BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY 2011: March 30-31 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Ctr.

Green technology, industry social networking and new and innovative building products were hot topics at last year's BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Welcoming nearly 5,300 architects, engineers, contractors, developers, buildings owners and property managers, the event continued to deliver the largest annual gathering for the metro-NY regional building community. BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY 2010 also grew its conference program participation by over 50%, now providing a variety of industry accreditations including AIA Learning Units, USGBC GBCI continuing education credits, NYS professional development hours for engineers and RAM recertification credits. Rounding out the show floor buzz, BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY 2011 has announced a new date pattern and co-location with INTERPHEX, a pharmaceutical trade event, being held March 30-31. BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY 2010 began with a keynote address given by New York's Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch who spoke about New York State's economy and where focus should be in order to move the state towards more efficient and sustainable ways. With that, he stressed the importance of events like BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY where innovation in the buildings industry continues to improve the resources of New York and its neighboring states. Social networking continued to grow across industries and the buildings community in particular. This year, BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY made its entry into the online networking world with its partnership with UPworld.com. UPworld is an exclusive social networking platform designed specifically for buildings professionals in the real estate, construction and design sectors. UPworld helps to further pre-show, onsite and post-show communication between buyers and sellers and offers industry professionals opportunities to build project teams and showcase their services. During the show, UPworld's "upsters" encouraged attendees and exhibitors to stop by the networking lounge for "MeetUPs." Here, industry professionals were able to network with targeted professionals to form new mutually beneficial relationships. Schein Media presented their Innovative Green Design Awards. Winners were announced during an awards and networking reception during the show. The awards were presented to products that represent the greenest materials, most sustainable methods of manufacturing, highest energy efficiency, greatest innovation, minimal carbon footprint, and best-looking design in each category, from soft goods to lighting, appliances, and building materials. Categories ranged from appliances and flooring to resource efficiency and environmental/social responsibility. The show continued to highlight VIP buyers at the event with over 200 industry professionals attending as VIP buyers this year. VIP attendees were invited to complete an exclusive project survey where they identified their active projects as well as specific products and services they were looking for at the event. Survey results show a trend for sourcing renovation and new construction projects with 78% and 51% response rates respectively. Results also showed over 68% of VIP attendees seeking exhibitors in the green products and buildings materials product categories. The announcement of the co-location with INTERPHEX, a pharmaceutical manufacturing event organized by Reed Exhibitions, was well received. By having these two events take place at the same time at the Javits Center, facility managers and other interested buyers from national pharmaceutical plants in the N.J., Penn., N.Y. region will have the opportunity to visit the BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY event at no additional cost. This co-location will bring increased attendance, and additional networking opportunities to the BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY event. This co-location also brings BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY earlier in the year - March 30-31, to accommodate the challenges that many buildings professionals have in the June timeframe. The move was as a result of input and feedback provided by buildings professionals and current exhibiting companies. The event continues to grow based on attendee and exhibitor needs. In addition to the co-location BuildingsNY/GreenBuildingsNY will unveil a new Architecture Design & Technology Pavilion. Here attendees will have the opportunity to source architectural software solutions, view innovative materials in a unique showroom environment and forge new unique relationships for current and future projects.