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Rendezvous at the 2008 ZOW Architectural Lounge: Expanded Program of Events

Two years ago, the ZOW [East Westphalia Supplier Show] began staging events and focusing on special themes which are of interest to visitors from the architectural world. The spacious ZOW Architectural Lounge was a major attraction at the Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Center in 2007, and the 2008 show will build on this successful strategy. The “a-lounge” in Hall 20 will feature attractive partners and an expanded program of events.

There was general consensus among exhibitors and visitors at ZOW last year that the events which were staged at the Architectural lounge were attractive, compact, informative and highly appropriate for the target group. This dedicated zone with its appealing ambience acted as a central meeting and information platform. It hosted a series of talks, an exhibition program and an opportunity for professionals to get together and exchange views. It was also the staging point for tours which were held several times at day focusing on specific themes. The list of positive comments received as feedback from visitors and exhibitors on the architecture program at ZOW included “highly recommended”, “zeroes in on the core issues”, “a good orientation aid”, “versatile and competent” and “a good opportunity to share information and make new contacts”.

Once again this year, the Architectural Lounge, or a-lounge for short, will be a hotspot for all friends of architecture and design. An expanded and highly attractive program of events on about 200 m2 of space will effectively help the target group to maintain their bearings at ZOW. This year the lounge will be in Hall 20 which is centrally located at the show.

Varied Program at the Exhibition Platform: a-view

The ”a-view" exhibition platform in the a-lounge area will display selected work, projects and the results of competitions which are organized by the participating partners. The German Interior Architects and Designers Association (BDIA) will highlight outstanding interior architecture projects from the 2007 BDIA Handbook. The iF International Forum Design (Hanover) will provide information in the lounge about its latest competitions. iF has achieved international recognition for the iF design award which has been presented to winners annually since 1954. The competition is one of the most prestigious in the world. As lounge design partners, Material Connexion Cologne will showcase its expertise in the “Textiles+more” exhibition. Steelcase, which is a leading producer of office furnishings and innovative interior solutions, will provide the furniture in the a-lounge. And last but not least will the renowned architecture magazine Detail present itself as lounge partner in 2008.

The a-way program will offer eight theme tours daily for architects and persons who have an interest in architecture. Tours will explore the latest products and materials at stands throughout the exhibition center. The exhibitors will offer brief presentations of selected products. Later on, visitors will have the opportunity to augment the basic information which they received during the tour. The first a-way tours start at 10:30 A.M. and take about 45 minutes. They tours run again at 2 P.M. for visitors who had to attend appointments in the morning. Persons who wish to take the tours meet at the Infothek in the a-lounge.

Informative Talks: a-net

Talks in the a-net series start daily at 3:30 P.M. The speakers focus on company reports and collaboration between architects and exhibitors.
a-net highlights the opportunities for regional products in the global competitive marketplace. Do architects make use of local resources? What are the new challenges and how does collaboration between architects and local suppliers work? What impetus can designers provide to suppliers and vice versa? The speakers look at these issues from various points of view.

Product Tests for Architects: a-test

a-test gives visitors the opportunity to assess the design features of selected products from ZOW exhibitors. Which product has the highest potential in architectural applications? a-test can be a rewarding experience. Those who take part have the chance of winning one of three attractive trips to ZOW Pordenone 2008 plus a visit to the Biennale in neighboring Venice. The trips will be raffled by ZOW organizer Survey Marketing + Consulting.

Other Events at ZOW

The Architecture Lounge is not the only place where the target group of architects, interior architects and designers will be able to experience attractive events and special themes at ZOW. The latest innovation in the industry will be on display at the “M Technology Award” exhibition in the foyer of Hall 19. Exhibitors and non-exhibitors alike can submit entries to the competition (for online registration got to: www.ifdesign.de). The official award ceremony will take place at 5 P.M. on February 25th, 2008 in the Symposium Room (Halls 22/23). E3S, the international trade forum for solid surface and engineered stone, is a special feature of ZOW. This show, which focuses on the commercial market, takes place in Hall 22.2. There is nowhere else in Europe where visitors can see such a broad range of materials, engineering developments and applications.

ZOW 2008 will take place on February 25th - 28th, 2008 in Halls 19-23 at the Bad Salzuflen exhibition center. a-lounge: Hall 20, M Technology Award: Hall 19, E3S: Hall 22.2. Please go to www.zow.de and www.e3s.info for more information.