Ghent, the leader in visual communication products, launched Preserve, an outdoor collaboration tool, at NeoCon. The first product meant for creating meaningful meeting space outdoo rs, Preserve pushes the boundaries of what a meeting space should be, creating a “fourth space,” giving outdoor space a more purposeful use.

“Outdoor furniture expenditures are expected to increase by nearly 30% ove r the next three years, some of that a result of businesses investing in outdoor spaces for their employees’ health and wellbeing,” commented John D’Agostino, President of GMi Companies, Ghent’s parent company. “Creating an appealing workplace, culture, and environment is going to excite people to return to work and want to be there, while turning underutilized outdoor space into a destination for productive collaboration.”

According to a recent CBRE study, Wellness in the Workplace: Unlocking Future Performance, 80% of employees claim wellness programs are crucial in the workplace in both recruitment and retainment. Post-pandemic, employees are concerned about the health benefits of the environment they are in. Teams want experiential diversity in the workplace so they can seek out the environments they want to work in.

“We have been researching and paying attention to the trend of working outside the walls of an office,” added Vice President of Product Scott Bowers. “The science behind the connectedness to nature in the workplace as well as educational settings meets the mental and physical needs of employees and students. Being outside energizes the mind and body, creating a healthier and more engaged employee.”

Inspired by nature and wellness, Preserve will help free your mind to think outside the walls. Featuring weather-tested glass, steel, and fabric, Preserve is built to withstand the elements and create an outdoor space that is an extension of the indoors. Reinforced steel columns combined with a horizontally mounted /” thick laminated and tempered glassboard, and an awning defines an outdoor meeting space and ensures durability.

“This is an exciting addition to our line of visual communication products,” mentioned Susan Claus, Director of Marketing for GMi Companies. “With building owners beginning to include outdoor spaces in their leases, tenants are looking for ways to make those spaces more purposeful. Preserve allows employees to collaborate in a non-traditional meeting space, creating a meaningful destination to get work done.”

Listed as one of the top five products for office according to Mortarr, Preserve was previewed at NeoCon 2022, making a statement in Ghent’s expanded presence in theMart and released at ASLA in San Francisco in November 2022. Learn more at ghent.com/preserve.