FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASID's Continuing Education at NeoCon Offers Off-Site Learning at Design Inspired Chicago Locations
Destination Management Company honored for its work on ASID off-site experiential learning courses

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2009) | As part of the first ever ASID National Conference at NeoCon (June 15 - 17), ASID will offer off-site experiential learning courses at historic, design-rich locations throughout Chicago. This year, ASID moved their annual conference to NeoCon World's Trade Fair, the world's largest design exposition and conference that houses 1.2 million square feet of product and exhibition space and, with the Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), will offer new programs such as off-site learning to enhance the already well developed and attended conference.

In related news, BBC Destination Management, the company ASID worked with to create the experiential programs for last year's annual conference in New Orleans was honored by the Association of Destination Management Executives for the best tour program of 2008.

For NeoCon, ASID created four off-site experiential learning courses that take attendees out of the classroom and to various locations around Chicago to study design in person and up close. Attendees can choose from the Chicago Spire, the Blackstone Hotel, the Emerald and EcoLogic Lofts, and the Joffrey Ballet.

Awe InSPIREing The Chicago Spire

Currently under construction, the Santiago Calatrava-designed Chicago Spire will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, housing 1,200 luxury condominiums on 150 floors. Visit the Spire's new multi-million dollar sales center-the entire 18th floor of the NBC Tower-for unrivalled views of the site, two condominium models and the signature Calatrava Gallery.

Beaux Nouveau The Blackstone Hotel

The $128 million renovation of this 23-story, Beaux-Arts building features award winning restoration of the 1910-built Chicago landmark. The property now boasts a collection of more than 1,400 contemporary works of arts by local artists. Learn how the hotel updated the traditional lobby with gilded details, French walnut paneled walls and brilliant chandeliers with an avant-garde, video-generated computer art piece.

Eco Logic The Emerald and EcoLogic Lofts

A contemporary, 12-story twin tower condominium development in the West Loop, the Emerald offers unobstructed views of downtown mixed with eco-friendly designer environments. The ultra-hip lobby with a luxe great room, fitness center and private bar area rivals many hotels. EcoLogic Lofts, seven stories with 94 units, will be the only condominium building of its size in Chicago to utilize wind turbines.

On Pointe The Joffrey Ballet

The Joffrey Tower, the dance company's new, glass and steel, 40,000-square-foot complex features seven state-of-the-art studios with high ceilings, climate control, acoustics features and massive windows, including one that can morph into an outward facing theater that invites pedestrians below to look in on the dancers.

For session and event times and to register go to www.neocon.com.
ASID conference-specific information can be found at www.asid.org/foryou09.

ASID would like to thank Closet Factory, Dornbracht and Lutron for their generous sponsorship of the off-site experiential learning programs.

Other ASID National Conference at NeoCon sponsors include Sherwin-Williams, Art Rent & Lease, PLiNTH & CHiNTZ, CS Interiors/ Modern Luxury magazine, Interior Talent Inc., Metropolis and Spectrum West

About ASID: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people-designers, industry representatives, educators and students-committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people's lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
www.asid.org