BIFMA takes a new tack at NeoCon: Trends come and go, Standards are forever
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Celebrating 45 years as an association, BIFMA - the Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association - is showcasing at NeoCon 2018 its new work in education and outreach to the design industry, while highlighting questionable fashion choices from the 1970s. Simply put, great furniture comes from great standards and product performance never goes out of style.
 
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association will be front and center with outreach to their stakeholders during NeoCon 2018. Along with a collection of 1970’s full-sized paper doll fashion models named - Thad, Maurice, and Robin - the association is representing the idea that even at a time of changing trends and design, one constant that’s never out of fashion is trusted standards.
 
 “BIFMA’s 45-year history has been one of creating safety, performance, and sustainability standards for an entire industry. And we’ve seen a lot of changes in both work and workplace design over the years," says Jennifer Wammack, Director of Outreach at BIFMA. "We’re increasing our work to support the design community with broader content while having a little fun with these once fashionable designs from when BIFMA was formed. But we know that the work of the designer isn’t to be trendy, it’s about providing a service that supports brand, engagement, and client needs.”
 
BIFMA is offering scheduled discussions at their booth on the seventh floor of the Merchandise Mart, space 7-10046, during the show. The association is using its presence at NeoCon to hear directly from designers about their view on the future of the practice of design and the role that furniture plays. 
 
BIFMA is also showcasing the work of Pratt Institute Industrial Design student, Sam Cotton, in the BIFMA NeoCon Booth # 7-10046. 
 
“We are proud of our collaboration with the Furniture Studio at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. We have been providing our standards and guidelines to students as part of their education and we’re delighted to feature some of the student work” says Executive Director Tom Reardon of BIFMA.
 
Also at NeoCon, Wammack is presenting "Standards, Engagement and Trends in Commercial Interiors, and Why Products Matter," on Tuesday June 12. Register here at the NeoCon 2018 website. 
 
This seminar offers a review of the value of standards for commercial furniture and how materials can affect employee engagement. It is intended to familiarize the A&D community, facility managers, commercial building owners, end users, dealers, and manufacturers with the issues associated with why standards matter and why employee engagement can be affected by quality materials and how it applies to their everyday need to specify sustainable products. We will identify specific standards that apply to safety and performance and the implications of what a lack of standards can mean to products. We will discuss the changing physiology of our populations and how employee engagement is affected by materials and design. 
 
BIFMA is inviting interested parties to arrange an appointment by emailing [email protected] or stopping by for a one-on-one chat.
 
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association is the voice for the commercial furniture industry. BIFMA develops safety, performance, and sustainability standards that ensure product performance. BIFMA provides data and analytics that the industry uses to make key manufacturing decisions. The organization advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.
 
BIFMA is the go-to resource providing tools commercial furniture manufacturers need to ensure that products work. BIFMA adds to its leadership role with education and outreach initiatives that inform all stakeholders. This strong, uniquely equipped industry leader steps up with information, tools and insights that make us all smarter.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.