Showcases are, no doubt, a very important part of museums' exhibition furniture. Its design, manufacture and location aim not only to protect and preserve collections, but also to enhance their value, providing their adequate access and interpretation to visitors.

Museums always want to present their collections elegantly and attractively while still ensuring them the best possible protection. Nevertheless, it's sometimes difficult to harmoniously integrate the aesthetic and functional requirements inherent to the museums communication and preservation policies and strategies, especially when budgets are not proportional. A risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, sustained in scientific research results allied to best practices experiences, guidelines and standards, is not easy but essential in order to prevent the lost, the damage and the lost of value to collections and discomfort or disappointment to visitors.

The main objectives of this meeting are to present and discuss showcases real and potential efficiency and effectiveness while presenting, discussing and disseminating results of research related with the topic and new technologies and resources to support policy making and implementation of sustainable strategies. This will be done through specialists' presentations, round table discussion and a Show Room, with showcases manufactures and environmental management tools and devices suppliers.

The workshop will address the following questions and dimensions of the main topic:

1. Showcases, aesthetics and ambience of architecture and materials: the accessibility, communication and interpretative programme
2. Design, construction and location of showcases: risks and the integrated preservation programme
   1. Maintenance
   2. Safety, security and emergency response
   3. Environment
      1. Interaction mechanisms with the materials and synergistic effects
      2. Monitoring, damage prediction and control methodologies
      3. Case studies
         • Air quality
         • RH/T
         • Lighting
         • Ventilation
3. Standardization

The participation of researchers, end-users, students, enterprises - showcases manufacturers and suppliers of environmental management equipment and services, public and private organisations responsible for the management of museums, archives or other organisms with similar mission and of all generally interested in the topic is, therefore, most welcomed.

On behalf of the SHOWCASES INSIDE OUT Committees we are looking forward to welcome you in Porto, Portugal.