NEOCON® WEST RETURNS TO THE L.A. MART® MARCH 9-10, 2005, FOR TWO FULL DAYS
OF PRODUCT EXPLORATION, DESIGN INNOVATION, EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 27, 2004) – NeoCon® West, the West Coast's exposition and conference for
commercial interiors and the built environment, returns to the L.A. Mart® March 9-10, 2005. As an essential
resource for designers, architects, specifiers, facility managers, students and anyone interested in gaining
access to some of the industry’s most important manufacturers and influential thinkers, NeoCon West
introduces attendees to a world of ideas, concepts and knowledge for their interior design projects.
BOUTIQUE VENUE AT THE L.A. MART: WHERE LIFE MEETS STYLE
NeoCon West is a boutique design event that exposes attendees to the ideas and innovations being generated on the West Coast. Industry participants can see what leading design firms are doing to add value to the environments for living, working and playing. As the largest permanent market center in the Western United States, the L.A. Mart encompasses nearly 300 corporate and manufacturer’s rep showrooms within 724,000 square feet of space. It is a convenient, year-round destination for all NeoCon West attendees seeking both custom and brand-name furniture, accessories, lighting, wall and floor covering products for contract and residential projects.
“The quality of the people I’ve seen here has been very good,” said Tricia Mauller, manufacturer representative for Leland and WCI, The Scheffey Group, addressing last year’s show. “People feel there’s more of a positive energy here at the L.A. Mart that wasn’t present at the Los Angeles Convention Center.”
RESOURCES
Expected to attract between 6,000 and 8,000 professionals from the Western United States, NeoCon West presents the latest thinking in design, sustainability and some of the most important themes influencing the environments of today and tomorrow. Resources available at the show include products, services, information and education for the design and management of all interior and built environments representing office, health care, retail, residential, hospitality, government, institutional, facilities services, building products and much more.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
NeoCon West will host two distinguished keynote presentations. Attendees can hear these creative and talented individuals give their perspective on design. Sponsored by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Niels Diffrient presents “High Performance Interiors” on Wednesday, March 9, from noon-1 p.m. METROPOLIS magazine presents “An L.A. Story” featuring Greg Lynn and Alex McDowell, on Thursday, March 10, from noon-1 p.m. Both keynote addresses take place in the L.A. Mart’s California Room and are complimentary to all guests.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND ASSOCIATION FORUMS
NeoCon West provides a comprehensive offering of CEU-accredited seminars and association forums. For those seeking inspiration or to refine their expertise, NeoCon West offers a spectrum of educational programs designed to meet any schedule and budget. For a complete listing of seminars and association forums, visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon West.
STUDENT DAY
Student Day is Thursday, March 10. Interior design and architecture students and educators are invited to receive real-world exposure through seminars, a career exchange and time on the show floor. Larry Bisson of Gensler, Los Angeles, presents the Student Day keynote address on Thursday, March 10, from 2-3 p.m. (“Welcome to Your Future”). For more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com, click on NeoCon West, and follow the Student Day link.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Known as one of the hottest cities in the world for its style, fashion, architecture, design and lifestyle, Los Angeles becomes the hub of savvy professionals looking to have fun this spring. Attendees are invited to enjoy a wide array of socializing and networking events with industry associations, organizations and exhibitors in the dynamic Los Angeles market. For a complete listing of special events, visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon West.
NEOCON WEST SHOW ATTRACTIONS
The Buildings Show®
Buildings and ARCHI-TECH magazines bring attendees this component of building products, services, resources and educational programs to assist them in their new construction and renovation projects. Facility managers, building owners, architects, developers and other professionals from the commercial design community can view the latest in facilities management, construction and technology.
Fine Living: The Loft Life
Suite 200 & Lower Level (LL), Main Level, Floors 10, 11 & 12
Produced by L.A. Mart Design Center, LA Inside and LA Architect magazines
Presented by Bulthaup Kitchen Architecture
The L.A. loft phenomenon is all the rage. Guests are invited to experience the style, modernity and future trend of a loft-inspired lifestyle as L.A. Mart Design Center, LA Inside and LA Architect magazines present this residential showcase featuring state-of-the-art design, products and furnishings for the urban home.
Fine Living: Creating the Loft Life Panel Presentation
Wednesday, March 9, 3-4 p.m., Fee: $30
Los Angeles loft design has created a residential phenomenon. Attendees can examine the emergence of the loft lifestyle and its impact on interior design trends. Moderated by LA Architect and LA Inside’s Jesse Brink, the panel addresses how form, function, comfort, style and technology are integrated in a multi-purpose loft dwelling. Creativity and constraint are also explored, revealing how great design can maximize limited space to create the ultimate living environment that is streamlined, functional and luxurious.
L.A. Mart Design Center showrooms offer NeoCon West attendees a superior mix of leading products for the home and office. This is a preview of furniture and accessory showrooms hosting special events: Accoutrements, Suite 1268; Altitude Interiors, Suite 1240; Art & Frame Direct, Suite 110; Bonnie Sherman & Associates, Suite LL-60; CBK, Ltd., Suite 340; Corsican/Swan Brass Beds, Suite 1230; East West International, Suite 920; Filbert & Fig, Suite 1046; Haptor/Barrett, Suite 1104; Intrada, Suite 807; JTA, Inc., Suite LL-70; PALECEK, Suite 1048; Robert Snoddy & Assoc., Suite 969; R.P. Brooks & Son, Suite 1145; Trends & Traditions, Suite 1142; Two’s Company/Tozai Home, Suite 2, main level.
West Edge: Spaces of Unlimited Creativity™
Sponsored by Interior Design magazine
A resonating success in 2004, West Edge returns to further explore the unlimited creativity of Los Angeles design. Five spaces throughout the show floor feature cutting-edge environments from corporate to hospitality and retail. Designed by a team of leading manufacturers and West Coast design firms and contractors, West Edge is sure to push creativity beyond its threshold. Attendees are the ultimate decision-makers in this competition as they judge each West Edge space and cast their ballots for their favorite space.
Speaking about last year’s West Edge, Nila Leiserowitz of Gensler, said, “I really enjoyed seeing all the West Edge spaces and seeing the different concepts reflected through each participating design firm. I was able to learn more about the different products represented through its design.” Participating design firms include Interior Architects, WWCOT, Chu & Gooding, Team HC and Langdon Wilson.
West Edge: Spaces of Unlimited Creativity Panel Presentation
Wednesday March 9, 5-6 p.m. (Complimentary to all guests)
Sponsored by: Interior Design magazine
Moderated by Edie Cohen of Interior Design magazine, this presentation explores each participating design firm’s vision of cutting-edge design and how their West Edge creative concept came to fruition despite design job constraints. Attendees will learn how best to keep creativity alive while still adhering to the guidelines of every project, and how to enhance the design process and encourage creativity on all fronts.
Best of NeoCon® Exhibit
This exhibit features products that received the prestigious Best of NeoCon® distinction from NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair 2004 in Chicago. As the highest distinction a commercial furnishings manufacturer can receive, it awards products that display the most innovative concepts in 25 product categories. The exhibit is sponsored by Contract magazine, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), IIDA, IFMA and McMorrow Report.
Viscusi Career Clinic
Wednesday & Thursday, March 9-10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Attendees can have their résumé critiqued by Stephen Viscusi and his staff for free. They can get the same sound career advice found in Viscusi's book, "On The Job: How to Make it In the Real World of Work" (Three Rivers Press); in his monthly column for Interiors & Sources magazine; and on his nationally syndicated radio talk show, "On the Job." All NeoCon West attendees are welcome; appointments are not necessary. For more information, visit www.viscusigroup.com.
REGISTRATION & TRAVEL
To register for NeoCon West, please visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon West. Whether traveling from across town or from the other side of the globe, let Mart Travel Services do all the work. MMPI's new online travel site offers exclusive travel deals through SABRE™, the world’s leading online travel system. SABRE offers the lowest applicable airfare, hotel, rail and car rental rates at the time of booking. To make individual or group reservations, simply contact Mart Travel Services by calling 800-528-8700 or by visiting www.merchandisemart.com and click on NeoCon West.
SHOW HOURS
Wednesday, March 9, 10 a.m..-6 p.m.
Thursday, March 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information about NeoCon West, including a complete listing of exhibitors, special events, seminars and association forums, please visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).
The L.A. Mart and NeoCon are registered trademarks of MMPI. Buildings Show is a registered trademark of Buildings magazine.
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, Chicago Apparel Center, and 33 North Dearborn 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. 34th Street in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner 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.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI)
Phone: 312-527-7074
E-mail: jmineau@mmart.com
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