Cologne Orgatec Contract Furniture Show Set For October 21-25

Furniture World Magazine

Orgatec focusing on all aspects of work environments From October 21-25, 2008 Orgatec in Cologne announced that it will once again present itself as the trade fair for the contract furnishing industry sector. The event will provide an overview of international offerings in furnishing, lighting, flooring, sound and AV technology in the office and object sector. The organizer expects 700 exhibitors and 57,000 attendees from all 5 continents. However it will also take a much deeper look how to make the office environment more productive reflecting this year’s theme "Better Office - Greater Success" – here the elements of the program: Ultima Office Ultima Office - one of the undisputed highlights at Orgatec. An internet based Think-Tank about Orgatec attendees’ expectations of the office future – Location - Orgatec Boulevard Ultima Office Dialogue Panel discussion on all five Orgatec days about Best Practices and latest developments related to the five segments at Orgatec. Practical examples range from the new Microsoft Office in Cologne through to the Lufthansa Aviation Center right up to British government ministries. Lectures on employee recruitment and securing employee loyalty or the theme of sustainability will round off the program. (Hall 6, Stand A70 / B71) Best Office Award The Best Office Award will also be focusing on outstanding Best Practice examples. The prize presentation will be held in connection with the opening of Orgatec 2008 „After Work Party“ on October 21 at the Rheinterrassen. The internationally recognized architecture professor Albert Speer will provide the key note address. Under the heading "Global pacesetters create scope for visions", the exhibition featuring the entries from the "Best Office 2008" international competition will also provide information about the prize-winners on each day of the fair. (Orgatec Boulevard, in front of Hall 10 / passage to the Northern Boulevard) Orgatec Boulevard The Orgatec Boulevard, a central axis connnecting all halls at the fairground will be used to present the main ideas at Orgatec. Architectural "Hot Spots" will reflect on all focal points such as furnishing, lighting, flooring, sound, AV technology. The "Architects' Offices" special exhibition is designed to sharpen visitors senses. (Orgatec Boulevard) "mPeople - Adventure Meeting" - AV Technology Special Show The "mPeople - Adventure Meeting" Special Show makes media technology a tangible, hands-on experience showing workflow and processes of multi-medialization. Video application, projection, networking, control systems and technology-incorporating furniture will be shown. (Hall 10.1, Stand F 68 / H69) "Office 2020" - Lighting Special Show "Office 2020" Special Show will focus on the role of light in workplaces. The event features room environments in which the office culture of tomorrow is already a tangible experience today. (Hall 8, Stand B19) "Floor is life" - Flooring Special Show The "Floor is life" highlights a broad variety of flooring materials and innovative floor-laying techniques. Panel will consist of designers, the skilled trades and the participating manufacturers who will discuss all aspects of flooring. (Hall 7, Stand C11) "Experiencing sounds" - Special Sound Show Exhibits of various manufacturers showing innovative and classic sound enhancing, manipulation and blocking solutions. Things to see here are sound cameras that capture detailed background sounds or the effects of room-partitioning which can be found in the "Room of tranquillity". Here the sound level of the trade show floor sorounding the stand area will be measured. (Hall 10, Stand D30 / E 31) Architects' Forum "WORK ON STAGE" "WORK ON STAGE" is a discussion forum with renowned experts discussing topics office design with facility planners, building owners and the public. This forum is directed towards architects, interior architects and designers and is organized between Koelnmesse and the Union of German Interior Architects/Designers – BDIA. The event takes place from October 22-24, 2008. Creating a positive mood and work atmosphere through the use of acoustics, lighting, media, facility management and floor design. Example of successfully-realized office projects will be presented. On stage will be all parties involved, from the building owner through to the planner up to the operators as well as the people working in the respective offices. (CC North, Konrad Adenauer Saal) 5th Orgatec Facility Management Congress The 5th Orgatec FM Congress, will be held on October 23rd in cooperation with the International Institute for Facility Management (i²fm) and Koelnmesse (Konrad-Adenauer-Saal, CC North) GEFMA Annual Meeting and GEFMA FM Excellence seminar Just as much of interest to facility managers are the events organized by the German Facility Management Association (GEFMA). In connection with Orgatec 2008 on 24th October, this association will be inviting its members to the annual meeting, which is also open to non-members after they have registered. Within this framework the GEFMA promotion prizes for the best project entries will also be presented. The promotion prizes worth over 3,000 Euro are awarded in recognition of successful business administrators and their projects (CC North, Rheinsaal 1-4). In addition, on 23rd October, GEFMA is also holding a seminar on certification, "FM-Excellence (ipv)". (CC North, Room D). "Prima Office" Office Forum The Office Forum under the heading "Prima Office" is directed at office managers, management staff from smaller and medium-sized companies as well as multiplicators. Lectures, workshops and guided tours will be presented and discussed on October 24 and 25. (CC East, Congress-Saal) "Mobile Working Spaces" - "The irritating workplace" - "100 years of George Nelson" The Orgatec communication program will be rounded off three presentations: "Mobile Working Spaces", "The irritating workplace" as well as "100 years of George Nelson. Teams made up of students from the design-based disciplines along with architects to develop temporary buildings for company founders in the design sector. In 2008 five innovative and experimental buildings will be implemented. The winning works will be presented at Orgatec. (Passage 3 / 11) "100 years of George Nelson" exhibition, organized by the Vitra Design Museum, is showing a comprehensive retrospective of the work of the American designer, who would have been 100 years old in 2008. (Hall 9, Stand A60 / B61) For information about exhibiting, registration or travel to Orgatec, please contact Veronica Woods, North American Project Manager at 773-326-9922 or v.woods@koelnmessenafta.com