Interactive installations and immersive experiences came to life throughout both the interior and exterior of THE MART during NeoCon 2025, where attendees had the chance to engage with cutting-edge designs, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and explore innovative technologies.
South Facade, THE MART
In alignment with NeoCon, ART on THE MART was thrilled to partner with Perkins&Will to present the firm’s projection titled Currents. This work explored movement and the dynamic and multifaceted flows within the urban context of Chicago, a city renowned for both its urban planning and architecture and access to natural resources like the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
Floor 7, 7-10030
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association continues to be the industry source for standards and programs supporting Manufacturers, Suppliers, Specifiers and Buyers. Attendees and manufacturers had a chance to visit the BIFMA Lounge, meet the team, and learn more about:
Floor 7, Aisle 10000
The Exhibit hall enjoyed a joy-inducing café experience inspired by daylight, bold color, playful pattern, and a surrealist twist. Sponsored by Spoonflower, this vibrant activation invited attendees to recharge, eat in a space where creativity came to life.
Floor 7, Center Pass-Through
The Café by Armstrong Flooring brought together a fusion of rustic charm and inspired innovation. While enjoying snacks and sips, attendees took a moment to experience the TimberTones® difference. An ultra-dense, 100% natural hardwood floor designed to handle the daily demands of hard-working, commercial spaces – perfect for restaurants, hotels and retail spaces.
Floor 1, North Central Corridor
Striking a new beat in acoustic excellence. Calma seamlessly blends advanced engineering with visual serenity. Our Class A Certified acoustic spaces deliver superior sound insulation for focused work. Attendees experienced Calma at NeoCon, featuring special acoustic performances in the lobby and their "Space to Be" Calma showroom, 10-106.
Floor 1, Suite 101
Color and design can change communities; creating equity, joy and belonging. Project Color Corps’ mission, history and vision was featured at NeoCon 2025. Designed by Gensler, Project Color Corps hosted a color pop up in Suite 101 on THE MART’s First Floor.
Floor 11, Suite 1120
DesignScene by SANDOW was back for another NeoCon! INTERIOR DESIGN celebrated by bringing their favorite brands and emerging designers together to create immersive, educational, and meaningful experiences. Attendees were able to pop into the space for a sneak peek of INTERIOR DESIGN's Show Daily being produced LIVE and get a glimpse of any number of industry roundtables with top industry leaders and specifying designers attending their first NeoCon discussing the future of design.
Floor 11, Suite 1144
The Education Pavilion by INDEAL showcased innovative solutions from leading educational manufacturers, brought together in a dynamic, blended environment. Designed to inspire and inform, this new showroom highlighted the evolving needs of education spaces and demonstrated how thoughtful design can support learning at every level.
Floor 1, South Lobby
Haworth sponsored the lobby at THE MART for the fourth year in a row. Haworth strives to inspire NeoCon attendees with design and innovation. The lobby installation evoked a fashion runway atmosphere featuring industry iconic products from Haworth’s leading brands. The blue lighting and reflective pedestals created an ambience that piqued your curiosity.
Floor 3, Suite 399
Haworth DesignLab is an annual initiative established to celebrate new perspectives in the world of design. Launched in 2023, DesignLab looks beyond our industry to create unexpected, emotive, and immersive experiences. The exhibit provides a platform to recognize and support designers whose work demonstrates exceptional experimentation in form and materials.
Floor 11, Suite 1147
The annual IIDA Student Design Charette, hosted during NeoCon, brought together students from across the nation for a day of design, collaboration, networking, problem-solving, and fun. The day of the Charette – students were assigned random teams, presented with a design challenge, given collaborative time to create a design solution, and presented it to a panel of esteemed jurors.
Image courtesy of IIDA
Floor 10, Suite 1086
A welcoming space to recharge and refocus during NeoCon, The INDEAL Connection Hub featured complimentary coffee, a daily happy hour, massage chairs, and touchdown workspaces available to all visitors. INDEAL Members and Partners enjoyed added benefits, including access to bag check, personal lockers, and private meeting areas—enhancing the experience with extra comfort and convenience.
Floor 1, East Pass-Through
KFI Studios’ pop-up space featured their new Canopy desk pod, designed in collaboration with Gensler. Each pod was showcased in a bold, color-blocked zone inspired by a unique creative type - Flowmaster, Catalyst, Visionary, and Botanist. Attendees could explore and find the pod that powered their creativity.
Floor 7, Booth 7-5067
Material choices matter. Every successful commercial project begins with selecting materials and components that meet your demands for performance, sustainability, and budget—without sacrificing your design goals. Material Intelligence curated an experiential, educational installation where attendees could see and handle a wide range of materials, finishes, and components currently used in top commercial projects. They also found answers to challenges and inspiration for projects from the materials experts staffing the space.
Floor 11, Suite 1120
The METROPOLIS Sustainability Lab at NeoCon is an immersive exhibit and dynamic hub designed to inspire and empower attendees to drive positive change for people and the planet. This vibrant space showcased the latest innovations, pioneering initiatives, and essential resources to support and elevate sustainable design practices.
Floor 11, Suite 1191
From top-tier manufacturers fused with innovative designs, My Resource Library curated an inspiring space during NeoCon 2025. From manufacturers to design students, MRL is the ultimate destination for fresh ideas and industry connections.
Floor 3, Suite 397
The NeoCon Podcast Lounge had a new location on the 3rd floor! A lineup of SURROUND Podcast Network shows were recorded for a live audience throughout the three days of NeoCon. Attendees got to meet the hosts, enjoy exciting giveaways, and take part in exclusive hospitality.
Sponsored by: Material Bank
In partnership with: HAG, KI, Stylex, Turf
Floor 1, Suite 121
Paved States, presented by Sixtysix Magazine, transformed a ground-floor showroom at THE MART into a dynamic gallery and retail space during NeoCon. This curated showcase united emerging artists, designers, and publishers, providing industry professionals and the design community with a platform for collaboration and discovery.
Drawing from Chicago’s Brutalist architecture and material innovations, Paved States highlighted makers who work with and reinterpret stone, brick, glass, and iron—creating a compelling dialogue between soft and hard, permanent and ephemeral, industrial and artisanal.
Floor 11, Suite 1130
ReWritten was a space to celebrate all that has been saved, re-used, re-made, re-crafted, re-cycled, re-finished and re-furbished. A curated collection of repurposed furnishings and materials, retold their stories at NeoCon this year. ReWritten is a pop-up collection of furnishings we hope will inspired visitors to embrace storied product and our circular economy.
THE MART
NeoCon attendees enjoyed the outdoors along the Chicago River and connect with colleagues over lunch or drinks from Marshall’s Landing at THE MART's River Park, presented by Haworth.
Floor 1, Kinzie/Wells Entrance
Tuuci’s 20' Ocean Master MEGA MAX Voilare Wonder and Ocean Master MAX Bolero in Ombre Blossom Signature brought a world of elevated enchantment to NeoCon 2025. Whimsical detailing, vibrant contrasts, and sweeping shade converged in a breathtaking installation.
Freight Elevators
Turf took over THE MART's freight elevators with a special musical activation in partnership with Elevator Music. The crowds loved it!
