The latest trends in office design, sustainability, facilities management and workplace productivity are among the key issues to be highlighted at next month’s Office Talks seminars in Dubai.
Taking place as part of the Middle East’s biggest office showcase, The Office Exhibition, from 3-5 March at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Office Talks has attracted international and regional speakers who will share their knowledge on a wide range of topics with exhibitors and visitors at the show.
Sinead Bridgett, Exhibition Director at dmg world media, organisers of The Office Exhibition said the two day seminar, to be staged from 3-4 March, will address hot topics such as the relationship between workplace health and productivity, and the benefits of facilities management consultancy when developing an office concept.
Mick Dalton, General Manager of Marafeq FM will give an overview of added-value services that can be delivered by leading FM companies in the region on the opening day of the seminar. Dalton said: “Offices in the UAE are very basic. A huge range of services can be provided by best practice FM companies, beyond the usual building requirements like cleaning and maintenance.
“These added-value services might include on-site massages, shoe-shining at your desk, sandwich delivery services via web portals, or assisting with dinner appointments – services that people can do for you, and help to maintain a happy, healthy and productive workforce.”
Dalton said his presentation would benefit property mangers and FM managers running offices, building owners developing offices, property developers, and architects creating an office concept.
“People developing offices need to think about what tenants want, how to maximise an office space and how to effectively run offices, and in turn, how to help the people who work in offices to become more productive”, Dalton continued.
Keri Luly, Sustainability Program Manager at Allsteel will discuss the benefits of sustainability and a healthy workplace environment on the second day of the seminar. “Sustainability is more than the outdoor environment, it can have a very positive impact on the places where we work”, said Luly. “Office furnishings can affect indoor air quality and employee health, and material choices also impact the office environment. Smart employers and designers are using sustainability to attract and retain a talented workforce and create the workplace of the future.”
Sinead Bridgett said: “The office environment is constantly evolving. Office Talks, new to the exhibition in 2009, will provide a forum for industry experts to discuss the latest high-end office designs and solutions, and how businesses can successfully adapt to today’s office environment.
“We have attracted some very experienced international speakers who will bring a wealth of experience to the seminar. In addition to discussing new trends, they will educate businesses and individuals about ways to reduce costs, while increasing efficiency and productivity, crucial in the current global economic climate.”
For more information on The Office Exhibition or the seminar programme, visit www.theofficeexhibition.com
Office Talks seminar programme
Tuesday 3 March
11:00 - 12:00
Leverage your Logistics Power
Mr Stewart Brown, President, Independent Freight International
12:00 - 13:00
Facilities Management in offices - How can FM add value?
Mr Mick Dalton, Msc. B.Eng. (Hons), ACIBSE, AIOSH, MBIFM, Marafeq FM
14:00 - 15:00
Designing for Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Mr Allan Smith, Vice-President Marketing R&D – Europe / Steelcase, Steelcase
15:00 - 16:00
RAISED FLOORING: Architectural Delight
Mr Augusto Di Pietro, Regional Director, NESITE - Floor System Company
16:00 - 17:00
UNDERFLOOR AIR CONDITIONING: A Concept for Designing Today the Offices of Tomorrow
Mr Pantelis M. Kouzis, B.Eng. (Hons), EUR.ING, MASHRAE, EKA Building Systems LLC
17:00 - 18:00
Integrating and customising innovative multimedia technologies
Mr Stefano De Lissandri, President and CEO, Radio Marconi
18:00 - 19:00
Distributing power through the workplace
Mr Andy Pearson, Export Manager, The Electrak Division of Legrand Electric Ltd
Wednesday 4 March
11:00 - 12:00
The Elegance of Work
Mr Jeffrey Bernett, B&B Italia
12:00 - 13:00
Dutch Design by Marijn van der Poll
Mr Marijn van der Poll, Lead Designer, Marijn van der Poll/North
14:00 - 15:00
Sustainability and the Productive Workplace
Ms Keri Luly, Sustainability Program Manager, Allsteel
15:00 - 16:00
InterfaceFLOR Showroom - A Case Study of LEED CI Platinum
Mr Steven Pratt, Regional Manager, InterfaceFLOR
16:00 - 17:00
Power seats and visions of power - from James Bond to Chippendale
Mr Burkhard Remmers, Head of International Corporate Communication, Wilkhahn
17:00 - 18:00
GSS System: The New Global Power Outlet Standard
Dr Hani R. Azzouqah, Regional Manager, Eubiq Middle East FZCO
Caption: Mick Dalton, General Manager of Marafeq FM, will speak at the Office Talks seminar, taking place at The Office Exhibition in Dubai.
Notes to Editor
About The Office Exhibition
The Office Exhibition, being held from 3 – 5 March 2009, is open to trade visitors and will be held at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 10am – 7pm daily.
The Office Exhibition, the Gulf region’s flagship office solutions platform, has been designed to maximise business opportunities for regional and international suppliers of a variety of fields. Workstations & seating, consultancy & design, IT systems & security, filing & storage, floor & wall covering, lighting, office equipment & supplies, HR & training and real estate are amongst the fields covered under the Office umbrella. The event will feature exclusive product launches, cutting edge developments and innovative designs from world-renowned manufacturers and distributors. It also features the Workplace Freedom Conferences, where leading global specialists will share their knowledge and expertise on workplace related developments with the attendees.
About DMG world media
An international exhibition and publishing company, DMG world media Ltd produces more than 300 market-leading trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs each year and publishes 45 related magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports.
DMG world media employs more than 800 people and maintains a worldwide presence through 38 offices in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, the Middle East, China, Australia and New Zealand. DMG world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), one of the largest and most successful media companies in the United Kingdom
