Essentials Magazine Essentials Fall 2019 | Page 43

President’s Perspective
EDspaces – Keeping It Fresh
BY JIM MCGARRY
EDmarket President & CEO
T
here is a reason that EDspaces has been named one
of the fastest growing tradeshows in the U.S. for the
last three years running: your fellow leaders on the
EDspaces Planning Committee are innovative and forward
thinking. Each year there are new initiatives to enhance
the experience and expand the scope of learning and fun.
2019 in Milwaukee is no exception. Here are just a few of
the exciting new experiences that EDspaces attendees will
enjoy.
First, the designed classrooms
have become a highly anticipat-
ed program at EDspaces. Each
year A&D firms, dealers and
manufacturers compete to design
and outfit each of the classrooms
where the professional devel-
opment will take place. These
learning spaces allow attendees
the opportunity to experience
new classroom design theory as
well as some of the most inno-
vative products and technology
available. To better highlight
these designs, there will be an
Open House on Wednesday,
October 23 at 5:00 pm to provide
attendees the opportunity to
more thoroughly explore the
classrooms and speak with the
designers and manufacturers
to better understand how those
concepts and furnishings might
work in their projects.
Since the classroom program
has been such a great success,
we are expanding the concept
to the cafeteria seating on the
exhibit floor. This year the
seating areas will be designed
and furnished by AmTab Man-
ufacturing, mediatechnologies,
and Palmer Hamilton. Now the
EDspaces Cafe will be part of
the overall experience and a real
showcase of what is possible.
Another new aspect of ED-
spaces centers on using artificial
intelligence to connect attendees
with relevant education sessions,
peers, and products. The con-
nectED mobile app is based
on the answers to three quick
questions at registration. This
new program will suggest con-
nections to make the EDspaces
experience more meaningful and
help attendees better utilize their
time and meet with the individu-
als and companies that can most
help deliver the results they seek.
Come and meet with your
association staff at the EDmar-
ket Arcade. Have a little fun
and test your hand at skee-ball,
®
American Tables - Since 1958
www.AmTab.com
800.878.2257
essentials | www.edmarket.org 43