From June 11th-13th, The Mart in Chicago transforms into the design industry’s Mecca. NeoCon is the commercial design industry’s conference dedicated to innovation, evolution, and connection. Design firms, manufacturers, and speakers gather to share ideas, network, offer services, and more. This year marks the event’s 50th anniversary, and weare helping it celebrate in style. Here is everything you need to know about this year’s conference.
Attending the conference
An influx of 50,000 design professionals from wide-ranging markets descend on The Mart for this three day event. Online registration is free for attendees before June 8th, and there is on-site registration beginning the Saturday before. NeoCon also reserves blocks of rooms at various hotels and even provides alternative housing through Oasis. Book through their service and receive exclusive amenities for NeoCon attendees.
Exhibitors & Marquee Presentations
There are over 500 exhibitors from across the world featuring a wide breadth of products. Whatever your business needs, you’ll find a variety of creative options and styles perfect for your aesthetic and budget.
The Marquee Presentations feature panels, talks, and keynote addresses from the industry’s most talented and creative individuals. The Keynotes this year include a conversation between Art Gensler and Cheryl Durst on unanticipated opportunities; a panel discussing extraordinary women in design moderated by the Editor-in-Chief of Interior Design, Cindy Allen; Nick Thomson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired on technology and design in the future; and Founder and Design Principal of Ross Barney Architects, Carol Ross Barney, on building sustainable cities.
Industry Seminars
There are a plethora of seminars available to attendees for a fee paid during registration, and each offers the opportunity to receive continuing education credit. All seminars are sixty minutes in length and fall into three categories: beginner, intermediate, and expert. Be sure to check out the catalog and register in advance!
Tours and Workshops
NeoCon also offers one workshop and four design tours of the Chicago area. Attend the workshop to learn about the WELL Building Standard, or attend a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s house and the historic neighborhood of Oak Park, 200 years of design at Driehaus, or Hyatt’s world headquarters. The workshop runs for three hours, the Frank Lloyd Wright tour runs all day, and the other tours are 1.5-3 hours long, so plan accordingly.
NeoCon 2018 is the biggest celebration of the commercial design industry and the perfect place to see how manufacturers, designers, and architects are innovating for the future. Attending the conference is a great way to see what direction the industry is heading in. Environments is an active participant at NeoCon and brings years of expertise to each project. If you’re looking to modernize your office space, we can help. Contact us now to get started on creating the ideal workspace environment.
