NeoCon yet again proved that it is a premier platform for commercial design as it took over The Mart in Chicago from June 12-14. Registered attendance increased 7 percent over the 2016 edition as the show continues to hit record highs every year. The Mart’s ongoing investments into the building contributed to NeoCon’s success as new amenities and modernizations helped complement visitors’ overall experience. Upgrades were apparent throughout as show attendees enjoyed The Mart’s brand-new 2nd Floor lounge, Marshall’s Landing, designed by A+I Architects and operated by DMK Restaurant Group; and a new venue for keynotes and seminars on the 19th Floor.
NeoCon 2017 welcomed six new permanent showrooms to the building, as well as 75 innovative new companies to the exhibitor roster. Expansive programming and a wealth of special events, parties, award ceremonies, and inspiring exhibits made for both a productive and enjoyable show.
According to Byron Morton, VP of leasing for NeoCon Shows, “We went into this year strong—showrooms were at capacity and there [was 28 percent] ‘new to NeoCon’ brands in our sold-out 7th Floor Exhibit Hall. The buzz continued to build with three full days of sold-out keynotes, at-capacity CEU sessions, innovative product launches, and dynamic networking events. We look forward to leveraging this momentum as we get ready for NeoCon's 50th anniversary in 2018.”
Sit/stand solutions, privacy pods, ergonomic seating, integrated technologies, and high-performance textiles were among five of the top trends seen throughout the show. Yet, there was a rich diversity to the offerings, offering designers and product specifiers a plethora of options for their projects. The talks and topics headlined by keynotes Arianna Huffington, Jessica Green, and John Ronan, and the debut of “Icons @ NeoCon,” gave further insight into the future of commercial interiors.
NeoCon 2018, the 50th anniversary event, will be held June 11-13 at the Mart. NeoCon East returns to Philadelphia for the 15th annual edition, November 15-16, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. More details are available at neoconeast.com.
