Jul 19, 2007

Special Events During NeoCon Xpress

Chicago – NeoCon Xpress, the West Coast’s premier contract furnishings show, makes an exciting debut with two days of special events, accomplished speakers and educational programming. The West Coast’s foremost event for architects, designers and facility managers arrives in Los Angeles on the heels of NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, bringing the newest products to the Los Angeles Convention Center, August 22-23, 2007.

Attendees will gain insight into industry trends through outstanding presentations and tours, earn credit by attending insightful seminars, network with colleagues at exciting special events and explore an array of products on the show floor. NeoCon Xpress has more than 100 exhibitors with the latest in commercial interiors, including: Architex International, Bentley Prince Street, Dauphin, Dunn- Edwards Corporation, Global-The Total Office, Herman Miller, Haworth, Kimball Office, Knoll and Steelcase. Finally, the sophisticated A&D and FM communities of L.A. have an exclusive event designed to unite people, products and ideas.

Keynotes & Featured Presentations

Angela Adams

“Bringing Comfort to Contract”

Wednesday, August 22, 12-1 p.m.

Sponsored by: Architex and Shaw Contract Group

Growing up on an island 12 miles off the coast of Maine, Adams’ island upbringing helped to shape her unique perspective on design. Her designs are known for their sense of timelessness, simplicity and balance. She is constantly exploring new mediums for her designs. Adams’ contract industry work includes partnerships with Shaw Contract Group, Architex and Ann Sacks with product lines including broadloom & carpet tile, woven fabrics and ceramic tiles. Adams will discuss translating the aesthetic of her designs and the Angela Adams brand into contract environments.

Cameron Sinclair

“We Don’t Ship: How Community Design Delivers More Than Architecture”

Thursday, August 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Presented by: International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture for Humanity and the Open Architecture Network discusses how disaster and conflict has destabilized not only the political structures, but also the built environment, prompting many to question the building practices of the past. Sinclair’s presentation will focus on how a new breed of designers is responding to humanitarian crises and rethinking the social and economic future of the more than two billion people currently surviving in sub-standard living conditions. Sinclair is also the author of Design Like You Give a Damn and will be hosting a book signing following his presentation.

Jack Kyser

“Reinventing Los Angeles – Downtown and Elsewhere”.

Wednesday, August 22, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Presentation

Jack Kyser, senior vice president & chief economist of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. and the “guru of the Los Angeles economy” shares his expertise and insight into the transformation of L.A and beyond. Hear about the revitalization of downtown L.A. and learn how these new developments will enrich the future of Los Angelesas it works to redefine its skyline.

Debra K. Ertel-Hernandez, CFM, CFMJ, FMA

“Making the Business Case for Sustainability at Toyota”

Wednesday, August 22, 4-5 p.m.

Corporate sustainability is more than simply recycled content and the recyclability of products. It is a business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic environmental and social developments. Autos and the environment meet at every life cycle stage. Debra K. Ertel-Hernandez, senior facilities operations administrator for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. takes a close-up look at Toyota Motor Sales’ Business Case for Sustainability and their Global Earth Charter moving forward in the 21stCentury and explores why the initiatives of major corporations like Toyota are becoming a major focus of the design industry.

Special Events

eXtreme eXhibit Party

Wednesday, August 22

Sponsored by Bentley Prince Street

NeoCon Xpress kicks-off the first day with the opening night party on the show floor. The eXtreme eXhibit Party, from 5-8 p.m., is free to attendees interested in enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with colleagues while exploring the exhibitors at NeoCon Xpress.

Superior Interior Tournament

Wednesday, August 22

Catharsis, LLC presents Superior Interior Tournament, the first-ever live digital design competition of its kind. Given a specific design challenge, teams must perform the construction of their work with minimal prep, in front of a panel of esteemed industry judges and a live packed audience of their peers. Six high-profile company teams will battle it out on stage using only the barest of design tools, wit and raw talent, amidst a charged crowd and celebrity MC and DJ. Their work will be projected in real time on screens surrounding the stage, for all to witness their creativity in action. Only one team will walk away with bragging rights. The competition is held in the Theater on the Show Floor from 5:30-8 p.m.

Catalyst – Ideas for Breakfast

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – “A Contract With Our Future”

Thursday, August 23, 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. breakfast

8:30-10 a.m., presentation, with book signing to follow

Presented by IIDA Southern California Chapter

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will discuss the important role that our natural surroundings play in our work, our health and our identity as Americans. Kennedy will explain how good environmental policy is good business policy, good economic policy, and good policy for posterity.

Fee: $100/person or $1000/table of 10. Tickets can be purchased online beginning July 1 at iida-socal.org

MINGLE at the Mondrian

Thursday, August 23, 8-10 p.m., Fee: $75

Sponsored by Bentley Prince Street and Contract Magazine

Skybar, Mondrian – Los Angeles, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif.

Join the West Coast A&D crowd poolside at Skybar. Whether you’re relaxing in a cabana or sipping drinks by the pool, this ultra chic event is the place to see and be seen. Specialty cocktails, delicious hors d’oeuvres and hip dance beats infuse this party with amazing energy for a fabulous finale to the show.

Fee: $75

Seminars

NeoCon Xpress offers designers, architects and facility managers an opportunity to earn valuable CEU, LU or certification points through a variety of educational seminars. Learn about green building insurance, maximizing office space in a time of sky-high real estate prices, capturing the upscale market, how architectural trends are affecting the acoustical environment, trends driving home and commercial design and impacts of global warming and much more. Register for seminars online at neoconxpress.com. Registration fee is $25 if registered by August 10, and $35 on site.

Student Series

Thursday, August 23, 9-4 p.m.

Sponsored by Herman Miller

The Student Series highlights innovative new products, offers valuable networking events and introduces students to accomplished designers making news today. The day of activities geared for Interior Design and Architecture Students begins with keynote speaker Shawn Littrell, an award-winning industrial designer and recent Art Center College of Design graduate who is currently a designer for Gensler. In 2005, he was named Best New Designer at NeoCon World’s Trade Fair for a collection he designed with Bernhardt Design. Littrell discusses his design process by looking at hyper-narratives in art and design to help create an innovative approach to design. Later in the day, American Society of Interior Design (ASID) professionals will be on-site to share their expertise as they assist students with portfolio and resume suggestions in personal review sessions. This is a tremendous and valuable opportunity to learn from leading professionals in the industry while serving as a fantastic venue to network. The day ends with a reception hosted by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). The Student Series is complimentary for students and educators. Register online at neoconxpress.com.

Tours

Downtown L.A. Tour

Thursday, August 23, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Fee: $75

Presented by: American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) – Los Angeles Chapter

While at NeoCon Xpress attendees are invited on a comprehensive tour of Downtown L.A. which will provide an in-depth view of the renaissance of Downtown Los Angeles. From the building of Staples Center to the opening of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall, as well as the housing boom which began in 1999 with the passage of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance by the City of Los Angeles, attendees will visit a number of properties and see model interiors in both adaptive reuse projects as well as brand new construction. At each stop, a representative of the developer will tell a brief story about the design of the units. Current development summaries, facts and figures about the market will be presented.

Tour Guide: Hal Bastian, director of economic development, Central City Association

Association Forums

Hosted by leading industry associations, these forums will bring together industry leaders and experts from around the international community. From obesity in the workplace and how interior designers are working to promote healthy habits and wellness, to learning how to accurately predict the results of color choices and design combinations, to a discussion on what three industry leaders are doing about sustainability from the corporate perspective, NeoCon Xpress association forums are sure to educate. Associate Forums will be presented by: American Society of Interior Designers (ASID); ASID Los Angeles Chapter; Asset Network for Education Worldwide (ANEW); California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC); Color Marketing Group (CMG); Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID); International Facility Management Association (IFMA)-Los Angeles Chapter, National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)-Los Angeles Chapter.

Buildings Show WestBuildings Show West will be co-located with NeoCon Xpress at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 22-23, 2007. Buildings and Archi-Tech magazines will sponsor this exhibition of commercial building products and services also featuring important educational programs.

For more information, or to register online, visit neoconxpress.com.

NeoCon Xpress is part of the National Exposition of Contract Furnishings family of shows. NeoCon is a registered trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (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 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 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, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.