NeoCon 2026 Opens Registration, Spotlighting the Ideas Shaping Purpose-Driven Commercial Design

Registration for NeoCon 2026 opens Tuesday, February 3, marking the return of the commercial design industry’s most influential gathering to The Mart in Chicago, June 8–10, with a Preview Day on June 7. Now in its 57th year, NeoCon continues to serve as a critical touchpoint for interior designers and architects navigating a rapidly evolving built environment.

Setting the Stage for NeoCon 2026

Guided by the theme “Where Design Connects,” NeoCon 2026 places emphasis on the intersections that increasingly define commercial interiors—between people and technology, creativity and responsibility, vision and execution. For interiors+sources readers, this year’s focus aligns closely with the realities of practice: designing spaces that are resilient, human-centered, and responsive to long-term social and environmental pressures.

Where Design Connects Across People, Technology, and Purpose

The keynote lineup reflects these priorities. Entrepreneur and inventor Jessica O. Matthews will open the program by exploring how purpose-driven innovation emerges when design is deeply personal—an idea that resonates as designers are asked to create more equitable, community-focused spaces.

“Innovation isn’t just a process—it’s a fight,” said Matthews. “Like in any fight, when the stakes are personal, the innovation is more powerful. At NeoCon, I’m excited to share how taking it personally turns pressure into purpose and challenges into breakthroughs.”

Nick Foster, futurist and former Head of Design at Google X, will challenge attendees to rethink how they approach the future—not as a distant abstraction, but as something shaped daily through design decisions made today.

“Our collective ability to conceptualize what’s next with depth and rigor remains underdeveloped,” shared Foster. “Rather than forecasting outcomes, I want to offer a moment of intentional pause to help the NeoCon community become better critics and creators, as we all tackle the overwhelming tide of uncertainty that lies ahead.”

Closing the series, cultural strategist David “Shingy” Shing will examine how accelerating technology and cultural change are redefining how people live, work, and connect, underscoring the importance of adaptability without losing sight of human experience.

“Every era normalizes what once felt impossible,” said Shingy. “This talk is about helping designers and leaders build the creative and cultural readiness to evolve with accelerating technology—without losing the human core that makes design meaningful.”

Illuminate at NeoCon Expands the Conversation on Lighting

Beyond the keynotes, NeoCon 2026 expands its relevance to practice with the introduction of Illuminate at NeoCon. This new show-within-a-show is dedicated to lighting’s critical role in performance, wellness, and sustainability. With all seven exhibition floors of The Mart—1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 14—open, the event offers designers direct access to products, materials, and systems that support informed specification across workplace, healthcare, education, hospitality, and public-sector projects.

For commercial interior designers and architects, NeoCon remains more than a trade show—it’s a place to connect big-picture thinking with real-world application. As expectations around sustainability, wellness, and flexibility continue to rise, NeoCon 2026 offers a timely opportunity to engage with the ideas, research, and solutions shaping the future of purposeful interior design.

Registration is free for all attendees and can be completed on the NeoCon webpage on February 3. Keynotes will be delivered live on-site and streamed via NeoCon.com, with additional programming registration opening April 1.