Contract Furniture in America, The Circular Economy and an Elephant Session

Contract Furniture in America, The Circular Economy and an Elephant

1 LU | HSW

Date/Time: November 6, 2026 | 10:15 – 11:15 am

Room: TAHOMA 5

Abstract: This course provides a behind-the-scenes peek into the strategic mindset that forward-thinking, eco-conscious furniture manufacturers strive must cultivate to drive genuine progress toward a truly circular economy. Dive a little deeper into each step of the “Loop” that is the circular economy and confront an uncomfortable truth along the way.

Learning Objectives:

Understand key production variables and product attributes, along with their roles in enabling a truly circular economy.
Consider how product selection today might impact decisions decades in the future.
Explore the ways various stakeholders can educate their end-users on end-of-life, decommission options.
Strategize ways to push the US contract furniture industry in a direction to more often realize a truly circular economy.

Core Competency

Assessment of the School Facility
The ability to objectively evaluate a learning environment post occupancy and utilize that data to improve future projects.
Implements a plan for educational commissioning that provides guidance on how to use and maximize the learning
environment to meet the foundational vision established in the planning phase.

Brent Smith

Corporate Director-Strategic Development, Virco

Brent has over 15 years of experience with assisting in the creation of modern, flexible education spaces, both domestically and overseas. He works passionately with the sales team to ensure we are meeting the vision of the site leaders, while enhancing the student’s experience in the space. He is a passionate “Circularity” enthusiast and enjoys exploring material health impacts.

LearningSCAPES 2026 Conference in Seattle, Washington

Venue

Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Dates

November 4-7, 2026

Contact

Email: donna@a4le.org
+1 480.391.0840