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Experiences and Activations

Interactive installations and immersive experiences will come to life throughout both the interior and exterior of THE MART during NeoCon 2025, where attendees will have the chance to engage with cutting-edge designs, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and explore innovative technologies. Check back for more details to come.

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ART on THE MART Projection by Perkins&Will

description South Facade, THE MART

Runs nightly starting June 5, 9pm to 9:30pm

In alignment with NeoCon, ART on THE MART is thrilled to partner with Perkins&Will to present the firm’s projection titled Currents. This work explores 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.

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BIFMA Lounge

description Floor 7, 7-10030

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacture Association continues to be the industry source for standards and programs supporting Manufacturers, Suppliers, Specifiers and Buyers. Visit the BIFMA Lounge and meet the team to learn more:

  • LEVEL Certification and Product Registry
  • ANSI BIFMA Testing Standards- including newly revised and published standards
  • BIFMA Compliant Program and Product Registry
  • Source by BIFMA Material Database- new for suppliers
  • Design Firm Direct and Classroom Direct CEUs
  • Events and more….
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Calma – Acoustic Performance

description 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. Experience Calma at NeoCon, featuring special acoustic performances in the lobby and our "Space to Be" Calma showroom, 10-106.

Project Color Corps Kennedy School 1

Design Creates Joy

description Floor 1, Suite 101

Color and design can change communities; creating equity, joy and belonging. Experience Project Color Corps’ mission, history and vision at NeoCon 2025. Designed by Gensler, Project Color Corps will host a color pop up in Suite 101 on THE MART’s First Floor.

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DesignScene by SANDOW

description Floor 11, Suite 1120

DesignScene by SANDOW is back for another NeoCon! INTERIOR DESIGN will be celebrating by bringing their favorite brands and emerging designers together to create immersive, educational, and meaningful experiences. 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.

Take part in the best scene that is all about community and celebrating what we do best!

Education Pavilion by INDEAL

description Floor 11, Suite 1144

The Education Pavilion by INDEAL showcases innovative solutions from leading educational manufacturers, brought together in a dynamic, blended environment. Designed to inspire and inform, this new showroom highlights the evolving needs of education spaces and demonstrates how thoughtful design can support learning at every level.

Haworth South Lobby Display

Haworth

description Floor 1, South Lobby

Haworth is sponsoring 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 evokes a fashion runway atmosphere featuring industry iconic products from Haworth’s leading brands. The blue lighting and reflective pedestals create an ambience that piques your curiosity.

Haworth DesignLab

description 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.

Student Charrette

IIDA Student Design Charette

description Floor 11, Suite 1147

The annual IIDA Student Design Charette, hosted during NeoCon, brings together students from across the nation for a day of design, collaboration, networking, problem-solving, and fun. The day of the Charette – students are assigned random teams, presented with a design challenge, given collaborative time to create a design solution, and present it to a panel of esteemed jurors.

Image courtesy of IIDA

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INDEAL Connection Hub

description Floor 10, Suite 1086

A welcoming space to recharge and refocus during NeoCon, The INDEAL Connection Hub features complimentary coffee, a daily happy hour, massage chairs, and touchdown workspaces available to all visitors. INDEAL Members and Partners enjoy added benefits, including access to bag check, personal lockers, and private meeting areas—enhancing the experience with extra comfort and convenience.

KFI 1st Floor Display

KFI Studios

description Floor 1, East Pass-Through

Step into KFI Studios’ pop-up space to experience their new Canopy desk pod, designed in collaboration with Gensler. Each pod is showcased in a bold, color-blocked zone inspired by a unique creative type - Flowmaster, Catalyst, Visionary, and Botanist. Explore and find the pod that powers your creativity.

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Material Intelligence: Destination NeoCon

description 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 is curating an experiential, educational installation where you’ll be able to see and handle a wide range of materials, finishes, and components currently used in top commercial projects. You’ll also find answers to your challenges and inspiration for your projects from the materials experts staffing our space.

Metropolis Sustainability Lab

Metropolis Sustainability Lab

description 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 showcases the latest innovations, pioneering initiatives, and essential resources to support and elevate sustainable design practices.

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My Resource Library

description Floor 11, Suite 1191

Elevate your NeoCon experience and visit My Resource Library’s showroom. From top-tier manufacturers fused with innovative designs, we’ve curated an inspiring space just for you. 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.

02 Podcast Studio JH 9312

NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND

description Floor 3, Suite 397

The NeoCon Podcast Lounge will have a new location on the 3rd floor! A lineup of SURROUND Podcast Network shows will be recorded for a live audience throughout the three days of NeoCon. Meet the hosts, enjoy exciting giveaways, and take part in exclusive hospitality. 

Sponsored by: Material Bank

In partnership with: HAG, KI, Stylex, Turf

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Paved States at NeoCon

description Floor 1, Suite 121

Paved States, presented by Sixtysix Magazine, transforms a ground-floor showroom at THE MART into a dynamic gallery and retail space during NeoCon. This curated showcase unites 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 highlights 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.

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ReWritten

description Floor 11, Suite 1130

ReWritten is a space to celebrate all that has been saved, re-used, re-made, re-crafted, re-cycled, re-finished and re-furbished. We’ve curated a collection of repurposed furnishings and materials, and we are retelling their stories at NeoCon this year. ReWritten is a pop-up collection of furnishings we hope will inspire visitors to embrace storied product and our circular economy.

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River Park

description THE MART

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.

Shade in Bloom

description Floor 1, Kinzie/Wells Entrance

Step into a world of elevated enchantment with Tuuci’s 20' Ocean Master MEGA MAX Voilare Wonder and Ocean Master MAX Bolero in Ombre Blossom Signature. Whimsical detailing, vibrant contrasts, and sweeping shade converge in a breathtaking installation. Visit showroom #1419 to discover Tuuci’s latest in shade, furnishings, and immersive design.