Facilities manager's guide to NeoCon East September 14-15, 2005: Baltimore Convention Center.

Building on the positive momentum from the past 2 years, NeoCon[R] East returns to the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland to extend its brand of design inspiration and cutting-edge products to the Mid-Atlantic region.

This year, the event--with more than 250 exhibitors, 185,000 square feet of exhibit space, and three additional show components (Buildings Show[R], Government Interiors[TM], and GREENlife[TM]: Products for Sustainable Environments)--is expected to attract 6,500 facilities managers, corporate executives, federal employees, interior designers, architects, dealers, manufacturing representatives, students, federal employees, and corporate executives.

Admission to the exhibit hall is free. Industry professionals can register online by visiting (www.merchandisemart. com/neoconeast) and entering their contact information. New in 2005, seminar registration is now available online as well at (www.merehandisemart.com/neoconeast). Interested participants can also call (800) 677-6278 (MART) for more information.

Three Shows Within a Show

In addition to the extensive exhibition and educational offerings, as well as special events, during NeoCon East, this unique venue offers three additional "shows" within a show:

* Buildings Show[R]: The subscribers to Buildings, ARCHI-TECH, and Interiors 6 Sources magazines--building owners, developers, facilities managers, architects, systems integrators, interior designers, and other professionals from the commercial design community will--be able to view a showcase of building products, services, and resources for new construction and renovation projects, In cutting-edge seminars, attendees will learn about some of the latest strategies and offerings in facilities management, construction, and technology.

* Government Interiors[TM]: Supported by the General Services Administration's (GSA) National Furniture Center--the entity that supplies federal government and military agencies with interiors solutions--Government Interiors serves the federal government specifier, designer, and procurement manager The show features accredited seminars, various special events throughout NeoCon East, and an impressive exhibition that showcases an array of innovative products and services available on the GSA schedule. Government Interiors provides attendees with the most cost-effective way to explore industry trends and procurement changes that impact federal acquisitions.

* GREENlife[TM]: Products for Sustainable Environments: Architects and interior designers will find products, processes, and certification measures that can provide eco-friendly solutions to help maintain a healthy planet. GREENlife[TM] is the platform for manufacturers who recognize the importance of sustainable design through both the product design and manufacturing processes.

Education: Something for Everyone!

Over the course of the 2-day event, more than 40 CEU-accredited seminars and association forums will be offered. Programming is designed to enhance the show experience for attendees, providing them with unique educational opportunities to expand industry knowledge and keep current with the latest trends in interior design and architecture. All educational sessions are 1 hour, rated by three skill levels, and accredited for 0.1 CEU, 1LU, or CMU. They include:

Wednesday, September 14

* Color and Light Integration. This presentation, geared toward interior designers and architects, will illustrate ways to anticipate color in items of lighting and surface design. 9-10 a.m. Speaker: Jeanne Kopacz, IIDA, IFMA, Bryer Architects LLP.

* How Does Your Project Become a Material Reality? Through case studies and project examples, attendees will gather a firm understanding of material sourcing, timing, and costs. 9-10 a.m. Speaker: Melissa Martins, Architectural Systems Inc.

* Recognizing Physical Relocation as an Opportunity. Designers can glean ideas for enhancing a company's infrastructure and workplace performance in the midst of change. 9-10 a.m. Speakers: Susan Gilley, AIA, John Sun, and Kathryn Davis, Booz Allen Hamilton.

* Intelligent Environments: The Impact of Interior Technologies on Workplace Performance. This session focuses on the need for "IT" to be re-envisioned as a cluster of well-chosen "Interior Technologies," capable of delivering a host of workplace performance improvements. 9-10 am. Speaker: David M. Sykes, PhD, IAPR HFES, The Remington Group LP.

* Effecting Change in the Interior Design Marketplace. This seminar is an interactive presentation on residential CSI specifications, methods for project teamwork, techniques for best installation methods, managing site recyclables, and addressing non-toxic maintenance programs. 9-10 a.m. Speaker: Debbie Hindman, SMPS, AIA COTE, USGBC, Associates III.

* GSA's New-and-Improved Project Planning Process. Designers will learn how to win work with the General Services Administration (GSA) and gain insight into increasing the participation of quality bidders. 9-10 a.m. Speakers: Diane Stolz, GSA Portfolio Management Division and John Lowe, AIA, WDG Architecture PLLC.

* A Smarter Approach to Workplace Design. Attendees will learn about design strategies that not only improve physical space, but also positively affect the bottom line. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speakers: Karen Odium, Aetna Inc. and Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting.

* Finding the Way: Designing Wayfinding Friendly Architecture and Signs. This session offers insight into signage design principles and wayfinding. 10:30 11:30 am. Speaker: Scott Saunders, SEGD, Architectural Sign Associates.

* Can People Work in the Space You Designed? An overview for planning and developing programs that provide solutions for working and impacting productivity. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speaker: Melodee Wagen, IFMA, Melodee Wagen Consulting Inc.

* Designing with Light. Attendees can explore the art and drama of low-voltage lighting, as well as the use, implementation, and design options offered by low-voltage lighting systems. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Eric S. Borden, ALA, Ambiance[R] Lighting Systems at Sea Gull Lighting Products Inc.

* Art and Architecture. This presentation uses a pediatric cancer center as a case study of art as architecture. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speakers: James May, NCIDQ, Granary Associates, and Maxine Krinsky, IFMA.

* Preparing for Workplace Emergencies. This session is a how-to presentation on developing workplace emergency procedures. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Daniel Della-Giustina, PhD, West Virginia University's Department of Industrial Engineering.

* Daylighting in Row Housing. Attendees will get ideas for accessing natural light through innovative building forms and cutting-edge technologies when building row houses. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Susan Steindler, AIA, Inside & Out Architectural Design.

* Greener Office Space Does Make a Difference--How You Can Build and Manage Green. This workshop offers ideas for greener office space and best practices for building greener buildings and using environmental products. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Sandy Jones, GSA Public Buildings Service.

* Research Methods and Processes: How to Incorporate Evidence-Based Design in Your Projects. Attendees will learn what makes a study valid, how to write survey questions, and improve response rates. 3-4 p.m. Speaker: Linda Porter Bishop, ASID, IIDA, FKP Architects Inc.

* The Art of Plastics in Architecture and Design. This seminar explores the structural and design aspects of plastics as green projects. 3-4 p.m. Speaker: Mary Boone Wellington, MB Wellington Studio Inc.

Thursday, September 15

* How to Prepare a Quality Office Furniture Offer. Attendees will learn how to get a GSA contract through topics such as filling in required information in solicitations, price proposals, technical proposals, and other proposal requirements. 9-10 am. Speaker: Terry Coley, GSA's National Furniture Center.

* Going National: Planning and Implementation of Company-Wide Workplace Standards. Attendees will learn how to develop national workplace standards that demonstrate measurable results and manage end-user expectations. 9-10 a.m. Speakers: Enza Parrella, CREW, CoreNet and Dominic Ruggerio, CFM, NovaStar Financial.

* How to Ask the Right Questions to Determine Green Products. This session teaches attendees about third-party certification programs and how to know the right questions to ask manufacturers about their products and LEED credits. 9-10 a.m. Speaker: Kathleen Keller, Dodge Regupol Inc.

* The GSA Pricing Guideline--Made Simple. Attendees will learn how to develop effective budgets, detailed project planning, design, and implementation. 9-10 a.m. Speakers: Lois Bennett, IIDA NCIDQ, GSA; John Lowe, AIA, WDG Architecture PLLC; and David Abdur-Rahman, GSA.

* Color in Health Care Environments: A Critical Review of the Research Literature. This session highlights results from a study on the application of color in healthcare design. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speakers: Jane Rohde, AIA, FIIDA, ACHA, NCARB, JSR Associates Inc. and Roger Call, AIA, ACHA, LEED, Herman Miller for Health Care.

* Is It We or Me? Attendees will learn implications and possible approaches to questions to set their business up for future success. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speaker: Martha Garriott Rayle, FASID, IIDA, Rayle Associates.

* Interior Materials: Facts or Fiction? This presentation presents an overview of the vast offerings of interior materials and how to choose materials with confidence. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speakers: Sylvia Kowalk and Heidi Pfannes, IIDA, Kingscott Associates.

* Digital Printing and Decorative Printing Applications. Attendees will gain insight into how digital imaging is changing products from wallcoverings and curtains to floorcoverings and ceramic tiles. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speaker: Patti Williams, IT Strategies.

* Greening Architecture. This session will be a discussion on the impact of green design and incorporating it into good design. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Speaker: Larry Scarpa, Push + Scarpa.

* The Lighting Design Process. Attendees will gain valuable information about the process of designing architectural lighting to highlight architecture and enhance environments. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speakers: Shawn Good, PE, LC, LEED and Benjamin Besom, EIT, LC, Brinjac Engineering.

* Sustainability: Our Biggest Challenge of the New Millennium. This session offers an overview of a decade of sustainability leadership from the carpet industry. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Robert Peoples, PhD, Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

* The Challenge or Contribution of Interior Design to Today's World. This presentation explores the importance of interior design for private business, social, and public spaces, from not only a safety and convenience standpoint, but also an aesthetic one. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Mary Knackstedt, FASID, FIIDA, IFDA, IDS, Knackstedt Inc.

* Succession Planning in the Facility Management Organization. This presentation on Interpersonal Dynamics (ID) explores the importance of improving one's professional performance. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Thomas Hand, CFM, CFMJ, TJ Hand Facility Management Solutions.

* e-Buy Training for Government Customers. This session provides an overview of an online acquisition tool that gives access to hundreds of government contractors. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Speaker: Tonya Butler, GSA's Federal Supply Service.

You Talking to Me? Exciting Keynotes!

* On Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 12 p.m., show attendees are invited to join Edward Feiner, former chief architect of the GSA'S Public Buildings Service and currently director of office operations at Skidmore, Owings E Merrill, Washington, D.C., as he presents "Excellence by Design." Feiner will discuss, through the use of case studies, how design excellence can become an important edge for clients to achieve their business objectives.

* Kendall P. Wilson, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, principal of Envision Design, Washington, D.C., will deliver his keynote on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 12 p.m. "Green Design: The Intelligent Approach to Interiors" will give a realistic view of sustainable interior design. Join METROPOLIS editor in chief Susan Szenasy as she cross-examines Wilson on his projects, challenges, and insights.

* On Thursday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., Thomas Mayne, founder/principal of Morphosis Architects, Los Angeles, and winner of the 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize, will discuss architectural style and design. Mayne will give his insight into creations such as the Diamond Ranch High School; four large buildings for the U.S. government, including a satellite facility for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and a federal courthouse in Eugene, OR.