2025 Events
There was no shortage of celebratory events at NeoCon 2025. From networking happy hours to annual galas and award ceremonies, this year's schedule sparked collaboration and fostered meaningful connections.
INTERIOR DESIGN's HiP Awards + Party
INTERIOR DESIGN hosted an unforgettable evening at the 12th annual HiP Awards, where Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen recognized excellence and innovation in commercial design at NeoCon 2025. Kicking off the show on Sunday evening, winning designers and manufacturers received their awards at the exclusive ceremony.
Revel in Design, IIDA's Black-Tie Event
Revel in Design was hosted by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA and featured prominent international interior designers and global design manufacturers who gathered to celebrate the design industry. The evening of powerhouse networking, delectable dining, and revelry honored the winners of two of the most prestigious design competitions in the interior design profession—the 51st Annual Interior Design Competition and the 32nd Annual Will Ching Design Competition.
Best of NeoCon Awards Presentation
Held annually since 1990, Best of NeoCon is the official awards program for NeoCon, honoring outstanding new products from NeoCon exhibiting companies.
Best of NeoCon 2025 will featured entries in 43 product categories evaluated by a diverse jury of leading architects, designers, specifiers and facility managers with expertise spanning commercial, healthcare, institutional and hospitality sectors.
Click here to watch the 2025 awards ceremony.
ASID Illinois NeoCon Luncheon
SID Illinois hosted an exclusive lunch to launch three days of immersive experiences created exclusively for designers who demand more.
Paved States Cocktail Reception
Sixtysix Magazine hosted an exclusive cocktail reception celebrating the Paved States exhibition at NeoCon in THE MART.
This emerging designer gallery showcase paid homage to Chicago's brutalist architectural heritage while featuring remarkable works from rising talents including Ia Kutateladze, Hanneke Lorens, Noam Atelier, Anna Stechschulte, Ian Cochran, Cody Norman, Dolly Fox, Lourenz Krassai, and more.
Partygoers mingled with designers, explored a curated retail space featuring distinctive pieces—from body fragrances to custom merch and home objects—and experienced the intersection of brutalist inspiration and contemporary design, all while enjoying drinks and music in a vibrant celebration of emerging creativity.
MRL NeoCon AfterHours Party
The legendary MRL NeoCon AfterHours Party took place Monday night of NeoCon at Tree House. MRL partnered with various showrooms throughout THE MART for exclusive wristband drops to gain access to the party. Attendees tracked where the wristbands were being handed out by tuning into the MRL Media App. A great time was had by all!
AFTERNOON OASIS
The luxury showrooms on floors 6 & 14 hosted an afternoon oasis, providing attendees a chance to clear their mind and get refreshed for the night ahead. They enjoyed natural detox juices, sound bath meditation, and a spa vibe amidst endless custom options for high-end hospitality and office projects.
IIDA Student Design Charette Awards Ceremony
IIDA saluted the best in student design — created live at NeoCon! Hardworking teams of student designers from across the country closed out a day-long charette with a presentation to the winners, a design exhibit featuring all of the work created during the day, and a celebratory toast. NeoCon attendees were welcome to peek in to see design in progress during the day, and return to congratulate these talented next-gen designers at the reception.
Happy Together Hour
Attendees got together with NeoCon friends and colleagues on THE MART's River Park Tuesday after the show and enjoyed complimentary drinks and live music from multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Sam Thousand.
Sponsored by: INDEAL | Media Sponsor: officeinsight
Designing a Better Chicago, a NeoCon After Party
SECRIST | BEACH
The Design Museum of Chicago graciously hosted a NeoCon after party at the stunning new venue of Secrist Beach, celebrating another triumphant year of visionary international design. At the event, a warm welcome was extended to the recipients of the Designing a Better Chicago Award, an impactful program by NeoCon and the Driehaus Foundation.
BIFMA Breakfast
NeoCon was wrapped up with the BIFMA Breakfast —a cherished industry tradition where design leaders gather for networking, meaningful conversations, and forward-thinking presentations. This year’s breakfast was followed by NeoCon’s Wednesday keynote, Shazam Founder, Chris Barton, who presented “Bring Impossible Ideas to Life”—a celebration of bold perspectives and visionary thinking shaping the future of design. BIFMA Members and NeoCon attendees were welcome to purchase tickets.
