NeoCon East will provide show attendees a full calendar of special events and exhibits for networking and unwinding during the two day Show, October 17-18.

Following is a summary of scheduled Special Events and Show Floor Exhibits:

SPECIAL EVENTS

IIDA PRINCIPALS' ROUNDTABLE

Wednesday, October 17, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Free

The Principals’ Roundtable is back! IIDA and Interior Designmagazine invite design firm leaders to join a select group of peers for the 2012 IIDA Principals' Roundtable at NeoCon East. Moderated by Publisher Mark Strauss of Interior Designmagazine, this high-profile think tank is convened to explore current topics facing design leadership and discusses direction to elevate the position of design in today's marketplace. This roundtable is for principals and senior management of local A&D firms only.

Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, October 8 to Michael Ancheta at iidahq@iida.org or (888) 799-IIDA.

STATE OF THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL PANEL [SE2]

Presented by: Design Leadership Council of Washington D.C.
Wednesday, October 17, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Free
Theater, Show Floor

Join us for a lively discussion with principals of leading firms who will explore where we are as professionals, the business outlook, design innovations, collaborations and our world for young design professionals. Following this panel program, you are invited to join us for the "Dream Team" Excellence Awards announcement. Register today for this event.

Moderator:
Back by Popular Demand...John Czarnecki, Editor, Contract Magazine

Panelists:
Cheryl Brown, Principal, Smith Group
Ruth Jansson, Associate Principal, AECOM
Barbara Magistro, Principal, GTM
Terry Perry, Associate Vice President, WBA and HGA Co.
Neil Sumner, Principal, SKB
Jim Williamson, Principal, Gensler

NeoCon East CANucopia
Upper Pratt Steet Lobby, Level 300

Wednesday, October 17 – Thursday, October 18
Want to get involved? Yes you CAN.  All it takes is one can to make a difference. Join your fellow NeoCon East attendees and exhibitors and donate just one can of non-perishable food to the Maryland Food Bank.  NeoCon East will be accepting food donations in the Upper Pratt Street Lobby, Level 300, near registration. Our goal is to collect 200lbs. of food in two days. Stop by often throughout the show to see our progress and to make your donation.

SHOW FLOOR NETWORKING RECEPTION [SE3]

Wednesday, October 17, 4 - 6 p.m.
Free

Catch up with friends, network with colleagues and celebrate a successful end to the first day of NeoCon East. Breeze the show floor while visiting your favorite manufacturers and enjoy food and beverages from around the floor and in select exhibit booths.

Register to attendand check the NeoCon East website for a listing of booth hospitality and receptions coming soon.

2012 BALTIMORE ARCHITECTURE MONTH

Leading up to NeoCon East, AIA Baltimore, The American Institute of Architects serving central Maryland, and its partner organizations will present the 9th annual Baltimore Architecture Month(s), September 6 – November 1. Join AIA Baltimore in celebrating their rich architectural heritage with lectures, panel discussions, exhibits, receptions, and tours. For details, see www.aiabalt.com or call (410) 625-2585

LEED Green Associate Overview & Exam Prep [SE1]

An 8 Hour Workshop on Green Building Principles & LEED Core Concepts

Tuesday, October 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NeoCon East / Baltimore Convention Center – Baltimore, MD
$299 Seminar / $349 Seminar and Flashcards
Registration is required /space is limited
Credits: 8.0 HSW AIA credits (4 SD)
Study materials included. Breakfast and lunch provided.

If you are just beginning your career in green building or if you are not currently a LEED AP, the LEED Green Associate Accreditation is for you. LEED Green Associate is the introductory-level LEED credential, and sets you apart from your competition as a green building expert. This 8-hour seminar provides an introduction to green building and sustainable design principles, specifically as they relate to USGBC's LEED green building rating system. It prepares individuals to pass the LEED Green Associate exam on the first try, and is the first step in becoming a LEED professional.

Speaker: Marie Marberg, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Green Education Services is an Approved EPA CertificationTrainer, a USGBC Education Provider & a National Member of CaGBC.

For a complete workshop details and registration information: http://leed-exam-prep-neocon-east-2012.eventbrite.com/

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

CANSTRUCTION – BOOS AND GHOULS OF BALTIMORE

Show Floor, near theater
NeoCon East 2012, in partnership with AIA Baltimore, is proud to host Canstruction. Canstruction is a nonprofit organization that holds annual design and build competitions for local A&D firms to construct fantastic, giant sized, structures made entirely out of canned food. Since 1992, Canstruction has contributed over 17.5 million pounds of food to community food banks demonstrating that we can win the fight against hunger.

The structures will be on display throughout NeoCon East, featuring the theme “Boos and Ghouls of Baltimore”. Once the competition is complete, the structures will be deconstructed and all the canned food will be donated to Baltimore's local food bank. This year's teams include ACArchitectural Consulting, Ayes Saint Gross Architects, Hord Coplan Mach, and Marks, Thomas Architects.  This year’s sponsors include Altro Floor and Wall Systems, Arcadia, and Groupe Lacasse.
In its 4-year history, AIA Baltimore's participation in Canstruction has given the Maryland Food Bank a total of more than 60,000 pounds of food and over $5000 in cash.

NeoCon East is proud to participate in this noteworthy cause.

For more information on how to participate in Canstructionat NeoCon East, please contact Ken Dill at Kenneth.dill@kci.com.

2012 AIA BALTIMORE EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARDS

Show Floor Exhibit

Winners and entrants of the American Institute of Architects AIA Baltimore Chapter’s 2012 Excellence in Design Awards will be on exhibit throughout the show floor.

ASID MARYLAND CHAPTER DESIGN COMPETITION

Booth #2000

The Maryland Chapter of ASID will display photos of the winning entries from the Chapter Design Competition at their booth. This yearly competition is co-sponsored by Chesapeake Homemagazine.

BEST OF NEOCON

Various Exhibit Spaces

Commercial interior products that received the renowned Best of NeoCon distinction at NeoCon 2012 in Chicago will be showcased for the first time on the East Coast during NeoCon East. The Best of NeoCon award is the highest honor a commercial furnishing manufacturer can receive. Judging is completed at The Merchandise Mart by approximately 45 facilities managers and interior designers who award products that display the most innovative concepts in 40 different product categories.

GSA INTEGRATED WORKPLACE ACQUISITION CENTER

Booth #2402/2403

More than $1.3 billion in furniture/furnishings are specified for the federal government through the GSA Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center (formerly National Furniture Center) every year. GSA will be on site to assist Federal employees and exhibitors through the government procurement process. From barracks to traditional office space to patient rooms, the GSA Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center is your one-stop-shop. The GSA Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center is committed to providing Federal employees the acquisition solutions to meet their requirements and budget. Stop by GSA's booth #2402/2403 and discover the many ways GSA can simplify the furniture procurement process for you. Exhibitors interested in selling to the government are also encouraged to speak with a GSA representative. There will be a live GSA e-tools lab within the booth this year for customers and industry to work with GSA representatives on understanding GSA e-Library, GSA e-Buy, and GSA Advantage.

IIDA/CONTRACT MAGAZINE BOOTH DESIGN AWARD AT NEOCON EAST

Booth #2300

An innovative award recognizing corporate branding initiatives for show displays, this eighth annual competition recognizes outstanding creativity in booth design at NeoCon East each year. Design criteria includes the originality of design, visual impact, effective use of materials and the outstanding use of space, color, texture, lighting and graphics. Past winners have featured innovative display concepts. Winners will be announced at the IIDA booth at NeoCon East and featured in IIDA Social Media and Contract magazine.

THINK:MATERIAL

Booth #2393

THINK: Material, a decorative materials resource. A playground of inspiration for the materials enthusiast, manufacturers and the architecture and design community. Based on contextual need, the architect/designer is presented with an extensive array of material options, ranging from high-performance to intelligent applications that will stimulate the creative process and play an integral role on the impact of finished projects.

Register for NeoCon East

To register for complimentary admissionto NeoCon East, visit www.neoconeast.com. Online registration for special events is now available. Pre-registration ends Oct. 10. For more information, call 800.677.6278 (MART) or visit www.merchandisemart.com.

NeoCon East is a registered trademark of MMPI.