Forum Report

Education Facilities Forum, November 5th-6th 2007

Atlanta, Georgia-The first Education Facilities Forum saw opening presenter Roy Sprague former president of CEFPI discussing the "Top 10 Trends in Shaping the Design of Learning Environments". His checklist included: Smaller School Environments, Personalized Learning Spaces, Safe Schools and Healthy Schools.

The audience of senior facilities executives from Schools and Colleges across the South East heard Sprague urge school builders and designers to "provide learning environments that maximize the likelihood that each student will learn and perform at the highest level". (A copy of Roy's presentation is available for download on www.forumnetworkingevents.com)

Other workshops covered Building the Case for High Performance, Green Schools presented by Jacob Halcomb of SSRCx that discussed equipping  participants with "facts, resources and other information necessary for convincing school districts to design and construct high performance, green schools".

Dr Ken Tanner from the University of Georgia covered Planning and Designing a School that Improves Student Achievement. His 21 point checklist included: telling designers to allow more natural light, plan designated teacher planning areas and "create an atmosphere of excitement" within the school's design.

In between the workshops delegates had a series of pre-arranged one to one meetings with some of the 28 service providers at the Forum. Prior to the Forum all participants had the opportunity to decide who they wished to meet. On arrival each had their own personalized itinerary of 30 minutes meetings. 

This new format of doing business proved a hit with both buyers and suppliers. Gary Bailk of Fixtures Furniture said the Forum had "exceeded my expectations, it is much more than a meeting when you can socialize with customers for three days", whilst Brent Mague of Rubbermaid added, "the Education Facilities Forum connected me with more quality leads and customer appointments than any other industry event I have attended". 

Meanwhile Samantha Olander of the American Intercontinental University commented "this was an excellent event. Informative, enlightening and a joy to attend". While Bill Prigge of Georgia State University College of Law, said, "This model is fantastic. It really maximizes efficiency and allows you to spend quality time with the people you want to meet".

The next Education Facilities Forum is on June 16/17th 2008 in Philadelphia and returns to Atlanta on November 3rd/4th 2008. For more details call Forum Networking Events at 941 925 7585 or click here.

Client Testimonials:

"This was an excellent event for us - Informative, enlightening and a joy to attend!"
American Intercontinental University - Buckhead

"This was a nice treat to have vendors visit with us one on one. It's a great way to communicate each other's needs. Great Forum!"
Pensacola Junior College

"The one- one interaction with vendors was a great advantage for the school. It allowed time to really get to know the vendor and their products versus attending an expo."
Ogeechee Technical College

"It was a unique experience. Well thought & planned out. Friendly professional staff in all areas. The set up was excellent. Great Job!"
Talladega College

"This format of meeting potential vendors was a very effective use of my time. I particularly enjoyed being away from distractions."
Kenyon College

"This model is fantastic! It really maximizes efficiency and allows you to spend quality time with the people you want to meet. The social networking activities are also beneficial. The Forum Networking Staff went out of their way to make this a first class event!"
Georgia State University College of Law

"Very informative. Able to network with other institutions. I discovered various innovations in problem solutions for my facility."
Bethune - Cookman University

"The one on one appointments were great! I enjoyed the time networking - Great Food; Warm friendly staff - Great!"
Rust College

"The best forum I have ever attended. Very professionally organized, great staff and super vendors!"
Central Florida Community College

"Excellent opportunity and format to meet suppliers that you wouldn't even consider to meet otherwise."
Furman University

"The concept is innovative and works very well. The organization and venue were both excellent. Also the organizers staff was very friendly & helpful."
Alamo Community College District

"The Forum was very well organized and effective."
Denmark Technical College

"This was a great opportunity to meet vendors whom I ordinarily would not come in contact with. Keep up the good work! Great Concept!"
Concordia College Selma

"I learned a lot at this forum about how to manage our facilities and utilities. Thanks for the learning opportunity & the chance to meet so many great suppliers and other higher Ed administrators."
Carver Bible College

Supplier Testimonials:

"I was very hesitant, and came away very pleased, and excited for the next Forum."
Triatomic Environmental, Inc.

"Very well organized. Everyone involved was attentive and eager to serve. The Buyers were interested in learning and finding a fit for our systems."
Facilities Management Engineering

"Having someone qualify prospective clients, and then arrange one on one meetings with them is a luxury that is difficult to pass up!"
GCA Services Group

"I was skeptical of my investment of time and money - now I believe in the value of exhibiting in this forum."
Select Products

"Very good venue. I think we will succeed with the clients we met!"
The Garland Company

"The Education facilities Forum exceeded my expectations for the number of appointments. It is much more than a meeting when you have the ability to socialize with customers for 3 days!"
Fixtures Furniture

"The Education Forum connected me with more quality leads and customer appointments than any other industry event I have ever attended."
Rubbermaid Commercial Products

"A great way to meet with potential customers in a relaxed setting with quality interaction."
Total Polish Solutions

"The Forum was a good experience, professionally done and the one on one concept was great!"
TRACO

"This was much better than a trade show for actually contacting facility decision makers."
Detex Corp.

"Excellent Event! We met qualified customers with immediate needs and opportunities that we can assist them with."
Trend Controls Systems