lindsay Wilson, RID, IIDA, LEED AP, is principal at Corgan Associates in Dallas, Texas. ” Jill Elliot-Sones is vice president and creative director for Fossil in Richardson, Texas.

RE-IMAGINING THE UNITED NATIONS: FINN JUHL'S TRUSTEESHIP CHAMBER

Tuesday, June 12 — 11AM ” NOON

The United Nations Capital Master Plan presents a collection of preservation problems that constitutes, when taken together, a microcosm of preservation issues related to mid-century modern architecture. The Trusteeship Council Chamber remains one of the iconic spaces at the UN Headquarters despite many changes to the programmatic function and interior. The current preservation project strives to balance past and future. Hear the specifics about the latest advancements in state of the art technology and how they’re being used in this historic space in seamless fashion. See one approach to difficult space planning that upholds accessibility clearances and at the same time increases seat count and preserves sight lines. Get one team’s take on how to strike a balance between the need for modern interventions and the character of an important and sensitive mid-century modern space. [Basic] [FC/R]

SPEAKERS: Mary Burke, AIA, IIDA, is a principal at Burke Design & Architecture PLLC in New York, New York. — Anthony Cohn, AIA, LEED AP, is design principal at EYP Architecture & Engineering in New York, New York. ” Kasper Salto is a partner and product designer for Salto & Sigsgaard in Copenhagen, Denmark.

ALAPHABET SOUP or GREEN CLAIMS THAT MATTER FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW

Tuesday, June 12 — 1 — 2 PM

Scrutiny of products” environmental claims has never been greater. The FTC, GAS and EPA are looking to regulate “green,” while groups like the Green Products Roundtable (GPR) and The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) are working to define it. Get the right information to navigate the increasingly complex and rapidly changing requirements of environmental claims and communication. Find out how the regulations being developed by the EPA and GSA around EO 13514 and the revisions to the FTC Green Guides will alter the green products marketplace in the U.S. Discuss what groups like the GPR and TSC are doing to define a green product and how to get involved. Finally, learn how to appropriately communicate a product’s green claim to maximize its acceptance with government and institutional purchasers as well as consumers. [Intermediate] [ENV]

SPEAKERS: Mark Rossolo, LEED AP, is director of public affairs for GREENGUARD Environmental Institute in Marietta, Georgia.

THE NEW FACE OF CAMPBELL

Tuesday, June 12 — 2:30 PM ” 3:30 PM

Follow the case study of an extraordinary project, chosen for many design awards including LEED NC Silver. Explore the challenges faced when a team was recreating the 85,000 square footworkplace of a legendary company whose products for many decades have been a staple in every kitchen in America. Hear how Campbell and its partners organized support and advocacy by senior management and employees undergoing significant change in how they work, including transparent change management with clear communications throughout. From their holistic workplace evaluation to their early and continual practice of inclusion and re-evaluation, learn the incredible steps taken to ensure success. And you can use the information for your own future overhaul projects. See how to organize teams, plan the communication, conduct surveys to inform your design, and how to create value for owners as you go. [Intermediate] [OF][ENV]

SPEAKERS: Amy Manley, IIDA, is director of workplace strategies for KlingStubbins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. — Beth Jolly is director and CEO of communications of Campbell Soup Company in Camden, New Jersey. ” Tracy Brower is director of Herman Miller in Zeeland, Michigan.

GREEN BUILDINGS AND SUSTAINABLE GOALS

Tuesday, June 12 — 2:30 ” 3:30 PM

The growing practice of building green and establishing sustainability goals is driving the need to better understand the differences between conventional construction and the use of modular interiors. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of both. Using client case studies and One Haworth Center, global headquarters of Haworth Inc. as examples, examine specific approaches and applications to understand and quantify the benefits of an integrated project delivery. Explore the benefits and advantages of designing and installing modular interiors in the pursuit of building green and sustainable facilities. Use examples of other LEED projects to understand the benefits of designing this way. [Intermediate] [ENV]

SPEAKER: Steven Kooy is the global sustainability manager for Haworth, Inc. in Holland, Michigan.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY ANIMATION DEPARTMENT: A CASE STUDY

Tuesday, June 12 — 2:30 ” 3:30 PM

The renovation of LMU’s animation department focuses on the power of the space in between classrooms as a meaningful and contributive learning environment. See how the design team applied proven workplace trends to this education project, and leveraged multi-disciplinary design intelligence and long-term campus relationships. Use the LMU project example to analyze ways that workplace trends and research can be applied to educational projects. Learn how a multi-disciplinary design process contributed to project success. And consider how different modes of hand-on learning can be facilitated in both classrooms and social settings. [Intermediate] [INST]

SPEAKERS: Charrisse Johnston, ASID, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA, is an associate at Gensler in Los Angeles, California. ” Shawn Gehle, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, is design director of Gensler in Los Angeles, California.

THE ERGONOMICS OF LIGHTING FOR OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS

Tuesday, June 12 — 2:30 ” 3:30 PM

Dual-source lighting schemes can boost worker comfort and productivity while optimizing energy use for tangible cost savings. Through case studies, review how lighting needs vary from person to person and get guidelines for optimal, energy saving lighting levels that are healthy and comfortable. Get key strategies for improving visual comfort and health. Build your toolkit for reducing energy consumption while increasing work surface illumination. And understand the psychological benefits of providing individual control over personal lighting levels. Leave with much sharper skills you can use in your next office environment project. [Intermediate] [LT][OF]

SPEAKER: Claire Ganley is an AEP with Humanscale/UNICOR in Washington, D.C.

ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS IN HEALTHCARE

Tuesday, June 12 — [4:00 ” 5:00 PM]

The thoughtful design and incorporation of signage, wayfinding and artwork in a healthcare environment can greatly enhance the patient experience. Evidence suggests that environmental graphics and signage provide a “positive distraction,” calming and nurturing patients and families who are dealing with illness. Learn how environmental graphics contribute to a successful healing environment. Explore the way in which artwork can reinforce design concepts and branding. And see how signage, when executed creatively, can transcend its utilitarian purpose. [Intermediate] [HC][FM]

SPEAKERS: Paul Lewandowski, AIA, IIDA, NCARB, LEED AP, is a principal at SMRT in Portland, Maine. ” Erin Anderson, IIDA, LEED AP, NCIDQ, is director of interior design for SMRT in Portland, Maine.

COLOMBIA: AN EMERGING COUNTRY IN SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

Tuesday, June 12 — 4 — 5 PM

One of today’s key objectives is to establish clear environmental commitments in construction. And creating urban languages and urban understanding to reduce the negative impact on the environment must be balanced with the aesthetic elements of design, where color and spatial harmony are relevant variables in the equation. Come discuss the importance of environmental sustainability in the construction practices of a responsible country as a whole. Promote the creation of functional and aesthetic spaces that improve people’s quality of life. Discover that environmental social responsibility is more than a fashion: it is a culture. [Intermediate] [FC/R] [ENV]

SPEAKERS: Marta Gallo, USGBC, is an architect at Arquitectura e Interiores in Bogota, Colombia. ” Juliana general director and partner of Arquitectura e Interiores in Bogota, Colombia.

FINDING THE INTERSECTION

Wednesday, June 13 — 9:30 ” 10:30 AM

Borrowing from Fran’s Johansson’s “The Medici Effect,” we know that the Intersection is the place where innovation happens. At the Intersection, dissimilar disciplines come together, borrowing ideas from each other to solve problems and create new ideas. Come rethink current education and workplace environments so we can support cross-pollination of ideas that leads to innovation. Learn how research in one discipline has the ability to inform creativity and innovation in another. Explore how the increasingly complex challenges of our global world require multi-disciplinary, cross-generational and collaborative solutions in order to be competitive. The panel will also discuss the role that space plays in both educational and workplace environments in supporting the Intersection. [Intermediate] [OF]

SPEAKERS: Tomas Eliaeson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a director of design of Little in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Jim Thompson, AIA, LEED AP, is a director of design for Little in Charlotte, North Carolina.

BEST PRACTICES FOR THE DESIGN OF LEARNING SPACES, FURNITURE AND TOOLS IN THE 21^ST CENTURY: A REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND CASE STUDIES

Wednesday, June 13 — 11 AM ” NOON

Educational facilities design and development research leaders share extensive research and insight into how space and furniture can accommodate the shift in modern teaching and learning methodologies. They’ll discuss best practices for the design of effective learning environments. You’ll learn how to support changing teaching and learning methodologies with furniture and the built environment and understand best practice design patterns for the 21^st century school. This session covers the research from the four year Task Furniture in Education (TFE) project in Dublin and the practice of the 5D process: discover, define, design, develop and deploy. Become empowered with the keys to revolutionize learning environments and teaching experiences through space, furniture and educational tools for this century. [Basic] [Inst]

SPEAKERS: Jennifer Lamar is a senior interior design consultant with Fielding Nair International in Tampa, Florida. — Kelli Ogboke is a senior design researcher for Fielding Nair International in Dublin, Ireland.

For more information to register for seminars, visit www.neocon.com.

The 44^th annual NeoCon, the National Exposition of Contract Furnishings, is North America’s largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment. NeoCon features the latest trends, products, and concepts in office, healthcare, hospitality, residential, institutional and government environments from more than 700 exhibitors. Approximately 40,000 trade professionals are expected to attend.

Registration is now available at www.neocon.com. NeoCon attendees are encouraged to pre-register by June 4th to save time and money. As part of an effort to increase online pre-registration, attendees who register at www.neocon.com by June 4th will be admitted into the show at no charge. Attendees who wait to register on-site will be charged $25 for a show badge.

For more information about NeoCon, visit the www.neocon.com or call (800) 677-6278 (MART).

Outside of the United States call (312) 527-7600. NeoCon is only open to trade professionals with proper credentials.

NeoCon” is a registered trademark of MMPI.

3.12.12 | Chicago, IL | Continuing what has become a yearly custom since 2000, Allsteel Inc. and IIDA are partnering to sponsor the keynote speaker at NeoCon, Monday, June 11. Former Mayor Richard M. Daley whose leadership helped make Chicago one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world, headlines this opening event.

“It’s an honor to have a hand in hosting such revered and influential speakers each year at NeoCon,” said Kris Yates, vice president of marketing at Allsteel. “Mayor Daley’s legacy in urban sustainability offers up so many valuable lessons for both current and future development, so his presentation is one that we anticipate will resonate strongly with conference attendees.”

The longest-serving mayor in Chicago’s history with a 22-year tenure, Daley earned an international reputation as a leading innovator in urban development, fiscal policy and government stewardship. He pioneered a model of successful public-private partnerships that established Chicago as the benchmark for

long-term sustainable economic urban growth. It was under his administration, as well, that Chicago emerged as a prominent player in the 21^st century global economy. Daley is current chairman of the Global Cities Initiative, speaks internationally on the issue of sustainable urban development, and advises global leaders on building the cities of tomorrow.

The opening keynote address with Daley is set for 8 a.m. on June 11^th, at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza’s Sauganash Ballroom.

1.23.12 | Chicago, IL | The 44th annual NeoCon, the National Exposition of Contract Furnishings, is North America’s largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment. NeoCon features the latest design trends, products, and concepts in office, healthcare, hospitality, residential, institutional and government interior environments from more than 700 showrooms and exhibitors.

NeoCon offers the most comprehensive conference schedule in the industry with

more than 120 CEU-accredited seminars, industry association forums, and keynote presentations. The NeoCon conference covers a wide range of subjects and topics in the following educational tracks: Office Design: Dealer Strategies; Environmental Design; Facilities Construction & Renovation; Facilities Technology; Facilities Management; Healthcare Design; Hospitality Design; Institutional Design; Lighting Design; Professional Development; Residential Design and Senior Housing. Many of the seminars presented will qualify for Health, Safety and Welfare certification requirements.

WHO: More than 40,000 trade professionals are expected to attend NeoCon 2012, including: architects, interior designers, facility managers, space planners, dealers/distributors, manufacturers/reps, corporate real estate executives, office managers, purchasing managers, project managers, press and students.

WHERE: Encompassing 1 million square-feet of exhibition space on 10 floors of The Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

PRODUCTS: Thousands of commercial furnishings products and services will debut at

NeoCon, such as: architectural products; artwork and accessories; building products and services; fabric; floor coverings; furniture; kitchen and bath; lighting; outdoor furniture; stone and tile; technology; textiles; and wall coverings.

WHEN: 9 a.m. — 5 p.m., June 11 — 13, 2012

REGISTRATION: Registration will be available in March, 2012.

WEB SITE: www.neocon.com

TELEPHONE: (800) 677-6278 (MART) in the United States or (312) 527-7600 if calling from outside the United States.

4.9.12 | Chicago, IL | Verda Alexander and Primo Orpilla, co-founders of San Francisco-based design firm O+A, are scheduled to co-deliver a keynote speech for NeoCon 2012, North America’s largest contract furnishings trade show. They will address NeoCon attendees on Tuesday, June 12 at 8 a.m. in the Sauganash Ballroom, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Sponsored by OFS Brands and the ASID, this keynote program is free to attend, open to trade professionals only, and merits 0.1 CEU credit.

“Anyone who has had the privilege of hearing Verda and Primo speak knows that NeoCon attendees are in for an insightful and revealing presentation," said Mike Wagner, senior vice president of sales and marketing for OFS Brands. “Change in the workplace is at warp speed. “Many of the world's most innovative companies are seeking guidance from O+A to design work-life environments which help revolutionize corporate cultures and ultimately improve creativity and efficiency for a more agile organization. “I’m confident that attendees will leave this presentation both inspired and enlightened after hearing what Verda and Primo believe are key elements for designing the most successful and creative environments in business today. OFS Brands is truly honored to join the ASID in co-sponsoring this keynote program.”

5.9.12 | Houston, TX | Built environment professionals from around the world will meet in Singapore at the Raffles City Convention Centre July 25-27, 2012, for the International Facility Management Association’s second annual World Workplace Asia Conference & Expo.

Singapore is developing rapidly as a dynamic global city and international hub for facility management. It’s projected that by 2020, 2.2 billion people will live in Asian cities. Forward-thinking infrastructure planning and facility management solutions are therefore critical to meeting the residential, commercial, energy and transportation needs the region’s growth requires.

World Workplace Asia 2012 – Singapore will offer attendees a unique international perspective on facility management and provide valuable resources to support them in meeting the demands of their facilities and organizations. Attendees will contribute to a dialogue on facility management trends in Asia while taking advantage of international networking opportunities and promoting greater awareness of facility management issues affecting today’s global economy.

The two-and-a-half-day event begins Wednesday, July 25, with a town hall discussion on the association’s strategic initiatives led by Mike Moss, IFMA chief operating officer, who will be joined by Jon Seller, incoming first vice chair of the IFMA board of directors. The event will provide a forum for members to engage IFMA leadership on the association’s current and future direction. The town hall meeting will run concurrently with green site facility tours of some of Singapore’s most innovative properties.

Thursday, July 26, will mark the first full day of the conference, which will begin with a welcome address and panel discussion on Asia-Pacific facility management featuring representatives from IFMA and the Building Construction Authority of Singapore. BCA is an agency of the Singapore government that champions the development of an excellent built environment in Singapore. Other local government representatives and built environment experts will also take part in the discussion.

The World Workplace Asia 2012 – Singapore expo, featuring diverse facility-related products and services, will open the morning of July 26. Educational sessions will also be held throughout the day on topics including: building information modeling and facility management; the future of corporate real estate; an overview of the office real estate market in the Asia-Pacific region; and the transition of companies in China from traditional property management to facility management business. Representatives from FM:Systems, Jones Lang LaSalle, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and others will present.

The final day of the conference, Friday, July 27, will open with the keynote presentation “Upside Down World: Leadership in the Emerging Markets” by speaker Steven Sonsino, author, business school professor, and founder and CEO of the Tomorrow Leaders Institute. Sonsino will explain how the global economy has shifted, putting China and the Asia-Pacific region front and center, and how the context of leadership in emerging markets is radically different from that of developed economies, making a new approach crucial.

Educational sessions on Friday will cover topics including: case studies on greening your workplace; high-performance buildings and high-performance facility management; how to make facility management partnerships work in the Asia-Pacific region; the six Ps of facility management: what every facility manager needs to know; and the strategic role of facility management in business performance. Representatives from Facility Engineering Associates, the National University of Singapore, Siemens, the University College of London and others will present.

The World Workplace Asia 2012 – Singapore expo will remain open throughout the day Friday. The conference will conclude with a gala dinner that evening. IFMA will also offer a post-conference Certified Facility Manager^® exam review course July 28-29.

"Successfully driving long-term sustainable value for employers and clients requires a strategic, holistic approach. If you are in the business of supporting the built environment, I invite you to learn, connect and advance at IFMA's World Workplace Asia,” said Marc S. Liciardello, CFM, MBA, CM, vice president of corporate services at ARAMARK and incoming chair of the IFMA board of directors. “Learn by selecting the educational sessions that meet your business needs. Connect with speakers and like-minded professionals to expand your network. And advance by sharing and receiving professional education that will increase your success in Asia and throughout the world.”

Presented in partnership with BCA and the Singapore Chapter of IFMA, World Workplace Asia 2012 – Singapore is modeled after IFMA's flagship World Workplace Conference & Expo and backed by 30 years of IFMA knowledge, experience and commitment to quality. The event will welcome facility practitioners and solutions providers from all over the world, representing aspects of the work environment including: facility management, real estate, information technology, human resources, engineering, architecture, design, security and other related industries.

To learn more about World Workplace Asia 2012 – Singapore or to register, visit www.worldworkplace.org/asia. Members of the media may register at no cost by emailing communications@ifma.org.

3.14.12 | Houston, TX | The International Facility Management Association is pleased to announce the selection of Guy Kawasaki and Frank Abagnale as keynote speakers for the association’s World Workplace 2012 Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas.

Held Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, World Workplace attracts thousands of attendees from across the globe, bringing business and government leaders together with educators and exhibitors to focus on the future of the workplace.

Former Apple “chief evangelist” Kawasaki will deliver the conference’s opening keynote presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 31. A renowned venture capitalist, blogger and New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, Kawasaki played a pivotal role in marketing Apple’s Macintosh computers during the company’s success in the 1980s. After developing companies of his own, he returned to Apple in 1995 and was named an Apple Fellow.

Kawasaki will deliver the opening keynote presentation, entitled “The Art of Innovation,” in which he calls upon his experience at Apple and his study of world-class companies to outline the strategic steps necessary to create new products and services, innovate, set new standards of excellence and change the world. Kawasaki will also conduct a book signing for World Workplace attendees prior to his presentation.

"Smart facility management means embracing innovation — and true innovation takes guts — so don't get flustered when acceptance comes slowly,” said Kawasaki. “My message to World Workplace 2012 attendees is to remember that innovation is not an event, but a process. Don't be afraid to jump ahead of the curve, or invent the next curve, and set your goals high.”

Abagnale will deliver the conference’s closing keynote on Friday, Nov. 2. One of the world’s most preeminent authorities on secure documents, forgery and embezzlement, he has worked with the FBI for more than 30 years and advised hundreds of financial institutions, corporations, and government and law enforcement agencies around the world.

Abagnale is known to many for his autobiography “Catch Me if You Can,” which details his time as the world’s most famous con man in the 1960s. He successfully posed as an airline pilot, attorney, college professor and doctor — all while cashing in US$2.5 million in forged checks — before finally being apprehended and serving time in the French, Swedish and U.S. prison systems=2E Abagnale’s life story was made into a film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken in 2002.

"I am truly delighted and honored to be selected as a keynote speaker for IFMA’s World Workplace conference,” said Abagnale. “My presentation will cover my life from the time I ran away at 16 and impersonated an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer, until my apprehension at 21. I will take my audience on an entertaining, enlightening journey and bring them full circle to where life has brought me today — 40 years later.”

Early registration for World Workplace 2012 is available through Aug. 23. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit www.worldworkplace.org. Members of the media may register at no cost by emailing communications@ifma.org.

11.14.11 | Atlanta, GA | The 2013 edition of LIGHTFAIR^® International, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, will take place April 23-25, 2013 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Staged alternately annually on the West Coast and the East Coast, LFI returns to Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2013 following a record-breaking 2011 performance marked by the highest attendee satisfaction scores in the show’s 22-year history. In independent studies conducted by the research firm Moore & Symons, those attending LFI 2011 in Philadelphia gave the show top scores in product quality, depth and selection; new product introductions; educational and network offerings; and the overall event experience. The Pennsylvania Convention Center received high marks for ease of access, convenience, availability of on-site and adjacent food services, and other key advantages.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center affords LFI 2013 exhibitors and attendees a venue well-suited to the unique requirements of its Conference and Trade Show, which in the 2011 Philadelphia event saw more than 23,000 registered attendees. The Pennsylvania Convention Center encompasses more than one million square feet of exhibit hall facilities, creating the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast.

“With customer satisfaction levels reaching historic highs in the record-breaking 2011 showing, LIGHTFAIR’s 2013 return to Philadelphia sets a new stage for continuing growth,” notes Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of LFI managing partner AMC, Inc. “It’s a natural response to preferences clearly voiced by LFI attendees and offers LFI exhibitors a staging venue unmatched in size, scale and potential,” Portman adds.

In further study conducted by Moore & Symons, LFI exhibitors say they are ready to return to Philadelphia in 2013, where Pennsylvania Convention Center Halls A—E will host what is projected to be an all-time record showing of the world’s largest annual commercial and architectural lighting event.

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s contiguous, single-level exhibit hall, together with easily accessible, affordable hotels and a large variety of on-site and nearby food options were huge factors in LFI’s 2011 success,” notes William Hanley, executive vice president of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

As in the LFI 2011 staging, the Pennsylvania Convention Center affords LFI 2013 a unified space in an expansive environment well-suited to the unique demands of the Trade Show and Conference, which collectively occupied more than 200,000 netsquare feet of space.

“LIGHTFAIR in Philadelphia set the new bar for performance excellence,” adds Marsha Turner, executive vice president of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). “Our return in 2013 will hold us to that new higher standard and promises attendees and exhibitors what we believe will be an incomparable show experience.”