NeoCon East 2005 Special Events Preview

AWARDS, SPECIAL EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND ATTRACTIONS ENHANCE

NEOCON^®EAST 2005 IN BALTIMORE

BALTIMORE (July 11, 2005) - NeoCon^®East, returning to the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md., for its third year, provides inspiring solutions for the design and management of the built environment. The show will take place Sept. 14-15, 2005, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday. Show attendees will have access to a wide variety of social and networking events, in addition to CEU-accredited seminars and association forums, while exploring the latest trends and innovations in design, products, resources and communications. Industry associations, organizations and exhibitors will be participating in this array of intriguing events:

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

Edward Feiner

Director of Office Operations, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Washington, D.C.

“Excellence by Design”

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Noon – Theater, Show Floor

Sponsored by: International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

Media Sponsor: Interior Design magazine

Show attendees are invited to join Edward Feiner, director of office operations at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 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.

Thomas Mayne

Founder/Principal, Morphosis Architects, Los Angeles, Calif.

Thursday, Sept. 15

3 p.m. – Theater, Show Floor

Sponsored by: METROPOLIS magazine

Ken Wilson, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, principal of Envision Design, will deliver his keynote address, entitled “Green Design: The Intelligent Approach to Interiors.” He 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.

TOURS

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Wednesday, Sept. 14

9 -10:30 a.m.

The Johns Hopkins tour will consist of a short lecture followed by an incredible tour of the facilities. Attendees will learn how a major institution like Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions plans for future capital improvements. Presented by: Today’s Facility Manager magazine

Baltimore Visitors Center

Wednesday, Sept. 14

2 p.m.

Attendees will have the chance to view the newly designed Baltimore Visitors Center and take in all the “charm” of Charm City while touring a cutting-edge facility. They will also learn the inspiration behind its development and the project imperatives that contributed to its success. Presented by: Design Collective, Inc.

Creating an Urban Oasis, The Design of New Boutique Hotels in Baltimore

Thursday, Sept. 15

9 a.m.-noon

The tour will cover the successes of urban boutique hotels in Baltimore and the design efforts by architects, interior designers, graphic designers and restaurant owners to create beautiful spaces. The tour will visit three hotel types from a modern bed and breakfast to a corporate hotel. Presented by: Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD)

SPECIAL EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Product Design Showcase

Meet the creative forces behind the products at NeoCon East 2005. Attendees will hear from top product designers as they discuss their inspirations in select exhibitor booths. Show directories are available on site and include a complete schedule of products designer presentations. Sponsored by Interior Design magazine.

Principals’ Roundtable

Wednesday, Sept. 14

9 -10:30 a.m.

Presented by: International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Interior Design magazine

Moderated by Interior Design magazine, this high-profile think tank is being convened to discuss current topics facing design leaders and innovators, and includes ways to enhance the position of design in today’s marketplace. This roundtable is for principals and senior management in Baltimore/D.C. area design firms only. Please R.S.V.P. no later than Friday, September 2 to Jocelyn Pysarchuk, managing director of communications for IIDA at 888.799.4432 or jpysarchuk@iida.org.

IIDA Booth Competition

IIDA and Contract magazine are looking for the best product exhibits at NeoCon East. The annual Booth Design Competition spotlights the most original trade show spaces on display. Judging will take place on Wednesday morning, Sept. 14. For more information or an entry form, e-mail eellermann@iida.org or log on to www.iida.org.

Tour for the Cure-Battle Against Breast Cancer Supporting Our Industry

Select NeoCon East exhibitors are taking part in this special fundraising event to show their support for The Common Thread for the Cure, a non-profit foundation established to unite the furnishings industry in the battle against breast cancer by confidential financial grants. For more information, contact Suzann Burkhead-Bray at 336.841.4868 or visit
www.commonthread.info.

Panel Presentation – “Modular Construction: Opportunities in Sustainability”

Sponsored by: International Furnishings Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Chesapeake Chapter

Wednesday, Sept. 14

3 p.m.

Theater, Show Floor

Lou Ghitman, senior associate director of interior architecture for the Design Collective in Baltimore will lead this insightful and lively discussion relative to the benefits of “modular” construction and other sustainability related opportunities available to the design and construction industries.

Executive Job Search at the Viscusi Career Center

Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14-15

9 a.m.-4 pm.

Resumes will be critiqued by Stephen Viscusi and his staff for free. Attendees will get the same sound advice found in Viscusi’s book “On the Job: How to Make it in the Real World of Work” (Three Rivers Press). All attendees are welcome; appointments are not necessary. For more information, visit www.viscusigroup.com.

Live! From the Show Floor at NeoCon East

Dave Foster, flooring guru and host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show “Floor Radio” help identify and navigate the “wealth” of leading floor covering products and manufacturers at NeoCon East. Foster will conduct live interviews and get the inside perspective on hundreds of floor covering products. Sponsored by Zeftron Nylon: find Foster in the Zeftron booth on the show floor during the second day of NeoCon East!

FocusOnDesign, brings diverse partners together to present: Designer-Activism: “A Call for Positive Change Through Design”

This conference will provide an interdisciplinary and diverse forum where design scholars, students, practicing professionals and end-users will be encouraged to investigate the significance of the design process as a catalyst or detriment to positive social change in the global community.

Student Series at NeoCon East

Sponsor: Haworth

Thursday, Sept. 15

9 a.m.-4p.m.

This day provides activities geared to interior design and architecture students throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. A career exchange, round-table discussions, seminars, networking and walking the show floor provide ample opportunities to experience “real-world” exposure to the industry. Stephen Viscusi will kick off the student series activities and design experts Ken Wilson and Thomas Mayne will share their expertise during their keynote presentations. The day is complimentary for students and professors, but registration is required.

EXHIBITS

AIA Baltimore Excellence in Design Awards

Winners and entrants of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Baltimore Chapter’s 2005 Excellence in Design Awards will be on exhibit throughout the show floor.

ASID Maryland Chapter Design Competition

The Maryland Chapter of ASID will display the winning boards from the Chapter Design Competition, located on the exhibit floor. This yearly competition is co-sponsored by Chesapeake Home magazine.

National Building Museum Shop

The National Building Museum Shop offers unique merchandise, focusing on items that demonstrate good design, combining style and fun with usefulness and educational value. Items include a wide selection of industry books for readers of all ages and interests, on topics ranging from architecture and urbanism to history and popular culture. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2005, the National Building Museum is America’s premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction and planning. For more information, go to www.nbm.org for more information.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE SHOW

GSA-National Furniture Center

General Service Administration (GSA) will be on site to assist federal employees and exhibitors in navigating the government procurement process. From barracks to traditional office spaces and patient rooms, the National Furniture Center delivers a "one-stop" shop. Exhibitors interested in selling to the government are also encouraged to speak with a GSA representative on site.

Best of NeoCon^® Lounge

Showcased together for the first time on the East Coast, a gallery of Best of NeoCon^® World’s Trade Fair 2005 products will be on display. The Best of NeoCon recognition is the highest honor awarded in the commercial furniture and furnishings industries. Judging is completed by facility managers and interior designers who recognize the most innovative new products in 29 categories. Designed by Interior Architects (IA) Washington, D.C. offices, new this year will be the "Connection Lounge,” a comfortable space to relax where all Best of NeoCon winners will be presented in person or in print.

Sponsored by Contract magazine, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., IIDA, IFMA and McMorrowReport.com.

RECEPTIONS

After Dark Party at NeoCon East

Wednesday, Sept. 14

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Sculpture Barn and Garden, American Visionary Arts Museum

800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Md.

Sponsored by: MMPI, American Society of Interior Design (ASID) National, The ASID Maryland Chapter, Teknion, LLC and IIDA

Just minutes away from the Baltimore Convention Center, the celebration of NeoCon East will continue into the night at the Sculpture Barn and Garden, part of the hip, uniquely designed American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). This celebration kicks off the first night of the show with drinks and hors d’oeuvres and hundreds of design professionals from the Mid-Atlantic region.

Opening Night Industry Celebration

Wednesday, Sept. 14

4 – 6 p.m.

Theater, Show Floor

Various exhibitors will kick into party mode in this end-of-day celebration. Attendees can browse the show floor while visiting their favorite manufacturers and enjoying delicious cocktails and appetizers in select exhibit booths.

RELATED YEAR-ROUND DESIGN DESTINATIONS

The Architects & Designers Building

150 East 58th Street, New York, N.Y.

Located in the East Midtown Manhattan business grid, the Architects & Designers (A&D) Building is known as “New York’s Ultimate Showroom Resource” for contract, kitchen/bath and residential furnishings. Home to major top-tier contract furnishings vendors, it is also one of the largest kitchen and bath centers in the United States. In addition, A&D’s high-end showrooms carry a most impressive and extensive range of home building and renovation products. For more information on this design showroom resource, visit www.adbuilding.com or phone 212.644.2766.

The Washington Design Center

300 D. Street S.W., Washington, D.C.

The Washington Design Center is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. and has been the Mid-Atlantic's largest single resource and destination for the design industry for more than 20 years. The Washington Design Center is home to more than 65 industry-leading showrooms and offers a wide array of both trade and consumer programs throughout the year. With nearly 400,000 square feet of space, the Washington Design Center showcases the latest products in residential, commercial, kitchen, bath and building product showrooms. To learn more, visit www.merchandisemart.com/dcdesigncenter or phone 202.646.6118.

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

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show, leasing 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, 350 W. Mart 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 New York 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.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Natalie Campbell

Public Relations Associate

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

312-527-7790

ncampbell@mmart.com