NeoCon West Preview

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

November 29–30, 2001

The fourth annual NeoCon West will provide those on the West Coast with an opportunity to view the latest products, services, and information for the commercial interiors industry. More than 300 local and national manufacturers will showcase over 200,000 sq. ft. of products at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Product collections will include carpeting, ceiling systems, corporate artwork, educational and office furnishings, floor coverings, institutional furnishings, landscape and plant services, lighting controls and fixtures, sound masking, wall coverings, and window systems and coverings. Attendees can gain design and business know-how at over thirty CEU-accredited programs and association forums. For complete information, visit www.merchandisemart.com or call (800) 677-6278.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Robin Standefer

Robin Standefer presents "Designing an Enduring Presence" Thursday morning. Renowned production designer of films such as Practical Magic, Caveman's Valentine, and Zoolander, she will comment on finding permanence in the ever-changing field of design.

Karim Rashid

Industrial designer and artist Karim Rashid will deliver his speech, "Pluralism: Merging Disciplines," on Friday. By discussing the broad range of his design practice, he will highlight the blurring of boundaries among graphics, art, design, architecture, and fashion.

SPECIAL EVENTS

IIDA Calibre Awards

On November 28th, NeoCon West will kick off with the IIDA's Southern California Chapter's presentation of the IIDA Calibre Awards at the Regal Biltmore Hotel. The event will recognize excellence in the design community by honoring real estate developers, brokers, general contractors, consultants, furniture dealers, and custom fabricators. A cocktail reception in the Crystal Ballroom will precede the awards presentation/dinner in the Biltmore Bowl.

Best of NeoCon Exhibit

The Best of NeoCon Exhibit, new this year to NeoCon West, will highlight award-winning products from last June's NeoCon World's Trade Fair in Chicago.

Photo Display Gallery

Also making its NeoCon West debut, the Photo Display Gallery will showcase photographs and renderings of projects by designers and architects from the southern California region and throughout the country.

L.A. Mart

Free roundtrip Yellow Cab vouchers will be available from the convention center to L.A. Mart, home to more than 300 permanent showrooms featuring lighting, tabletop, and decorating accessories for commercial office, hospitality, and residential interiors. For more information, call (800) LAMART4 or visit www.lamart.com.

LA NOMA Banquet

The Los Angeles Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) will hold its Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet on Friday at the Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel-Airport. For more information, call (626) 296-3741 or email la_noma@yahoo.com.

SEMINARS

Below is a sampling of the many seminars that will take place at NeoCon West:

Laminate Top to Bottom: Understanding High Pressure Laminate

Nov. 29, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Wilsonart International's Brenda White and Ken Charbonneau of the Institute for Color Research will address the history of laminates, how they are made, test procedures and industry standards, installation concerns, and the many varieties that are available.

Dispelling Myths About Office Ergonomics

Nov. 29, 1–2 p.m.

Eileen Vollowitz, president of Health by Design, will bring participants up-to-date on the latest developments in ergonomic office seating and discuss problems with traditional standards.

Technology and You: New Software Tools for the Interior Designer

Nov. 29, 1–2 p.m.

Michael Habicht of Interiors and Impact Solutions will explain how to automate the interior design office, set up procedures to organize and manage design projects, and maximize the benefits of the Internet.

The New Work Styles: A Turning Point in Office Design

Nov. 29, 4–5 p.m.

Izzydesign's Chuck Saylor discusses attracting today's most coveted employees with high-quality, personalized work spaces.

Focus Your Marketing

Nov. 30, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Christine M. Piotrowski shares techniques of target marketing to efficiently identify potential clients.

Assisted Living & Dementia Care Expansion & Renovation: Making the Most of It

Nov. 30, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Jane Rohde, AID, IIDA, of JSR Associates will review the expansion and design of a continuing care facility that considers baby boomers' needs, increased demand for dementia care, and the impact of reimbursements.

The Gestalt of Color

Nov. 30, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Using a cross-disciplinary approach, Colour Studio's Jill Pilaroscia will explore the influence of color on interiors.

ASSOCIATION FORUMS

The ABC's of NCIDQ

Nov. 29, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Presented by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.

A Day in the Life of Vinnie Vinylman

Nov. 29, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Presented by the International Interior Design Association.

Color Marketing Group's 2001 Western Regional Meeting: Designing by the Rainbow

Nov. 29, 1:30–3 p.m.

Presented by Color Marketing Group.

The BIFMA Ergonomics Guideline for VDT Furniture Used in Office Work Spaces

Nov. 29, 4–5 p.m.

Presented by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.

How to Design Offices for Speech Privacy and Improved Performance

Nov. 29, 4–5 p.m.

Presented by the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association.

The Future of Environmental Design

Nov. 29, 4–5 p.m.

Presented by the Organization of Black Designers.

Annual Town Hall Meeting for Health Care Facilities Research Issues

Nov. 29, 4–5:30 p.m.

Presented by the Health Care Facility Research Consortium.

Building Codes for Interiors

Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Presented by the American Society of Interior Designers.

Integrating Graphics and Interiors: Signage That Transforms Space

Nov. 30, 1–3 p.m.

Presented by the Society for Environmental Graphic Design.

Goodbye EDI, Hello XML: An Overview of the Office Furniture Industry's New XML Standard

Nov. 30, 2–3:30 p.m.

Presented by the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance.

Make Work Fun for Increased Productivity, Profitability, and Morale

Nov. 30, 3–5 p.m.

Presented by the International Interior Design Association, Southern California Chapter.

FutureWork 2020

Nov. 28, 2–5 p.m.

At the Omni Hotel, with cocktail reception to follow, presented by the American Society of Interior Designers.

STUDENT DAY

On November 30th, Student Day events will be directed at West Coast students of interior design and architecture. To register for these complimentary events (for students and professors) and for more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com or call Tricia Shelton at (219) 865-8079. Highlights include:

Keynote Presentation: "The Next Big Thing"

Doug Zucker, AIA, vice president of Gensler, San Francisco, will present the firm's research on the workplace and creativity.

"How to Make It In the Real World"

Stephen Viscusi, CEO of The Viscusi Group, will discuss realities of the job force.

Career Exchange

More than 30 of the nation's top architecture and design firms and manufacturers will be available for networking, receiving resumes, and offering advice. This event is sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers; a full list of participating firms will be posted at www.asid.org.

NeoCon West Exhibit Hall

The industry's top manufacturers of corporate, health care, hospitality, retail and residential furnishings, lighting, carpeting, flooring, fabrics, and decorative accessories will be exhibiting the latest products.