Merchandise Mart To Host Spring High Point Seminars

Furniture World Magazine

The Suites at Market Square, owned and operated by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), will host a series of educational events during the upcoming Spring High Point Market, April 7-13. The events are co-sponsored by MMPI and High Point Market Authority. Talking Green In conjunction with the Suites at Market Square’s EcoStyle Pavilion, the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) and American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) will provide insight on a variety of environmentally responsible practices in the home furnishings industry. Monday, April 7 Shop Talk: Essential Things to Ask as You Shop Market 7:30 - 8:30 am, Suites at Market Square, Top Floor The Sustainable furniture Council presents “Great Starts!” Start your day with coffee, pastry, and some stirring conversation. Green Interior Design: It Makes a Difference Bernadette V. Upton, ASID, LEED AP of EcoDecor, GREEN INTERIOR DESIGN 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Suites at Market Square, Top Floor This course is designed to familiarize interior designers and other industry professionals of the viability and role of interior designer’s expertise in relation to high-performance, ecologically sound buildings. When green buildings do not involve “greening” of the interiors, the building envelope is often compromised and can void the architect’s and builder’s original intent… to design a building with ecological integrity. Seminar space for all SFC Luncheons is limited to the first 100 responses. RSVP to sustainablefurniturecouncil@gmail.com. Small Steps Make a Big Impact (AHFA) 4:00-5:00 pm, Suites at Market Square, Top Floor Highlighting “small” improvements companies have made that have had a significant impact on their operations, as well as on the environment. Wednesday, April 9 Smart Parts: All You Ever Needed to Know About Foams, Coatings, Textiles and Wood 7:30 - 8:30 am, Suites at Market Square, Top Floor The Sustainable Furniture Council presents “Great Starts!” Start your day with coffee, pastry, and some stirring conversation. A Word from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., Suites at Market Square, Top Floor The goal of the SCS is to recognize the highest levels of performance in food safety and quality, environmental protection and social responsibility in the private and public sectors, and to stimulate continuous improvement in sustainable development. As a leading third-party provider of auditing and testing services, certification, and standards, the SCS will provide a big-picture perspective as it applies to the furniture industry’s future. Seminar space for all SFC Luncheons is limited to the first 100 responses. RSVP to sustainablefurniturecouncil@gmail.com. The Search for Certified Wood- A Sensible Solution (AHFA) 4:00-5:00 pm, Suites at Market Square, Top Floor Tips of the trade on responsible wood sourcing. Thursday, April 10 Cleaning Up: Waste Reduction and Recycling Strategies 7:30-8:30 am, Suites at Market Square, Top Floor The Sustainable Furniture Council presents “Great Starts!” Start your day with coffee, pastry, and some stirring conversation. Behind the Logos: Understanding Green Product Certifications 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Suites at Market Square, Top Floor LEED, SFC, EPA…When it comes to environmentally responsible certifications, it’s hard to be a know-it-all. Get the breakdown on the who’s who, what’s what, and how to get what you need to become certified. Seminar space for all SFC Luncheons is limited to the first 100 responses. RSVP to sustainablefurniturecouncil@gmail.com. Business in the 21st Century The Interior Design Society will host a luncheon panel discussion Tuesday, April 8 at 12:00 lead by Lloyd Princeton. As founder and principal consultant of Design Management Company, Mr. Princeton will lead a distinguished group of panelists in a discussion about the new methodology of conducting business in the 21st Century. Panelists: Victor Pedraz- Senior VP of International Business Development for Design Management Company; Joe Fleischer - Senior Editor of Home Furnishings Business; Thomas Burak- Designer for Thibaut and Samuel & Sons Passamenterie; Jena Hall of AspenHome; John Pujol - President and CEO of Enkeboll Designs. Lunch & Seminar: $15 for IDS Members, $20 for non-IDS Members; Reserve your spot now by calling 336-884-4437/888-884-4469 or ewoody@interiordesignsociety.org. Swedish Design Symposium The Swedish Design Symposium, co-sponsored by Merchandise Mart Properties and the High Point Market Authority, in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Industrial Development Center West Sweden AB, is set for 2:00 on April, 7, 8 and 9 in the Suites at Market Square, Space 1-300 (Top Floor). Targeting domestic furniture manufacturers and designers, retailers and interior design firms, the Symposium is open to all Market attendees. Seminars will focus on how retailers, designers, and architects can effectively compete with IKEA in their marketplaces using comparable, higher quality, contemporary designs. No RSVP required. “Our industry constantly evolves, and education empowers industry professionals to evolve along with this rapidly changing business.” said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing for Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., “We are excited to offer these valuable educational opportunities to High Point Market attendees.” For more information about these seminars, visit http://mmart.com/highpoint/seminars.html About Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. 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 and 350 West Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest 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.