'OFIS Design Futures 2009' sets direction For modern working

The conference coincides with the opening of the OFIS showroom, as the UAE's leading office furniture solutions store moves to a state-of-the-art store, providing four times the space, interactive display areas, and an auditorium.

The event will take place at the new 30,000 sq. ft OFIS showroom near Maktoum Bridge on 10th and 11th June 2009, with speakers from the UK, Germany, and the UAE, covering topics from design administration to how school design can promote learning.

"The speakers at this year's event are important opinion leaders in the world of office and school design. OFIS Design Futures 2009 provides the industry an opportunity to discuss the current market trends, and explore the needs of the future office environment," said Ajai Dayal, General Manager - Retail and Marketing, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group.

"Hosting this event at the new OFIS showroom highlights the importance of the office design industry despite the difficult economic climate," he added.

The keynote speakers at this year's event include the founding President of the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), Kenneth Laidler, Kate Stewart, a Director at Team a go-go, UK, and Udo Tünte, a senior designer for Parador flooring from Germany.

Mr. Laidler, Chairman of KLD, Dubai, said: "The UAE has become a global centre for trendsetting workplace design. The expansion of the country in the areas of business and trade has stimulated an exponential growth of office space, and as companies strive to make themselves stand out from the crowd, they have encouraged innovative, ground-breaking designs."

Mr. Laidler has more than 35 years experience in the design industry, and is a renowned authority in project management of new buildings, and refurbishment projects for commercial, hospitality and residential developments. He is an expert in architectural design conceptualization, space planning, graphics and illustration.

Kate Stewart is a prominent voice in the debate on transforming education and learner voice, speaking frequently at conferences around the world. She has played a key role in helping clients define creative educational spaces, including at Liverpool John Moores University, and City College Norwich in the UK.

"The UAE is the perfect location to bring together different designers from around the world. There is an eclectic mix of cultures and experiences here, and it is an ideal location to discuss the needs of the future, and offer solutions. The new OFIS store is a wonderful environment for designers, specifiers, and future customers to assess the opportunities in design."

said Stewart.

Another of the leading speakers will be leading design consultant, Udo Tünte from Parador flooring in Germany. Mr. Tünte from the Parador design studio has worked with some of the biggest names in the field of design such as Karim Rashid and Matteo Thun, to take fashionable wooden flooring to a new level. The company has recently released a series of laminated floors, taking inspiration from diverse sources, such as an Iranian carpet, and the Los Angeles map.

"The UAE sets the standard for innovation and development in so many areas, including modern design," said Mr. Tünte. "I am looking forward to talking with the designers and managers working here in Dubai on some of the most impressive offices in the world."

The keynote speakers will be addressing customers, architects, designers, design students and professors as well as purchase managers from throughout the industry.

The new OFIS showrooms stretch over more than 30,000 sq. ft, with practical office displays to highlight the products in a fully-working environment for office furniture, school furniture and flooring. The new area will offer a turn-key solution for companies looking for a total design package for their new office and classroom environment.

OFIS is the only UAE supplier of major international brands including Aresline, Ergo, INTERFACE, Benel, DVO, Samas, Parador, and Bosse.
OFIS supplies many major companies across the Middle East, including Norr Group, Burthill, KCA, WA International, Design Design, Broadway Interiors, Holford Asso, RMJM, BSBG, City Space, HSBC, Mashreq Bank, Citi Bank, Union National Bank, Shell, Unilever, DHL and Dubai Airport.