ASID Announces Events at NeoCon

Washington, DC, May 30, 2007--The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is pleased to announce its roster of educational offerings and special events as part of NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, June 11 – 13, at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Among the highlights, ASID will sponsor the association forum

“The Multigenerational Workforce – Strategies for Success in a New Work World;” six continuing education courses on vital business and office design topics; the ASID Student Career Exchange, a networking opportunity for students to connect with more than 25 top design and architecture firms; and “A Design Affair,” a cocktail reception hosted by ASID and Steelcase, Industry Partner of ASID.

ASID also invites NeoCon attendees to its booth to “meet the experts” in multigenerational workplace design and discover the latest and greatest of ASID offering. Join ASID on the eighth floor of the Mart (8-9074A), from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on June 11 – 13.

Monday, June 11

Furniture and Space Planning That Meets Building Codes

Kimberly A. Marks, ASID, IIDA (San Antonio, Texas)

8 – 9 a.m.

The International Building Code (IBC) has a different way of communicating exiting requirements in relation to furniture planning than the previous model building codes. This one-hour seminar will highlight the portions of the 2006 IBC that are interpreted to impact how furniture must be arranged to meet egress requirements, along with other factors such as required fire ratings on materials, size and weight limitations and exit lighting.

The Law of Cyberspace

Lauren Zimmerman, attorney and interior designer (Maitland, Fla.)

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Cyberspace is an exciting, explosive, virtual and evolving techno-culture, presenting a host of new and difficult legal questions. The development of legal rules that will govern activity in this environment is complex and controversial. This session will help designers navigate those complexities, explaining where the laws are going and identifying future legal issues that may arise. Contract law, jurisdiction and trademark issues will be discussed. A must for anyone who does business on the Internet.

Think Like an Entrepreneur

Jane Pollak, Industry Partner Representative for Jane Pollak, Inc. (Westport, Conn.)

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

This session is a “velvet boot camp” for business owners wanting a firm yet gentle push to the next level. From marketing and branding to networking and prospecting, this session offers real-world tips and techniques for accelerating your business success.

Visual Quality by Design

Dr. Sally Augustin, Haworth, Inc. (Holland, Mich.)

11 a.m. – noon

Visual quality impacts worker productivity, consumer behavior and the bottom line. This course will explore the visual experience of a space: how users evaluate environments and what meanings they see in it. By understanding perceptions, trade-offs and design synthesis you can engage your clients with a plan that enhances spatial experiences. Course attendees will learn how to use complexity, order, naturalness, openness, upkeep, novelty, style and more to create successful and meaningful designs.

ASID Networking Reception

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This annual event invites designers and industry professionals to re-energize, recharge and revive while catching up with friends! Graze on fantastic fare and sensational sweets. Visit www.asidillinois.com for more details.

Tuesday, June 12

The Multigenerational Workforce – Strategies for Success in a New Work World

Sandy Crocker, generational specialist (South Euclid, Ohio)

Sue Markham, FASID, Gulf Power Company, A Southern Company (Pensacola, Fla.)

Kay Sargent, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, IA Interior Architects (Washington, D.C.)

Teresa Sowell, ASID, Raytheon Missile Systems (Tucson, Ariz.)

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Today’s workplaces may include up to four generations of employees, each with its own unique set of behaviors, value systems, norms and work styles. This interactive panel will provide insight into the four generations at work—Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers and Millennials—and will discuss the challenges and opportunities that each brings to the workplace. The forum will also address strategies to avoid conflict between cohorts while leveraging the unique and positive approaches each has to offer. Case studies will further illuminate how designers are creating spaces to accommodate varying needs and styles, enabling all employees to work productively.

A Design Affair – The Other Love in Your Life

5:30 – 7 p.m.

After a day at the Mart, join hosts ASID and Steelcase, Industry Partner of ASID, for tasty treats, cocktails and connections in the Steelcase showroom. Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to kick back with fellow NeoCon participants and take it all in! ASID leaders, practitioner members, Industry Partners and student members are all invited.

Wednesday, June 13

ASID Student Career Exchange

9 – 10:30 a.m.

Take advantage of this great networking opportunity! More than 25 top design and architecture firms as well as manufacturers will have representatives on hand to offer information about their companies, answer questions about careers in the industry and review portfolios. ASID professional designers will also be on site to critique your resume and portfolio and answer your questions.

Buyer Behavior in Interior Design

Christine Piotrowski, ASID, IIDA (Phoenix, Ariz.)

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Consumers solicit professional interior design services for a variety of reasons and to meet diverse needs. Understanding buyer motivations and various buyer cohorts will help you meet client needs more effectively. This course provides details about what motivates buyers, the buyer decision making process and characteristics of buyer cohorts. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of the varying needs of potential clients and strategies to effectively reach them.

Find Your Dream Job!

Kenneth Roberts, Industry Partner Representative for Interior Talent Inc. (Winter Park, Fla.)

1 – 2 p.m.

Are you ready to start your job search and land your dream job? Before you do, there are many questions to ask, and this session will help you find the answers. Specific strategies will be discussed as well as concrete ideas for crafting your resume, getting your resume in front of a decision maker, putting together your portfolio and navigating the interview process. This session is part of the ASID Career Starter Series.

For more information on ASID at NeoCon, please visit www.asid.org/neocon. For general information about NeoCon, visit www.merchandisemart.com.

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