I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember a quieter summer in the industry. I don’t mean that in a negative sense since sales and profits are stable among the publicly traded majors and from anecdotal evidence from just about everyone else. It was just quiet. All that’s about to change.

You can feel the ramp up, can’t you? Important shows and events are starting to kick off and the industry seems to be fully reengaged following the languid summer. This coming week, there are two important events that should be on your radar.

First, the Healthcare Design Conference kicked off yesterday in Indianapolis with most of the main activities beginning today. Healthcare Design has become one of the largest events of the year with an (obvious) focus on the healthcare market. Most of the exhibitors at the event are furniture makers or somehow involved in the commercial interiors industry. There are also CEUs, facility tours and social events as part of this important event.

Also, the CET Experience started in Grand Rapids today. It is designed to bring together users and brands on the powerful space planning software from Configura. Configura does a fantastic job connecting users and manufacturers so that both can help each other.

officeinsight magazine will be covering both, splitting time between Healthcare Design and CET Experience and we will have coverage for you in next week’s issue.

And on the horizon is one of the most important events of the year. Orgatec, the biennial commercial interiors fair in Cologne, Germany, begins in few short weeks. It is the first “full” Orgatec since the beginning of the pandemic, so it will be interesting to see if the fair has recovered. Orgatec is one of the largest trade fairs for equipment and furnishings for workplace and office planning as well as institutional and commercial buildings. Decision-makers and purchasing managers, from personnel to interior architecture, fit-out, furnishings, facility management and operating companies attend the event. Orgatec has traditionally been the show that informs North American office furniture design. It is a fantastic show for learning what’s coming next in the office.

Fall also brings the EDspaces show in Houston and WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica, Calif. in November. EDspaces is held annually to showcase new products and new thinking in K-12 and higher education spaces. WestEdge is more of a regional show, with a focus on residential and commercial furnishings.

In short, it’s time to end your summer hibernation, if you already haven’t. If you can’t make it, that’s OK. We will be there to bring you all the news and trends from these important shows. The industry is going to have a very busy end to its year.