NeoCon offers students the opportunity to gain real-world exposure to the professional business of design through activities that bring them up close and personal with the industry’s top manufacturers and designers.
Check back for updates on student programming for NeoCon 2026.
Programming registration is now open
Kassandra Avila
Student, Cégep de Trois-Rivières, Canada
Vania Lau
Student, Purdue University, Indiana
Émile Tessier
Student, Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Canada
Nicholas Luter
Student, Ringling College of Art & Design, Florida
Amy Gath
Vice President, Marketing & Strategy for Formica Group North America
What does the future of design look like through the eyes of emerging talent? This NeoCon 2026 main stage session brings that perspective into focus with a moderated panel featuring winners of the Formica Corporation FORM Student Innovation Competition.
Centered on the theme “Designing a Mood-Boosting Piece of Furniture,” the discussion invites attendees to hear directly from the students behind the winning concepts. Panelists will walk through their submissions, sharing the ideas, influences, and problem-solving approaches that shaped their work. From initial inspiration to final execution, each designer offers a candid look at how they translate emotion, functionality, and material into meaningful design.
Hear directly from these emerging designers as they bring their ideas to life and showcase the future of design thinking. See the fully fabricated grand prizewinning design on display at NeoCon 2026.
Ryan Chester
Senior Project Architect, JGMA
Lori Day
Design Principal, JGMA
No podiums, no slides, no lectures – just immersive encounters with practitioners and showrooms, plus a guided visual-making session where you create a personal “Future Me” portfolio map artwork. Spend the day connecting, experimenting, and turning surprise and delight at NeoCon into concrete next steps for your career. This includes a morning session, lunch, and an afternoon session.
Schedule
Sponsored by:
In collaboration with:
Margi Kaminski, ASID, RID, NCIDQ, EDAC, CLGB
Principal, Director Health Interiors, CannonDesign
Shundra Harris, FASID, RID, NCIDQ
CEO | Principal Designer, Shundra Harris Interiors (SHI)
Marianne Starke, RA, ASID, IIDA Associate
Design Director | Senior Associate, Gensler
Khoi Vo
CEO, ASID
Your portfolio tells your story as a designer. Join ASID to gain insight and receive one-on-one feedback from leading designers on portfolio development. Through conversation, designers will share what makes a portfolio stand out when seeking new talent and offer advice on how to tailor your presentation based on the position you are pursuing. Additionally, students will engage in one-on-one conversations with professionals, allowing you to receive personalized feedback on your resume and portfolio, get advice on your job or internship search, and guidance on career paths. This workshop is designed to equip you with the essential strategies and confidence needed to stand out as you launch your career.