From immersive art installations to a sensorial exhibition dedicated to the work of emerging designers, to show-wide spotlights on impactful sustainable solutions, the 2024 lineup of experiences and activations engaged and inspired. See the full list of activations below.
For generations, the Armstrong Flooring™ brand has represented the highest quality, most durable foundation beneath the feet of America’s educators and students. At NeoCon 2024, they visited school memories in their classroom-inspired café·teria.
Launched during NeoCon, ART on THE MART presented a new immersive commission by the British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori, in partnership with Momentum Textiles + Wallcovering, exploring memories and mindfulness. Ilori also debuted a new line of textiles with Momentum as well as served as the Tuesday Keynote. The projection runs at 9pm and 9:30pm nightly.
The Climate Positive Solutions Gallery showcased low-carbon and carbon-negative materials and related technologies that meet the demands of commercial specification without sacrificing design, durability or budgets. Journalist and CEU content creator Kenn Busch invited leading suppliers to NeoCon to share their latest innovations and expertise with specifiers working to truly move the needle on climate change and sustainability. Curated by Material Intelligence and Climate Positive NOW. Learn more
interiors+sources and its partner media brands Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, American School & University and Architecture+DesignMaster.com presented the Climate Connect Corner at NeoCon 2024 to discover the trends, products and projects and continuing education solutions that are shaping commercial interiors and the built environment.
DesignScene by SANDOW returned for another NeoCon! Interior Design celebrated by bringing their favorite brands and emerging designers together to create immersive, educational, and meaningful experiences.
NeoCon, in partnership with Pratt Institute's Creative Xchange, presented a multi sensory installation featuring immersive spaces developed by Pratt students and faculty. The emerging design research was directed by Professor and Object Agency (O|A) founder Jon Otis. The exhibit showcased the collaboration of student designers from multiple disciplines ensuring that the future of design is both celebrated and nurtured.
Haworth sponsored the lobby at THE MART again this year, with more products on display than ever before. It was designed as a third place, complete with ancillary furnishings that demonstrate the broad range of their portfolio and brands. Inspiration came from the lobby of the new Six Senses hotel in Rome, designed by Patricia Urquiola. The inviting space was filled with plants for a biophilic effect that drew people in.
The INDEAL Connection Hub elevated the NeoCon experience! With a coffee bar to jump-start your mornings, ideation sessions to inform your mind and a gathering place to meet and relax, there was something for everyone in their new 10,000 SF showroom in THE MART!
The KFI Studios lounge offered a perfect place for conversations with colleagues or a quiet moment of downtime during the three day of NeoCon. Attendees experienced their new Dotti lounge and Conversa modular collections, along with the Juna outdoor collection.
By streamlining the materials sourcing process through data-driven design solutions and elevated efficiency, Material Bank empowers designers to reclaim their most precious resource – time. With less time spent searching for samples and more time dedicated to design, Material Bank members can focus on letting their creative energies flow freely.
METROPOLIS's Sustainability Lab during NeoCon was an immersive exhibit and hub dedicated to empowering attendees to make a positive impact on both people and the planet. This space featured the latest innovations, cutting-edge initiatives, and access to valuable resources to advance your work in sustainable design.
As a designer, you wield immense influence over environments, behaviors, and the world we inhabit. Every material you select has a ripple effect - ensure it’s positive. mindful MATERIALS’ activation, made possible by Material Bank, on THE MART’s first floor allowed attendees to discover sustainable products and a common framework to evaluate them.
From top-tier manufacturers fused with innovative designs, My Resource Library curated an inspiring space where attendees could take a break from the hustle and bustle, recharge your creativity and explore the latest MRL has to offer. From manufacturers to design students, MRL is the ultimate destination for fresh ideas and industry connections.
NeoCon once again hosted a live podcast studio, in partnership with SURROUND, a podcast network from SANDOW Design Group, featuring the best architecture and design-driven shows. A lineup of shows were recorded on the first floor of THE MART for all attendees to see and hear throughout the three days of NeoCon.
This Podcast Studio is sponsored by SnapCab.
SnapCab’s pod systems empower designers by giving them back control with unlocked designs. Every workspace is unique, and ensuring every inch is optimized is key to effective space use. Their made-to-order pod systems are a collaborative effort, ensuring seamless integration into a space and alignment with the designer’s vision and the needs of its users. Their unveiling of the winning design from their “Space To Be You” pod design contest took place on on the 1st floor. There, attendees also witnessed industry leaders discussing cutting-edge ideas in Sandow’s Surround Podcast network recording pod.
NeoCon attendees enjoyed the outdoors along the Chicago River and connected with colleagues over lunch or drinks from Marshall’s Landing at THE MART's River Park, presented by Haworth.
NeoCon attendees discovered something new in an imaginative showcase featuring a selection of textiles & wallcoverings from showrooms at THE MART. With hundreds of brands and thousands of styles throughout the building, this new space featured an exhibit of what’s new and vibrant together in one place.
The Turf Lounge was an open experience on the first floor of THE MART that invited NeoCon attendees to take a moment to relax from the hustle and bustle of the show. Two unique and immersive acoustic experiences – one that’s playful and energizing and another that’s elevated and calming. Fitted with comfortable seating and a view of Turf’s newest launches, including their Stone Textures collection, the space featured morning and afternoon DJs and music, providing an authentic, ambient lounge experience.
The dramatic 20’ Ocean Master MEGA MAX Voilare parasol featured an intricate design of strength and grace that is as majestic beneath the canopy as it is from afar.
