Focus on the Future of Work at ORGATEC 2014

From 21 until 25 October 2014, ORGATEC, the world’s leading fair for modern working environments, takes place in Cologne once more. The global market of furnishing, lighting, flooring, acoustics and media technology for office and other commercial applications is almost completely represented but ORGATEC offers you much more than an industry overview. The exhibition’s event programme showcases the current trends and developments as well as best practice examples from all over the world. With the “ORGATEC Trend Forum”, “INSIGHT COLOGNE – ORGATEC Night of Office and Architecture”, the “ORGATEC Space” and “ORGATEC Mobile”, competence centres, the “Smart Office Materials” special exhibition, the “ORGATEC Boulevard” and a host of other events, there will be many different opportunities to discuss current trends, take a closer look at complex issues, exchange ideas on an international level as well as for networking with industry members.

 

 

The ORGATEC Trendforum in Hall 6 is a central stage for discussion on all current topics of the modern office environment. On all five days of the fair, top-level experts will be discussing current trends and presenting best practice scenarios, including topics like Demographic Change in the Office, Change Management or Gamification. Gamification will be dealt with for the first time at ORGATEC. On the Gamification Day (Thursday, 23 October 2014), companies such as SAP, Rabobank or Centigrade will demonstrate how employee commitment can be improved by implementing playful elements. The market research institute, Gallup, will provide an overview of the status quo regarding employee commitment. In addition, scientific lectures as well as a panel discussion will identify reasons for the effectiveness and the prospects of a successful implementation of Gamification in the corporate sector.

 

“Smart Office Materials”

New at ORGATEC: “Innovation of Interior” in Hall 8. Under the banner “IOI – Smart Office Materials”, the event is an attraction for architects, planners, equippers and fitters who are looking for something special. The special exhibition puts the spotlight on materials for the working worlds of tomorrow.
The focus on the sustainability of products. “Smart office materials are made out of biological resources, are conducive to health and are produced out of other waste materials,” explains Dr. Sascha Peters, organiser of the exhibition and owner of Haute Innovation – a Berlin-based materials and technology agency. Lightweight construction solutions are becoming more important for mobile working, as are multi-functional and smart materials, with hidden extra functionality or benefits.

 

Competence Centres for space concepts and mobile working

In Hall 11.2, the “ORGATEC Space” and the “ORGATEC Mobile” competence centres will offer comprehensive solutions for both sectors.
Under the banner “Spaces 2014 – Connecting People”, “ORGATEC Space” combines lighting, flooring and acoustics for a wide-ranging exhibition on spatial concepts. “ORGATEC Space” is a joint project between the interior designer Sylvia Leydecker and the acoustician Dr. Christian Nocke.

“Mobile”, the second competence centre, is all about “Mobility and technology in the modern working environment”. In this context, Materna, a company that provides IT services throughout Europe, will present solutions that enable mobile working. The term “mobility” refers here not just to working outside the concept of the traditional office, but also flexibility regarding the actual place of work. “ORGATEC Mobile” provides new, future-focussed ideas and answers to the growing demand for flexible working methods. The focus here lies on the fitting products and concepts, from software modules to portable terminals, through to traditional solutions for working on the go.

 

 

New at ORGATEC: Speakers’ Corner

For the first time, exhibitors at ORGATEC will be able to use the “Speaker’s Corner” format. The new platform in Hall 11.2 offers companies the opportunity to present themselves as well as new products and services to a broad trade audience and answer questions directly on site. In half-hour presentations, speakers will introduce trends, innovations and methods from their particular field of expertise (daily between 11.00 a.m. and 03.00 p.m).

 

 

“ORGATEC Boulevard” – bringing work, communication and relaxation together

Under the banner “Out of Office”, the “ORGATEC Boulevard” offers industry visitors creative suggestions. This emotional presentation is intended to create a counterpole to the dynamic working world in the form of areas of inspiration and tranquility. This year, the Boulevard is divided up into four different communication zones and lounge areas. The Boulevard presentation is intended to convey the concepts of “The Home Office”, “the driverless mobile office”, “Socialising” and “Movement” with a focus on relaxation. In addition, the ORGATEC Boulevard’s lounge area offers visitors room for communication and exchange with industry colleagues.

 

“INSIGHT COLOGNE – the ORGATEC Night of Office and Architecture”

On Friday, 24 October 2014, ORGATEC doesn’t end when the fair gates close, as “INSIGHT COLOGNE” continues the event outside the fairgrounds. Under the banner “Smart Working in Smart Buildings”, , a total of 20 offices and facilities throughout the city of Cologne will open their doors from 6.00 p.m. onwards and provide exclusive insights into the world of work of the future, unveiling surprising design ideas and innovative solutions. The various companies and their buildings are organised into three categories: “New Office Concepts & Trends in Architecture”, “Mobile Working” and “Revitalisation and Refurbishment of Existing Buildings”. The event addresses both trade visitors of the ORGATEC as well as the interested general public. Participants can visit the selected buildings in German or English-language tour-guided groups. Several locations offer an open, non-stop programme on-site.

 

The German Office Network’s “Working on the Future” Theme Day

The DNB (Deutsche Netzwerk Büro e.V./German Office Network) are involved in the conception and implementation of a new event format at ORGATEC 2014: “Working on the Future”. The first themed day for works councils, staff councils and representatives of the severely disabled will take place on Tuesday, 21 October 2014 (09.00 a.m. – 03.30 p.m. at the Congress Centre North, Rheinsaal). “We are facilitating a wide-ranging discussion on our work,” says Dr Manfred Fischer, president of the DNB. “Competitive companies and stable social relationships – together, these two elements protect Germany’s position in the global market.” “Good work in the Office” will become an ever more important topic because the majority of Germans work in offices or in office-like environments. “If the world’s leading fair for Office and Facility is the perfect platform, then North Rhine-Westphalia is the perfect testing ground,” says Fischer. “This state is the economic power house of Germany. The gross domestic product of over 580 billion Euro and the presence of 752,000 small and medium-sized businesses in North Rhine-Westphalia are a reflection of the whole of Germany.” Register for the event by mailing Katharina Rischke: krischke@dgb-bildungswerk-nrw.de. The registration fee includes admission to the fair.

 

 

Experts’ panel discussion: PERFECT DAY LIGHT

An experts’ panel discussion entitled “Perfect Day Light” will take place at the German Sport & Olympic Museum in Cologne on 22 October at 06.30 p.m., as part of ORGATEC 2014. As the name suggests, the discussion revolves around the topic of light. After some refreshments, associate professor Dr Dieter Kunz will give a lecture on the “Biological Effects of Light”, followed by a general discussion. The event is free and you can register your participation at www.durable.de by clicking the relevant link.

 

Sustainability Day – Prize Ceremony for the “Büro & Umwelt” (“Office & Environment”) competition, awarded by B.A.U.M e.V. (the German Association for Environmental Management)

Therefore, the aligning of sustainability and everyday office behaviour is the theme of Sustainability Day on 23 October 2014 at ORGATEC. The event is organised by B.A.U.M e.V. (the German Association for Environmental Management) together with Koelnmesse. Expert presentations and examples of best practice will demonstrate what sustainability in the workplace means and how companies can adjust and equip their offices in a more sustainable manner. On Sustainability Day, the prize for the “Büro & Umwelt” (“Office & Environment”) competition will be presented. This prize has been awarded by B.A.U.M. e.V. since 2008 and honours the most environmentally friendly offices in Germany every year. (Wednesday, 23 October 2014, 10.00 a.m. – 05.00 p.m., Congress Center North). You can register to attend Sustainability Day by mailing info@buero-und-umwelt.de. Participation is free but the participant must be in possession of an entrance card for ORGATEC 2014. Further information on Sustainability Day and the “Office & Environment” competition can be found on the following websites: www.buero-und-umwelt.de and www.orgatec.com.