1.26.10 | New York, NY | On Criticism inaugurates a new series of small group discussions on a variety of topics in architecture culture organized around the Long Table in the League's new offices. Long Table programs will be limited to twenty participants and will be announced via @theLeague.

Herbert Muschamp: Hearts of the City, Monday, February 8
Ada Louise Huxtable: On Architecture, Monday, March 8
Paul Goldberger: Building Up and Tearing Down, Monday, April 5

All three programs begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Architectural League
594 Broadway, Suite 607

In the past year, published collections of articles by three of the most significant architecture critics in the United States--Paul Goldberger, Ada Louise Huxtable, and Herbert Muschamp--have reinvigorated a debate about the purposes and forms of architectural criticism. In this series of informal reading groups, selected articles by each of these three critics will shape conversations about different approaches to criticism, the role of critics in shaping architectural discourse, and the relationship between critics, the profession, and the public.

Organized in conjunction with Urban Omnibus and its series of posts, On Criticism.

Reservations are required and limited to League members only. Please note that each conversation will be limited to twenty participants. To reserve a space for February 8, email rsvp@archleague.org. Please note that priority reservations for future sessions will be given to attendees on February 8.

1.29.10 | New York, NY | The Center for Architecture, 536 La Guardia Place, NYC, will host Architecture from Spain and Cutting-Edge Green Solutions February 8, 9:30 am-1:30 pm.

The Government of Spain brings you the opportunity to meet two world-famous Spanish architects and learn about the cutting-edge technology developed for the Spanish National Museum of Energy, a leading national sustainable architectural project. Contract opportunities and offerings in other industrial sectors, such as Hospitality & Home Equipment, Interior Design and the Natural Stone Industry, will also be addressed.

Attend the half-day program of free seminars, workshops, and networking to learn about exciting Spanish projects and increase your business contacts.

Castilla y León and Spain, your international opportunity.

Program
9:30am: Guest Registration and coffee
10:00am -11:30am: Event Conferences and Seminars
11:30am - Noon: Closing Remarks and Questions
Noon - 1:30pm: Networking with Spanish Tapas and Wines

Speakers:

Mr. David Cámara, President of Unex - AreaContract (Hospitality Equipment, Interior Design, and Home Equipment Entrepreneurs Association) www.areacontract.com

"Business Opportunities with Habitat and Contract's Industry in Castilla y León"

1. Introduction.
2. Habitat and Contract Industry Description.
3. Main Values.
4. Business Opportunities.
5. Conclusion.


Mrs. Sonia Para, Vice President of PINACAL (Castilla y León Natural Stone Manufacturers Association) www.pinacal.es.

"Castilla y León, a Universe of Natural Stone" M
 2. Extraction and Manufacturing Methods - Sustainability.
3. Sustainable Architecture Development. From the Quarries to Finished Projects. Cladding Techniques and Stressing Ventilated Façade.
- 4. Business Opportunities.
- 5. Conclusion.

Mr. Juan I. Barroso, Department of National Heritage, Culture and Art Head (Castilla y León Government) www.turismocastillayleon.com.

"Castilla y León National, Industrial and Property Heritage"

1. Castilla y León: About.
2. Heritage Strategic Management Plan (PAHIS 2004-2012)
3. From Archeology to Urban Development.
4. Castilla y León Architecture. Highlights.
5. Conclusion.


Mr. Miguel A. Alonso / Rufino Hernández, Heads of AH Asociados Architects www.ahasociados.com.

"Descubriendo", a Prize-winning, Bioclimatic and Energy-Efficient Architectural Project for the National Museum of Energy - CIUDEN Foundation.

1. CIUDEN: About the Foundation.
2. CIUDEN: The Architectural Project.
3. CIUDEN: Energetic Solutions - Bioclimatic & Energy Efficient Architecture.
4. Other Sustainable Projects and "Green" Materials.
5. Conclusion.

11.5.09 | Dubai, UAE |  Allsteel Inc.’s Keri Luly will present the keynote address to kickoff the conference lineup at The Office Exhibition 2010, February 9-11, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

As Sustainability Programs Manager, Luly is responsible for environmental strategy and initiatives at Allsteel, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of workplace solutions. This will be Luly’s second time presenting at the exhibition and Allsteel’s fifth consecutive year as an exhibitor. She will discuss the meaning and benefits of sustainability and its role in the lives of manufacturers, designers, developers and consumers.

Since Luly joined Allsteel in 2006, she has advised on LEED projects and helped implement the company’s comprehensive sustainability goals. In addition, she contributes regularly to “EnvironDesign Notebook,” a column featured in Interiors & Sources, a leading American contract design publication. Previously, Luly ran a sustainability consultancy in the U.S. and Asia, and also worked for 16 years for the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. She holds a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

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About Allsteel Inc.

Allsteel Inc., which is headquartered in Muscatine, IA, designs, builds and delivers workplace furniture solutions. The company holds firm to a belief that there’s always a better way to improve efficiency and foster teamwork…another possibility to find solutions that increase the bottom line and deliver long-term value…a new opportunity to help a business be more effective. Allsteel has distinguished itself with award-winning products such as Acuity seating, Align workstations, Merge conferencing tables, and Stride, its latest workplace solution that’s designed to evolve with the needs of a business. Allsteel was the first office furniture manufacturer to have all products certified either Indoor Advantage or Indoor Advantage Gold, and the majority of the line can contribute to LEED-CI credits. The company has Resource Centers in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Washington, D.C., and Toronto, ON. For additional information, visit www.allsteeloffice.com.

1.28.10 | Santa Monica, CA | Coalesse will host an event for its NeoCon award winning EMU Advanced Collection on February 10, 6-9 pm.

Who: Coalesse
What: View the entire NeoCon award winning EMU Advanced Collection
When: Wednesday, February 10th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Where: Steelcase/Coalesse Showroom
1217 2nd Street Santa Monica, CA 90401

RSVP: Please RSVP by February 4th to: coalesseevents@coaless.com

THINK OUTSIDE THE ROOF
You’re invited to view a whole new attitude of indoor/outdoor thinking. See our NeoCon award winning EMU Advanced Collection. Five brilliant designers. One mandate: Work at the next level.

Coalesse’s latest additions to the EMU Advanced Collection are the new Ivy stacking chairs and tables designed by Paola Navone. Ivy is an indoor/outdoor lounge collection made entirely of steel that comes in 3colors: Turquoise, Orange and White. The collection features new seat and backrest cushions available in our full fabric line including 12 outdoor-approved fabrics.

The Ivy collection also includes square and rectangularcoffee tables in various sizes, along with a rounded ottoman. The rectangular tables feature legs in ironed sheet metal with a rod frame and can be customized with 32 handmade and hand-painted Deruta tiles in enameled terracotta. The tiles feature either a gold fish on a turquoise background or a black bug on a white background.

1.15.10 |  New York, NY | Reaching a significant milestone marking the success of its first year, Leadership, Mentoring, Networking & Opportunity for A&D Professionals, known as LMNOP, invites the A&D community to join us on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The Mohawk Group, located at 71 West 23 Street, New York, NY, will host the celebration from 6-8:30 pm.

LMNOP is a New York City-based professional development and networking society organized by and for those within the architecture and design (A&D) community whereby members can connect, support, and mentor each other. The group started as a response to the recent economic crisis and has quickly evolved into a vital, formalized organization that reaches across all occupations within the A&D industry. LMNOP provides personal, hands-on training, workshops and mentoring opportunities to nurture leadership skills for the industry's leaders of tomorrow. LMNOP's mission is to strengthen design professionals with the business skills required to remain competitive and relevant in the industry.

LMNOP's accomplishments over the past year have been powered by a group of highly dedicated volunteers, advisors, and leadership team led by founder and President Jennifer Graham, co-founder and Vice President Stephanie Chiuminatto, and directors Susan Donohoe and Kristen Mucci.

Additional support has come from manufacturers, vendors and allied organizations who have donated the use of facilities, expertise and direct contributions to support the mission and growth of the organization.

The celebration of our first year will also be the official start of the Mentor Program. The program's manager, Robert Cerretti, AIA and LEED AP, organizes the program's offerings including one-on-one mentoring in a range of subject areas as well as small group training. "We are excited about developing a flexible program where the mentorship experience can vary from one relationship to the next."

The Mentorship Program connects experienced professionals with colleagues that are striving to advance their career or enhance a particular skill. The broad range of mentoring topics will include improving technical skills, providing a resource for LEED and NCIDQ study groups, and professional guidance in areas such as presentation skills and design management. This program fulfills an integral LMNOP philosophy that Founder Jennifer Graham had envisioned when she established the organization one year ago. "My hope is that members will benefit by forming strong ties with other industry professionals, learn from the organization, and from their peers."

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LMNOP is currently fully incorporated, and its status as a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization is pending. The organization is actively expanding the professional development programs and educational activities to enhance the career development of members.

RSVP to this event by email at rsvp@lmnopnyc.org by February 10, 2009. A suggested contribution of $25 will be collected at the door. Funds from the event will support the development of all LMNOP programs.

Additional information about LMNOP can be found at www.lmnopnyc.org.

2.4.10 | San Francisco, CA | The American Institute of Architects, San Francisco chapter (AIA San Francisco) and Center for Architecture + Design Gallery will present Vertical Gardens, an exhibition on view February 18-April 30 at 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600, San Francisco. The show will reflect the emergence of green roofs and walls over the last decade to combat the lack of flora in the city. Vertical farms and gardens are also being envisioned as new ways to feed local and organic foods to city dwellers.

Largely based on the principles of hydroponics, vertical gardens are mostly self-sustaining because they capture large amounts of natural sunlight and water, and use wind as an energy source. The exhibition showcases architectural models, renderings, drawings, and photographs that depict or imagine a vertical farm, urban garden, or green roof.

1.14.10 | Chicago, IL | DIFFA/Chicago will hold its Grants Presentation, February 23, 5:30 pm, at the Chase Auditorium, 10 South Dearborn, Chicago, IL. The DIFFA/Chicago chapter distributes funds to Chicago area AIDS service agencies who assist individuals affected by AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. DIFFA/Chicago’s Excellence in Care Awards granting program has awarded over $2.5 million dollars since 1987. RSVP diffachicago.org

1.6.10 | Chicago, IL | The American Society of Interior Designers - Illinois Chapter (ASID-IL) today announces the date and program outline for its sixth annual Design Summit. The 2010 event -- with the theme of "Riding the Recession Rebound" -- features keynote speaker Gloria Jean, founder of Gloria Jean's Coffee. The one-day conference and exposition takes place on the 8th floor of The Merchandise Mart Design Center in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

"Many of our commercial and residential design members have reported a slight uptick in business over the last two quarters. Our goal at the Design Summit is to present ways to capture new business while serving current clients through 2010 and beyond,' said John P. Cialone, ASID of Tom Stringer Design Partners in Chicago.

Cialone adds, "We're happy to offer the same low price as last year, just $50 for ASID and IIDA members,  but with the additional opportunity to earn four CEU credits in a single day. That's a $300+ value."

Design Summit 2010 encompasses three popular ASID Illinois Chapter programs: Professional Development and Continuing Education, Student Career Day and an Expo Trade Show. It's a forum for knowledge-sharing among interior designers / practitioners, students and industry partners, while it also showcases new commercial and residential interior products and services.  

Open to all designers, students and vendors in the interior design industry, design students, educators and industry vendors, Design Summit 2010 features two inspirational keynote speakers and six CEU-accredited seminars to enhance specialized and / or business skills, career-building and networking interaction with design industry resource professionals.

New this year is the Toto Washlet Giveaway. Toto is the world's largest plumbing products manufacturer. Its "Washlet" is designed to introduce people to a level unprecedented comfort, while delivering on the promise of maximum cleanliness. At the user's command, an integrated, self-cleaning nozzle extends to release a warm, soothing stream of aerated water to provide the ultimate in personal cleansing.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Morning Session: "Leading your Firm to Profitability, While Enjoying Your Life"
Presenter: Juliana Catlin, FASID
An award-winning, nationally recognized leader in the field of interior design and architecture, Juliana Catlin has been an active member of ASID since the start of her career and was chosen to be a Fellow Member. Catlin served as National President of ASID, representing over 38,000 interior designers around the nation. She is also an active public speaker on interior design issues around the nation. Her firm, Catlin Design, has guided many clients through the design process in both commercial and residential design, with projects throughout the United States as well as abroad.

Midday Session: Gloria Jean, founder of Gloria Jean's Coffee
From her first small shop in Long Grove, Ill. in 1979 to the more than 1,000 worldwide locations today, entrepreneur Gloria Jean knows what it takes to take a business to the next level. She was one of the first women who "broke the glass ceiling", and today is an inspirational speaker addressing the challenges and advantages of running a successful company.

CEU-ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AND PRESENTERS:
Design Summit presents a total of six professional educational sessions, all of which are CEU-accredited. For a listing of times, please visit the ASID Web site: www.asidillinois.com .

"Changing Human Factors"
Presenter: A.J. Paron-Wildes of Allsteel

"Be Leading: On a Leading-edge Issue"
Presenter: Allan W. Smith of Steelcase, Inc.

"Understanding the Need for Home Technology"
Presenter: Robert Fabrinni of Nugget Enterprises and CEDIA (Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association)

"Green Plumbing Design"
Presenter: Michael Harrigan of Toto

"Creating Healthy Living Environments with New Paint Technology"
Presenter: Jason Walker of Benjamin Moore

"Demystifying Leather: Raw Material to Finished Hide"
Presenter: Jamie Stern of Texstyle Leather

STUDENT PROGRAM: "Professional Skills for Interior Design Students"
Time: 3 p.m.
Presenter: A.J. Paron-Wildes of Allsteel
Location: Riviera Furniture, Suite #341 (The Merchandise Mart, 3rd Floor)

EXPO
The 2010 Design Summit showcases design industry product and service resources, which seasoned designers and emerging talent will not want to miss. For a complete listing of Design Summit vendors, please visit www.asidillinois.com the first week of February.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. The keynote speaker begins at 9 a.m. with the Expo opening at 10 a.m. The Design Summit cost is $50 for ASID and IIDA design members (includes seminars, lunch, Expo); $75 for non-members; and $25 students with identification (includes seminars, lunch, Expo). There is no charge to visit the Expo only.

SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsorship opportunities and booth spaces are still available. To find out how to become a sponsor or to obtain booth space at the Design Summit, please call the ASID-IL office at 312-467-5080.

For more information about ASID-IL and the 2010 Design Summit, please visit www.asidillinois.com, or call the ASID Illinois Chapter headquarters at 312-467-5080.

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ABOUT THE "FIND A DESIGNER" SERVICE

The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers offers a free, convenient, user-friendly online service that consumers and business professionals can use to search for interior designers throughout the state. Find A Designer, available at www.asidillinois.com, allows site visitors to preview profiles of ASID-IL designers before contacting them for a project interview. The online service includes easy-to-navigate Web pages and designer profile pages, and the ability to search by location and designer specialty. Consumers have the ability to review as many designer profiles as they'd like and find out more about each designer, as well as view samples of their work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at their convenience.

About ASID:
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people,designers, industry representatives, educators and students,committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people's lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.  www.asid.org

The American Society of Interior Designers - Illinois Chapter (ASID-IL) is a non-profit professional association representing the interests of more than 1,600 Illinois interior designers, students and design industry partner members. Its vision is to be the voice of design in Illinois and to provide information through quality, timely communications, to educate its members and clients, and to expand and to support market expansion. The Chapter is lead by a volunteer board that includes the Chapter's president, president-elect, 5 directors and a student representative.

5.7.09 | New York, NY | Suzanne Tick is exhibiting some of her work in an upcoming show called InDisposed. 

InDisposed highlights the twin dichotomies defining contemporary design: sustainability versus wastefulness, and preciousness versus mass production. Although divergent in approach and aesthetic, both extremes—i.e. green design and limited-edition furnishings—reject throwaway culture to prioritize permanence over the ephemeral, while trashing the very idea of disposability. While it may be noble to conserve resources, save money, and consume less, one thing that should never be reused, recycled, or reduced is an idea. About 20 designers will be involved, including local and international talent, as well as architects, artists, and product designers.

The opening is Thursday May 14, 6-10pm.  The show runs May 15-20 at Studio X,  180 Varick Street, Suite 1610, NYC.

Gallery open to the public 10-6, closed Sunday.

May 15 – May 20, 2009
Opening night: Thursday, May 14
Studio-X, 180 Varick Street, Suite 1610, NYC

Gallery open to the public 10-6, closed Sunday, will feature:

ANDREA Ruggiero DESIGN
ADRIAN KONDRATOWICZ
ATEMA ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN GLUT
Tom Chiu
JEFF MILLER
JOHN POWERS
KEVIN PATRICK MCCARTHY
PAUL LOEBACH + CHRIS SPECCE
MIO
REDSTR COLLECTIVE + CHRIS CAO
CARLOS SALGADO / SCRAPILE
SITU STUDIO
SO TAKAHASHI DESIGN
SUZANNE TICK
TAKESHI MIYAKAWA
TOBIAS WONG
. . . AND MORE

2.1.10 | Chicago, IL | Premium office furniture distributorship, Interior Investments, will be hosting their 4th Annual Aeron Office Chair Hockey Tournament on Thursday, March 4, 2010.  More than 600 chair hockey players and spectators from the Architectural, Interior Design, Construction and Commercial Real Estate communities will go “chair to chair” in floor hockey rinks made from cubicle panels at Chicago’s Navy Pier, all to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. 

What began as a whimsical, “what if?” has quickly evolved into a major industry event. Office Chair Hockey allows the organizations responsible for building some of the most prestigious office and institutional spaces in Chicago to construct an atmosphere of friendly competition and generosity for one night.  Chairs typically hailed for their ergonomic virtues will be zipping around the floor of Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom, carrying one firm to ultimate Chair Hockey glory and bragging rights for the year.  “The Aeron Office Chair Hockey Tournament is an incredible example of people having fun while making a difference for others” says Doug Snyder, President and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois.

No matter who wins the tournament championship, the real winners are the Special Olympians of Illinois.  Funds raised from this event will be earmarked for the Special Olympics Illinois State Floor Hockey Tournament held every November in Chicago.  To date, more than $60,000 has been generated through the Interior Investments Aeron Office Chair Hockey Tournament thanks to the generosity of the participating teams, spectators and a long list of sponsors including many furniture manufacturers, vendors and subcontractors.

Interior Investments is as dedicated to making fantastic places to live as they are to making great places to work.  “Office Chair Hockey is a real family experience for our organization”, says Interior Investments’ principal Mike Greenberg. “Our employees contribute their time and talent to every facet of the event, serving as planners, greeters, referees, scorekeepers, and team managers for one special evening, and then again as volunteers at the Special Olympics Floor Hockey Tournament in the fall”. 

The Interior Investments 4th Annual Aeron Office Chair Hockey Tournament
Thursday, March 4, 2010
6:00 PM First Puck Drop
Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier
Prepare to “Face Off”!

For more information about the event visit www.aeronhockey.com

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About Interior Investments

Interior Investments is the fastest-growing commercial furniture distributorship in the Midwest with offices in Chicago, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Milwaukee, Madison and Saint Louis. Interior Investments is an award-winning dealer of Herman Miller products including the “design of the decade” Aeron chair, featured in Office Chair Hockey Tournament play. More than 220 Interior Investments employees are dedicated to providing full service facility management solutions to customers on a local, regional and national level, making the firm a catalyst for creating high performance, well-appointed professional environments, on time and on budget.  For more information, visit www.interiorinvestments.com.

Crain’s Chicago Business  2007 
“Fastest Fifty Growing Small Companies in Chicago”

Crain’s Chicago Business  2007 and 2008 
“300 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in Chicago”

Inc Magazine 2007 and 2008
“5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America”

Herman Miller 1997—2009
Certified Dealer Excellence Award

 
About Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois is a non-profit organization supported by donations and grants through private means.  During the early 1960s Eunice Kennedy Shriver had a dream to help those with intellectual disabilities live a more normal life through sports. Through determination and the hard work of many others the first Special Olympics competition was held at Soldier Field, Chicago in 1968.  With more than 180 countries participating in Special Olympics Programs and over 22,000 Special Olympic athletes training and competing throughout Illinois, the dream for so many to share their talents through sports lives on.  For more information, visit www.soill.org.

1.15.10 | Chicago, IL | The seventh annual "Mini-Masters at The Mart miniature golf tournament will take place Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Chicago's Merchandise Mart and benefits the Illinois Interior Design Coalition (IIDC). The evening event starts at 5:30 p.m. and concludes with a "19th Hole Party" at 10 p.m. IIDC is a not-for-profit legislative association that continues to protect the right to practice interior design in the State of Illinois. Membership activities are supported solely by individual and corporate contributions. This event is supported and led by both ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IIDA (International Interior Design Association) Illinois associations.

Hosted on the three contract floors of The Merchandise Mart (floors 3, 10 and 11) the festive night starts with teams of golf foursomes playing 18 holes of miniature golf designed by Chicago design firms and students. Three showroom-sponsored watering holes are available for golfers to rest, refresh and mingle. The event culminates with the ever-popular "19th Hole After-Party" with live music, food and drink.

"This is a benefit event for IIDC, which helps promote and protect Illinois-based registered interior designers' right to practice. It raises awareness of the importance of being a registered interior designer and that registered interior designers protect the health, safety and welfare of the public," said Jessica Henn, ASID-IL director for legislation and ethics and chair of the Mini-Masters benefit event. "This event has become a favorite spring kick-off party for the industry. We invite guests to get a team together and register early."

Sponsoring showrooms and their design teams will compete for the Mini-Master's "Dancing Gopher Award." Categories include Most Creative Hole Design, Best Use of Product, Peoples' Choice, and the popular Best-Dressed Foursome.

*EVENT DETAILS*

Date: Thursday, March 25, 2010

Location: The Merchandise Mart, Chicago (The Merchandise Mart is also a sponsor of the event)
Contract Floors 3, 10, and 11

Time: 5:30-6:00 p.m.: Registration on the 1st floor of the Mart
6:00-9:00 p.m.: Golfing on floors 3, 10 and 11
9:00-10:00 p.m.: 19th Hole After-Party

Tickets: $60 non-playing guests (advance purchase)
$75 non-playing guests (the week of the event)
$30 students of interior design, architecture and related fields (in advance)
$50 design students (the week of the event)

Foursome playing teams:
$300 per four-person team (advanced purchase)
$400 per four-person team (the week of the event)

Contact: To purchase tickets or for more information, please e-mail: minimasters@iidcpac.org
or call Ashley Hinz at 312-415-4588.

For more information about the IIDC, please visit www.iidcpac.org.  

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ABOUT IIDC

The Illinois Interior Design Coalition is a not-for-profit legislative political action committee whose membership activities are supported solely by individual and corporate contributions. IIDC is open to all interior designers and those in related fields. It is an organization of concerned professionals who volunteer time, money and effort to protect the right to practice interior design in the state of Illinois. All membership dues and contributions are applied directly to legislative efforts, lobbyists, legal fees, campaign contributions and mailings.

The focus of IIDC since the passage of the Title Act has been to protect the Title Act against assaults by other interest groups; to keep the interior design community informed of the legislative agenda, which affects their right to practice; organize appropriate responses to such actions; and to educate interior designers about the necessity of a continued political presence in Springfield. In addition, IIDC's current thrust is to stress the importance to the design community of being a registered interior designer in the state of Illinois.

12.29.09 | Guangzhou, China | CIFF-Office Show, Asia's prestigious fair of office furnishings and facilities, is the largest exhibition for the design, layout, planning & management of the work space in Asia. It features the latest trends, products and concepts in office with the display of office furnishing, lighting, flooring and acoustics.

With over 600 exhibitors who are the leading players in the industry, 2010 CIFF-Office Show will occupy a scale of 130000 sqm. Top brands from varied sectors of office interior decoration are expected to attend in the show:

Office Fitting Furniture Brands: SUNON, VICTORY, CHANGJIAN, SAOSWN, EAST, GUANMEI, OULIN, ZHONG RUI, JONGTAY DRAGON, ZHONGTAI, BOND, KINWAI,

Hotel Furniture Brands: SHEN YUAN, ZHONGXIN, GOTOP, RI CHANG

Office Accessories Brands: DECHANG, COFEMO, ZHONGTAI

School Furniture Brands: HONGSHENG

Public Seating Brands: LIJIANG, HONGJI, CELEBRITY

Office Seating Brands: KUO CHING, MERRYFAIR, COMFORT, ALLBEST, IGO LUXUS, LANDBOND

Safe Cabinets and Filling Cabinets Brand: HUA BAO, SECOND LIGHT

Light Brands: LUMBENCY

Ceiling Brands: YOUBANG, BOLN

With the support of the show organizer, exhibitors in the Hall 1.1-5.1 will change their displaying way from the previous single showcase for office furniture to an integration display of the office furniture, office facilities and office space layout. In line with the principle of the office show, the organizer at this session will also launch a new sector for office lighting, ceiling and other facilities, as well as an Office Environment Theme Pavilion in Hall 8.1

2010 Office Show Hot Spots

Office Environment Theme Pavilion
Office featured with humanity, technology and ecology is our ideal future working space. To realize the dreaming office space as well as demonstrate the leading-edge idea of the modern office, CIFF-Office Show 2010 will set up an OFFICE ENVIRONMENT THEME PAVILION (OETP) as an innovative attempt. The pavilion is designed and carried out by Mr. Xu Zhaoming, a professional designer with over 40-year experience in the industry. With the integration of multi-media display and physical display, we expect that visitors can get more inspirations by experiencing the virtual working space and communicating with professionals at the Pavilion.

1.21.10 | Shanghai, China | The groundbreaking conference that brought the world’s leading architects, designers and developers together is back with a bang for 2010. Relocating from Hong Kong to Shanghai’s New Int’l Expo Centre, 2345 Longyang Road, Pudong New Area Shanghai, this year Architecture & Design Conference 2.0 will be held in conjunction with the 18th Annual Expo Build China.

The concept behind the event is “Building Cities for a Better Life”, complementing the theme of the Shanghai Expo which will open in May this year. The initial speaker line-up is headed by opening keynote and Japanese architecture legend Fumihiko Maki. Joining him on a wide ranging programme that spans design and business issues are Paul Katz, president of Kohn Pedersen Fox – the firm behind Hong Kong and Shanghai’s tallest buildings and green building expert Roger Frechette. Representing Hong Kong will be the city’s most renowned home-grown architect, Rocco Yim.

Ashford Pritchard, Associate Director of organiser Facility Media and the producer of the event, says: “The Architecture & Design Conference is the ideal platform for the building industry to engage with the artistic minds that create our cities. This year we will be focusing on how architects can work with developers to build urban environments that enhance their inhabitants lives.” An business conference that will bring industry leaders from China and abroad together to discuss the future of design, The Architecture & Design conference 2.0 is expected to educate and inspire in equal measure.

What
The Architecture & Design Conference 2.0
A unique business conference for industry leaders

When
31 March – 1 April 2010

Where
Shanghai New Int’l Expo Centre
In conjunction with the 18th Annual Expo Build China

Who Speaking
Fumihiko Maki, Principal, Maki and Associates
Paul Katz, President, Kohn Pedersen Fox
Rocco Yim, Executive Director, Rocco Design Architects
Stefan Krummeck. Principal Director, TFP Farrells
Roger Frechette, AS+GG Architects
And more

Attending
1-200 architects, developers, industry leaders, consultants, government officials, academics, media.

How Much
Delegate passes range from US$788 to US$1,088.

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About Facility Media

Facility Media (facilitymedia.com) is the leading bespoke publication, events and communications organisation engaging with the industries of the built environment in Asia. Facility Media is the publisher of  RFP Magazine, Asia's leading publication for the built environment covering the whole life cycle from real estate investment, development, design, construction, project and facilities management. Since its inception in 2004 RFP Magazine has become a must read for industry professionals within Asia, and the rest of the world with a print and digital distribution which reaches over 40,000 people. Facility Media has also conceived and launched a range of knowledge based events for the built environment covering green buildings, retail, commercial and hospitality space, architecture, design and building technology.

1.27.10 | Houston, TX | The International Facility Management Association has combined its 2010 spring events into one conference offering facility professionals a fusion of new ideas, best practices, and leadership and management training. IFMA Facility Fusion will help built environment professionals recharge their careers through instructor-led educational programming; an expo showcasing the latest products and services; cutting-edge facility tours; and other professional development opportunities.

Held April 13-15, 2010, in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Facility Fusion will feature an Energy Forum hosted by a panel of government experts; three industry-leading power speakers; and an opportunity for attendees to meet new IFMA President and CEO Tony Keane, CAE.

Facility Fusion kicks off with an Energy Forum on Tuesday, April 13, featuring a panel of authorities from federal and state government agencies. Representatives from the U.S. State Department, U.S. General Services Administration, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the City of Philadelphia have been invited to speak. Panelists will discuss energy as it relates to federal buildings as well as carbon capture and new legislation impacting sustainability in the built environment.

“As decisions made in Washington increasingly affect the built environment, it’s critical that we routinely engage those agencies at the forefront of promoting energy efficiency and sustainable practices,” said IFMA Director of Government Relations Jeffrey Johnson. “We’re pleased to have a growing list of government members who can provide perspective on the current administration’s approach to energy policy, how it’s affecting their agency and what effect those priorities may have on the private sector.”

The first day will also feature educational sessions highlighting sustainability case studies, resource conservation best practices and more. Representatives from the City of Orlando, Green Building Services and Texas A&M University’s Health Science Center will present. Conference attendees will get to meet Keane, who will address the audience during lunch on the first day and share his vision for IFMA in 2010 and beyond.

Day two of Facility Fusion, Wednesday, April 14, will begin with a presentation from power speaker William Rodgers Jr., president and CEO of GoodCents and former president and CEO of EMCOR Facilities Services. Rodgers will present “How to Make the Case to the C-Suite,” a presentation in which he teaches facility professionals how to develop clear sustainability initiatives and programs and then sell them to upper management.

The conference’s second day will include educational sessions on strategic portfolio management, environmental responsibility and reducing corporate food service costs. Representatives from Harrah’s Entertainment, SCAN Health Plan and the University of Reading will present. Additionally, day two will offer tours of local Philadelphia facilities including the state-of-the-art ARAMARK Innovation Center in Philadelphia’s Wanamaker Building; the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the largest museums in the U.S.; the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the leading pediatric hospitals and research facilities in the world; PECO, the largest electric and natural gas utility in Pennsylvania; and the Keystone Helicopter/Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility.

The Facility Fusion expo will also debut on Wednesday and remain open until the close of the conference on Thursday. The expo will feature dozens of exhibiting companies promoting the latest workplace products and services. Companies including Bentley Prince Street, CORT, GCA Services Group, Munters and ServiceMaster Clean, among others, will be on the expo floor.

The conference will conclude on Thursday, April 15, with presentations from power speakers Jim Mathis and Sheila Brown. Mathis, an author, business consultant and president of The Mathis Group, will present “Reinventing Yourself for the New World of Work: 7 Bold Truths to Becoming a Market Leader.” His presentation will focus on responding to the recession through a market-oriented, consumer-driven business plan. Brown, an associate with Stantec consulting who helped develop Canada’s LEED^® credentials, will present “Green Buildings: Trends for 2010.” She will discuss the latest energy, environmental and sustainability issues impacting the built environment and provide tips for making the business case for green building operations.

The final day of Facility Fusion will also include a variety of educational sessions covering topics such as strategic facility planning, ENERGY STAR^® utilization and organizational cost savings. Representatives from ARAMARK, Facilities Solutions Group, Pacific Building Care and State Farm Insurance will present.

Those interested in attending Facility Fusion may register here. IFMA members and nonmembers will receive a 30 percent discount through the end of January. Members of the media may register for the event at no cost by e-mailing communications@ifma.org.

To learn more about the IFMA Facility Fusion conference and expo, or to learn about the Certified Facility Manager^® and Facility Management Professional courses being offered in conjunction with the event, visit www.ifmafacilityfusion.org.

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IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,000 members in 60 countries. The association’s members, represented in 125 chapters and 16 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. To join and follow IFMA’s social media outlets online, visit the association’s LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.

7.2.09 | Alexandria, VA | The planning has begun for Coverings 2010, next April 27-30, when the international super show of ceramic tile and natural stone returns to familiar turf in Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center. Then, come 2011, the show will be making a strategic move westward, heading to the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“Orlando is practically home base for Coverings,” said Jennifer Hoff, president of events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces the show. “It will be our 11th year there, and it has a proven track record for us. We know it can accommodate the size and scope of the show, is accessible for both domestic and international travelers, and is in a core region for tile and stone business. But, for several years Coverings has had its eye on the West Coast since it, too, is a critical tile and stone market. Though there’s been an aggressive outreach to build attendance from this area, it’s time to be even more targeted. So, we’re going to take the show to the proverbial mountain.”

The inaugural Coverings exposition was staged 21 years ago in Los Angeles and returned there—or, at least nearby (Anaheim)— two additional times in its early past.

Chicago, which most recently was the scene for Coverings this past year and in 2007, yielded its share of advantages, including a spike in attendance among architects and designers. It also helped nudge the show a little closer to its West Coast goal. According to Hoff, “We hope to return to the Windy City in the future, but Los Angeles will enable Coverings to tap into the potential that the Pacific Coast offers.” 
  
Coverings is sponsored by ASCER (Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain), Confindustria Ceramica (Italian Association of Ceramics), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), and National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).
For more information on exhibiting at Coverings 2010, visit www.coverings.com or contact NTP, Coverings Show Management, at 703.683.8500.

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About Coverings
Coverings is the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. It has grown to be the largest and most important show of its kind in the U.S., featuring exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracting thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who cover this vital and dynamic industry. Coverings is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world. The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four days and all free of charge.

9.3.09 | Las Vegas, NV | On the heels of the record-breaking 2009 show and the largest conference in its 20-year history, LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI) is preparing for another strong educational program in 2010 with the official Call for Speakers. LFI, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference—featuring the LIGHTFAIR Institute® and the LIGHTFAIR Daylighting Institute®—calls for speakers to submit proposals for the 2010 conference in Las Vegas.

This is an opportunity for industry experts to present lighting-related topics such as applications, software, control systems, product updates, design innovations, daylighting, sustainable and environmental design, case studies, professional development, lighting fundamentals and advanced in-depth subject matter to architects, specifiers, lighting designers, interior designers, engineers, lighting manufacturers, contractors, landscape architects and students.

NEW:In addition to its renowned Daylighting Institute and LIGHTFAIR Institute courses and workshops and its six seminar tracks, the LFI educational program will now offer a new category within the seminar tracks— Integrated Building Design & Optimization, which encompasses integrated building design processes as well as component technologies that work together as a system to improve building performance.

WHO:Industry professionals who can develop and present well-defined, timely and in-depth courses. 

HOW:All submissions must be made via the official LFI website at www.lightfair.com.

DEADLINE:Submissions will be accepted on-line only until September 30, 2009.

WHEN:Participating speakers, chosen by the LFI Conference Advisory Committee (CAC), will present at LFI 2010, May 10-14.

WHERE:Las Vegas Convention Center,3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV

CONTACT:  
For Media:            For Speakers/Conference:
Tara Tuschinski        Elly McCloud
Senior Manager        Exec. Director, Marketing,
Media Relations       Conference & Attendee Relations
404.220.2384          404.220.2822
tarat@lightfair.com  ellym@lightfair.com

LIGHTFAIR International is sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The event is produced and managed by AMC, Inc. 

1.22.10 | Boston, MA |The New England Interior Design Community will gather on Tuesday morning May 11 at the Copley Westin at 10 Huntington Avenue.  Now in its 19th year, the New England Business Leaders Breakfast is the region’s premier networking and promotional event for companies in the design, facilities management and real estate sectors.
 
This year’s speaker is David Gergen, Editor-at- U.S. News & World Report, political analyst for CNN and PBS and best-selling author of Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.  Commentator, editor, teacher, public servant, best-selling author and advisor to presidents for 30 years, David Gergen has been an active participant in American national life. He served as director of communications for President Reagan and held positions in the administrations of Presidents Nixon and Ford. In 1993, he put his country before politics when he agreed to first serve as counselor to President Clinton on both foreign policy and domestic affairs, then as special international advisor to the president and to Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Gergen currently serves as editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Report and as a regular television commentator on CNN. He served as moderator of World @ Large, a 13-part PBS discussion series for two seasons. He is also a professor of public service at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and is director of its Center for Public Leadership. In the fall of 2000, he published the best-selling book Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.

Between now and April 27 you are invited to purchase:
-Tables of 10 for $1250 each (only 60 tables available this year)
-Individual member tickets for $125
-Individual non-member tickets for $150

*Please note that the location of your company table(s) will be determined by the order of the payment received. For more information or table sales, please contact IIDANE at 978.664.1110 or e-mail Joyce Blatt at  joyce.blatt@iidane.org.

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The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) works to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community. 

IIDA is a professional networking and educational association of 13,000 Members in ten specialty practice Forums in 29 Chapters around the world.  Additional information is available on IIDA’s website www.iida.org.

9.22.09 | Atlanta, GA | The momentum from the record-breaking 2009 LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) continues with the trade show floor for 2010 in Las Vegas nearing capacity—just four months after the close of the show in New York. Already more than 92% sold-out, the floor features an array of lighting products and technologies, presented by innovative lighting companies that continue to be instrumental in LFI’s position as the world’s largest annual commercial and architectural lighting trade show and conference.

The 2010 trade show floor is supported by four pavilions—two of which have flourished into prime destinations for LFI attendees and two of which are set to debut. The two new pavilions poised to take center stage in Las Vegas are the Building Integration Pavilion and the Global Light + Design Pavilion—known since its 2008 introduction as the European Light + Design Pavilion. 
  
Strategically staged throughout the LFI trade show to ensure maximum exposure, the four pavilions are defined as:
Building Integration Pavilion, launching in 2010 to address one of the industry’s biggest “hot-button” topics, displays companies with enterprise system technologies used to maximize and form energy efficient buildings and spotlights building integration’s most successful projects;

Global Light + Design Pavilion, introduces a newly expanded pavilion, featuring the world's finest and most unique decorative lighting designs from globally-recognized manufacturers with headquarters outside the U.S; 

Daylighting Pavilion, the trade show counterpart to LFI’s Daylighting Institute, displays products from world-renowned manufacturers in the lighting industry who have incorporated natural and artificial lighting into their designs, while improving overall efficiency and economic and environmental benefits;

Design Pavilion, showcases upscale decorative designs with a creative edge, wide range of expression of lighting styles, innovation and fashion-forward products;

Together, the four pavilions create a comprehensive showcase of the world’s leading lighting designs and innovation in an unprecedented environment produced to stimulate, educate and inspire LFI attendees from around the world.

The pavilions will open on May 12, 2010—the opening day of the LFI 2010 trade show floor in Las Vegas.

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LIGHTFAIR International is sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The event is produced and managed by AMC, Inc. 

11.18.09 | White Plains, NY | Where do beginners begin? What can newcomers do to prove themselves to industry professionals? How can art students move from the classroom to the real-world marketplace?

SURTEX 2010 will be addressing these concerns and more with its fresh take on designext, the show's dedicated venue for emerging talent, and on its well-known International Student Design Competition.

"By incorporating the two -- designext and the long esteemed annual International Student Design Competition -- SURTEX has raised the bar to better reflect today's competitive marketplace," explains Penny Sikalis, GLM vice president and show manager. "The new contest guidelines are geared to building solid portfolios and showcasing artwork for real-life industry needs."

Scheduled for May 16-18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, SURTEX 2010 is expected to draw over 300 exhibitors of cutting-edge art and design and approximately 6,000 top-level buyers and licensees from around the world.

"SURTEX is a dynamic event, an annual meeting ground for the movers and shakers of the applied art field, making it an essential venue for artists hoping to gain or expand their foothold in the industry," says Penny Sikalis, GLM vice president and show manager. "We've recreated designext for 2010 to help jumpstart the careers of today's student artists, and to give these future design leaders unprecedented exposure in a setting that can make a difference in their futures."

The challenge for the SURTEX 2010 designext Competition is for each entrant to create a collection of six to nine surface designs that can be used in a residential interior in the year 2015.

"We've re-envisioned our annual competition to encourage surface design students to develop viable designs, and to stimulate their creativity in projecting the demands of the future and the excitement of coming trends," Sikalis says. By the January 30th deadline, students must meet additional competition requirements. For example, the end uses of each surface design are up to the individual, but each entrant must incorporate at least one design in each of the following categories: fabric; wallcovering; and floor covering. Students will be required to mount their collections on presentation boards and to include a brief written description of the overall design concept.

"Submissions will be judged on creativity, development of surface designs, commercial viability and overall presentation," Sikalis says. Judging the competition will be a jury of professionals from the design industry, including well-known artists and designers as well as representatives of the consumer and trade media.

Four winners will be selected and given the opportunity to display their projects at SURTEX 2010, exposing their talent to industry leaders in a premier global arena. With displays in the designext section of the show floor, the student winners will have their portfolios professionally critiqued, be introduced to industry professionals and be invited to attend market events to gain exposure and experience for transitioning into the real world. During the show weekend, one student will be chosen to receive the competition's Grand Prize award.

"In addition to the final four, all participants will benefit from grappling with the demands of the competition," Sikalis notes. "The projects they enter will greatly enhance their portfolios, and in turn, boost their standing in today's competitive job market." Complete competition details and entry forms will be posted on the SURTEX website by November 20th.

"Art and design educators are already embracing the design challenges of the upcoming competition for their classrooms," Sikalis adds. "In fact, we're all excited about how designext can tap the potential of student competitors, help them hone their skills, and showcase the creativity of this next generation of designers."

For further information on SURTEX 2010 and designext, contact Penny Sikalis, Vice President and Show Manager at 914-421-3297, penny_sikalis@glmshows.com or visit www.SURTEX.com.
SURTEX is managed and produced by GLM�, LLC.

1.28.10 | White Plains, NY | Mind your business, artists. That's the message of the SURTEX 2010 Conference Program, "The New Reality of Art Licensing and Sales: Strategies for Business Prosperity in a Tough Economy."

For three full days, May 16-18, more than 15 industry leaders will lay out the essential tools designers need now, for charting a successful path in the applied art field. In eleven hard-hitting sessions, a diverse group of professionals will offer timely advice, hands-on strategies and value-packed insights for building a successful enterprise amidst today's economic challenges.

"We're excited about this year's line-up of speakers, representing depth and breadth of experience in the very business arenas that working artists and product development professionals need to access," says Penny Sikalis, GLM vice president and show manager. "These top-level presenters will be talking specifics, sharing nuts and bolts information on how to foster profitability and long-term viability in today's competitive marketplace."

Leading the 2010 sessions will be licensing and marketing experts, media mavens, seasoned intellectual property attorneys, professional trend-spotters and other industry veterans. Session topics will be wide-ranging and loaded with takeaway tools, from developing a business blueprint to negotiating better contracts to understanding today's copyright laws to enhancing promotional plans and putting them into play.

"All of our sessions will offer a tough-minded approach to the tough economy we're in," Sikalis notes. "Our speakers will bring first-hand knowledge from many aspects of the industry, and are set to demystify the world of art licensing and provide direction for a positive and lucrative future."

To kick off the Conference Program, two sessions on the "Core Basics of Art Licensing" will cover fundamentals for beginners as well as strategies for established designers, including how to manage and promote a commercial venture and how to work with agents and licensees. Leaders are Jeannette Smith, president of J'net Smith and renowned for building the Dilbert comic strip from its infancy into a global icon; Viv Eisner, experienced artist/licensing pro and owner of Viv, Inc; and popular presenter Suzanne Cruise, head of another prominent licensing agency, Cruise Creative Services.

Two essential "Legal Workshops," providing invaluable, up-to-date information, will be presented by attorneys Joshua Kaufman and Jeanne Hamburg. These intellectual property law experts will address legal issues vital to both licensors and licensees, including contract language and copyright and trademark protections.

"Leveraging the Economy to Enhance Your Business" is geared to an inclusive audience, including licensing directors, product managers, art directors and art licensors. Presenters will be dynamic media leader Warren Shoulberg, editor of HFN Magazine, along with veteran consumer analyst Janine Finkle, vice president of Market Intelligence/Design Research Reports, Inc. The session will address survival tactics and growth strategies for today's demanding business environment.

Additional in-depth sessions on the Conference agenda will include: finding and working with manufacturers who license art; understanding how retailers make product decisions; using the internet and social networking media productively; plus provocative trend forecasts.

"The 2010 Conference Program is geared to new and established artists, licensees and manufacturers alike, with a wealth of opportunities to learn, network and sharpen their business skills," Sikalis adds. "It's basically a three-day intensive in how to achieve greater economic success in the new decade via top-notch business advice from accomplished industry professionals."

Conference Program registration is separate from registration for the trade show itself. Rates vary for packages and individual sessions. For complete details on this year's conference sessions and to register online, visit www.SURTEX.com.

For further information on SURTEX 2010, contact Penny Sikalis, Vice President and Show Manager at 914-421-3297,
penny_sikalis@glmshows.com or visit www.SURTEX.com.

SURTEX is managed and produced by GLM, LLC.

1.15.10 | Washington, DC | How does place design influence human experience and behavior?  How can physical environments enhance lives? When the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) meets in Washington, DC (Washington Court Hotel, near Union Station) June 2-6, 2010, these are exactly the sorts of questions that will be answered. 

EDRA-ites focus professionally on how the forms of physical environments affect our lives, but they're a diverse lot.  Members of EDRA work to answer questions such as:

-When are open plan work environments appropriate?  What is the psychological experience of working in a green building?
-How do the aesthetic elements in a hospital room influence immune system performance?
-What classroom design features  enhance elementary school age children's academic performance?  How about high schoolers?  Adults?
-What makes a home welcoming?  Supportive?  Culturally appropriate?
-How does store design encourage impulse purchases or reward routine shoppers?
-How can urban designers create places where individuals and groups flourish?
-Why do we travel through forests or parks the way that we do?  Why does how we navigate through a space matter?
-How should place experiences be investigated and how should knowledge gained be reflected in physical forms?

The psychologists, architects, sociologists, interior designers, landscape architects, urban planners, anthropologists, and other place-focused professionals who are EDRA members will meet with interested others this year to discuss:

-Work with the government.  GSA will outline the project initiatives they are funding.   NSF and NIH will present the criteria used to evaluate grant proposals.
-What's next.  The World Future Society will profile the social, cultural, and demographic forces in 2020 that designers need to consider today.
-How to use research to inform design.  Presenters will outline in a straightforward way the state of place-based design research, how to apply what's known, and how design practitioners can use established research tools or create project specific ones.
-Diverse design contexts.  People are always in a space, and sessions will cover most of them, from retail and office to healthcare, academic, and spiritual, from wild outdoor spaces to carefully cultivated public parks.   Structures to support emergency neighborhood services will be the focus of a design charrette, open to all, following an orienting discussion of previous related work.
-Important recent research.  Scores of presentations and discussions of the latest place-focused research findings and tools will take place.
-Potential partnerships with both place researchers and practitioners.

This year, for the first time, EDRA is seeking CEU status for conference presentations.

Attend EDRA's 2010 annual meeting to learn about new research findings and research tools, to find out about recent design projects, and to meet potential colleagues with similar interests. Savor evidence-based design at the 2010 EDRA conference - design that makes a difference in people's lives.

For more information, please visit www.edra41.org  or edra.org, or contact Dr. Sally Augustin at sallyaugustin@designwithscience.com.

1.21.10 | Chicago, IL | The 42nd annual NeoCon World's Trade Fair, 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. Additionally, this premier contract show features a variety of show components:
       
- The Lighting Pavilion        
- GREENlife       
- Buildings Show       
- NEWHospitality        
- OFDA        
- Fine Design        
- LuxeHome        
- BUILDEX

Chicago NeoCon offers the most comprehensive conference schedule in the industry with more than 150 CEU-accredited seminars, industry association forums, and keynote presentations. The NeoCon conference covers a wide range of subjects and discuss topics in the following educational tracks:         
- Dealer Strategies        
- Environmental Design       
- Facilities Construction & Renovation       
- Facilities Technology        
- Healthcare Design        
- Hospitality Design       
- Institutional Design        
- Lighting Design        
- Office Design        
- Professional development       
- Residential Design       
- Senior Housing       
- Workplace, Health & Safety
 
WHO                          
Approximately 40,000 trade professionals are expected to attend NeoCon 2010, including: architects, interior designers, facility managers, space planners, dealers/distributors, manufacturers/reps, corporate real estate executives, office managers, purchasing managers, project managers, operations managers, engineers, building owners/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: Monday, June 14-Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday-Wednesday, 9 am-5 pm.

Showroom Parties: Monday, 5-7 p.m.
WEB SITE: www.neocon.com

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

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NeoCon is a registered trademark of MMPI. MMPI is the world's leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.  MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center 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; the Boston Design Center in Boston; and the Washington Design Center in Washington, D.C.Vornado Realty Trust, owners 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.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners 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.

1.6.10. Chicago, IL | NeoCon World's Trade Fair returns to the Merchandise Mart, 200 Merchandise Mart Plaza Chicago, IL, June 14-16, 2010.

9.11.09 | Toronto, Canada | IIDEX/NeoCon Canada 2009 and the Green Building Festival will host the World Green Building Council Leader’s Summit on September 23, 2009. The Leaders Summit will be the first time the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) brings together world industry leaders and policy makers to hear from experts about the enormous potential green buildings offer nations as they work to reduce their carbon emissions.

This Summit is part of a larger initiative that includes a number of events happening concurrently around the World, as many of the national Green Building Councils (GBCs) also work to raise awareness about the important role green buildings have in reducing carbon emissions.

World leaders are preparing to gather in December for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to determine the next global deal on how to reduce carbon emissions.  WorldGBC wants to ensure that green buildings are a part of the Copenhagen discussions.  Hosting the Summit in Toronto, in conjunction with IIDEX/NeoCon Conference and the Green Building Festival, the WorldGBC Secretariat wants to shine the spotlight on Canadian initiatives and showcase the opportunities for governments to be the leading advocate for green buildings on the international stage.

Speakers include world-renown architect, Karan Grover and Frank Biden, advisor to the Obama Administration,and Andrew Bowerbank, Executive Director, World Green Building Council.

Karan Grover passionately advocates the need to look at ones culture and heritage in support of contemporary architecture and sustainable development. In 2004, He became the first architect in the world to win the USGBC “Platinum” Award for the greenest building in the world.  He then went on to achieve LEED Platinum certification for the interior of ABN AMRO Bank at Ahmedabad. Mr. Grover was recently made the Permanent Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of the Environment at the hands of former President Dr. Abdul Kalam in Delhi. In 2008 he spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York at the personal invite of President Clinton. For his next big initiative, Mr. Grover has just signed a contract to design a Zero Energy Building for one of his prestigious clients. This will become the first Net Zero Building in India and one of the very few in the world.

Frank Biden worked in the Clinton Administration as a director of Legislative and Congressional Affairs, and was involved in the election campaign for his brother, USA Vice President, Joe Biden, and nephew, Joseph R.Biden III. For the past several years, Mr.Biden has worked as the director of a major philanthropic initiative in Central America providing pediatric aids relief, building homes and providing scholarships for the underprivileged. Mr. Biden’s interests and involvement in green building initiatives come in part through policy involvement and most recently, through his partnership in building the first LEED Platinum certified development in Costa Rica, Latin America. 

Andrew Bowerbank, Executive Director, WorldGBC has had the fortunate opportunity to work as the member representative for the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). With a specific goal to deliver a framework for major carbon reductions globally, the UNEP focus has been about buildings and infrastructure forming a key part of a new global climate deal to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Combined with his efforts to establish green building networks across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin & South Americas, these experiences have opened his eyes to new opportunities for low-carbon economic thinking. With the triple threat of today’s financial, environmental and social issues at hand, Mr. Bowerbank believes Canada can be well positioned as a leader for a new global direction; A direction that some economists are classifying as the “Third Industrial Revolution”.  At the WorldGBC’s Leaders Summit, Mr. Bowerbank will demonstrate global initiatives leading up to the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen, share his experiences, and review strategic ideas that can help leaders in Canada achieve success.

Details:

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Summit - 3:30 - 5:45 PM,
Cocktail Reception: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Heritage Court, Direct Energy Centre

Remember to Tweet at IIDEX/NeoCon Canada. Ready to engage in the #IIDEX09 conversation? Register on Twitter and start tweeting with #IIDEX09 today.

World Green Building Council

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is a union of national councils whose mission is to accelerate the transformation of the global built environment towards sustainability. Current member Green Building Councils, (GBCs) represent over 50 per cent of global construction activity, and touch more than 10,000 companies and organizations worldwide. GBCs are consensus-based, not-for-profit organizations that are highly effective at engaging leaders across sectors to transform the built environment.  For more information please go to www.worldgbc.org

About the 2009 IIDEX/NeoCon Canada Exposition and Conference and Green Building Festival
This year the Green Building Festival (GBF) has co-located its conference and exposition with IIDEX/NeoCon Canada. The two shows have forged a strategic partnership to advance the educational opportunities on sustainable design and architecture, offer an expanded range of exhibitors focused on sustainability, and develop site tours to create one of the largest green building and design events in Canada. The Green Building Festival will present their conference on September 23 and 24, and hold a co-located exposition with IIDEX on the 24 and 25.  As well, IIDEX/NeoCon Canada is celebrating 25 years of design firsts; whether it’s products, people, ideas, speakers or events, IIDEX/NeoCon Canada has consistently led the way in bringing design to the forefront of the Canadian design and business sectors.

2.2.10 | Toronto, Canada | IIDEX/NeoCon Canada 2010 is set to offer the biggest and best show in its history.  The 2010 show is three great shows in one: IIDEX/NeoCon Canada, Light Canada and the newest addition, the Green Building Festival. This year the show will share innovations, concepts, products and notable speakers who are at the forefront of the Canadian design, architecture and business sectors, while touching upon all aspects of daily life.

The four day of conference plus the two day exposition will again be the must attend event of the year for those who work in or are inspired by design, construction and management of the built environment.

Mark your calendar for three great shows and four great days of design, which takes place at the Direct Energy Centre, Toronto on:

Exposition: September 23 - 24, 2010
Conference: September 22 25, 2010

Show details will be communicated via print and electronic e-flashes. Stay tuned for complete details.

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IIDEX/NeoCon Canada is Canada s largest exposition and conference for the design, construction and management of the built environment. IIDEX/NeoCon Canada s mandate is to serve the interests of interior design, architectural, facility management, real estate development and business communities through an annual tradeshow and conference that takes place at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. IIDEX/NeoCon Canada is owned by the IDC, Interior Designers of Canada, produced, and managed by Merchandise Mart Properties Canada (MMPCI). MMPI manages and owns more than 300 events in North America including NeoCon World s Trade Fair in Chicago.

For more information about IIDEX/NeoCon Canada, Light Canada, the Green Building Festival, and the 2009 show successes please visit iidexneocon.com.

1.6.10 | Chicago, IL | Greenbuild 2010 will be held at McCormick Place, West Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive,Chicago, IL, November 16-19, 2010.

2.4.10 | Baltimore, MD | The eighth annual NeoCon® East will be held Dec. 15-16, 2010, returning to the Baltimore Convention Center. The premier design exposition for commercial interiors with a focus on the federal government attracts industry professionals who are responsible for the repair, retrofit and green building modernization of city, county, state and federal buildings. More than 7,500 are expected to attend the show for two exciting days of new products, special events - including a holiday celebration- and educational offerings. 

“NeoCon East is positioned to have a continued growth trajectory, just as it has since it began in 2003,” said Mark Falanga, senior vice president of MMPI. “Taking place during the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year, government buyers are flush with new budgets and are looking for products to fill their organization’s needs, and NeoCon East provided them with the perfect environment.”

NeoCon East is an important trade show for the Federal Design Community because it features Government Interiors, which focuses on products and services geared to federal government procurement specifiers. The new December dates are endorsed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which has been a significant part of NeoCon East in the past and will return with a large presence in the 2010 show. Also, GSA will be hosting its Quality Partnership Council (QPC) Meeting in conjunction with the show – which helps to foster a common understanding between customer, contractor, and GSA through communication and education.

With more than 250 exhibitors in 240,000 square-feet of exhibit space, NeoCon East sets the pace for the Mid-Atlantic contract furnishings industry, focusing on the Federal Design Community. Industry professionals including architects, interior designers, facility managers, government specifiers, government designers, space planners, distributors, manufacturers, real estate professionals and students rely on this event for innovative ideas and the latest trends in interior design and architecture.

More than 50 CEU accredited seminars representing a variety of important topics and covering 12 distinct educational tracks are available to show attendees, including: facilities management; facilities construction and renovation; green design; government services administration; health care; health, safety and welfare; hospitality; institutional; office design; professional development; residential and lighting.

For more information, about NeoCon East, visit www.neoconeast.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).

NeoCon® East is a registered trademark of MMPI. 

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MMPI is a trade show 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 and 350 West Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners 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.