NeoCon 2026 presents experiences focused on the power of connection

NeoCon, the premier platform for commercial interiors innovation and connection, is taking place at The Mart in Chicago June 8-10, with a new Preview Day on Sunday, June 7.

Continuing its legacy of delivering world-class education, NeoCon 2026 spotlights key themes shaping the design landscape, including artificial intelligence (AI), multi-generational and adaptive design, and the evolving intersections of technology, wellness, and culture.

Notably, the 2026 show expands its reach and scope with Illuminate at NeoCon, a new show-within-a-show exhibition with special programming dedicated to architectural, technical, and decorative lighting. This exciting addition is poised to engage a wider community of attendees alongside NeoCon’s over 50,000 global design professionals.

“NeoCon is where ideas inspire impact,” says Nubia Henderson, Director of Programming for NeoCon. “Each year, we’re intentional about curating voices and topics that inspire curiosity, challenge assumptions, and expand how we think about design, its influence, and application across commercial interiors.”

The conference explores a wide range of educational categories, including workplace, healthcare, hospitality, public space, lighting, wellness, technology, sustainability, inclusion, and more.

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The Power of Connection

The premier event for commercial design unveils a dynamic schedule of events and experiences centered on the 2026 theme: “Where Design Connects.” 

Building on NeoCon’s legacy as a platform for discovery and dialogue, the 57th edition introduces an expansive lineup of engagement opportunities from immersive environments to new initiatives like the Preview Day and the debuts of Illuminate at NeoCon and NeoCon Collab: Half Light. Together with returning favorites, these activations create a layered program that unites the industry, engages the senses, and reflects the ever-evolving landscape of design. 

“NeoCon remains a place and point in time where ideas are tested, relationships are built, and the future of the built environment takes shape,” comments Lisa Simonian, Vice President of Marketing for NeoCon. “The 2026 program emphasizes our commitment to experiential design and the value of in-person connection.”

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New for 2026

Providing more opportunities for professional exchange and development, NeoCon is adding three major moments to the show. The schedule began on Sunday, June 7, with the introduction of the NeoCon Preview Day, offering attendees early access across the exhibition floors and creating additional time for engagement ahead of the show’s official opening. 

Highlighting the vital role of lighting in design, Illuminate at NeoCon (7th Floor Exhibit Hall) premieres as a show-within-a-show dedicated to lighting innovation. This new specialized segment will feature more than 50 global and emerging lighting brands, alongside experiential vignettes and 14 programming sessions on the “Spotlight” stage, spanning topics from circadian health and human performance to adaptive digital environments. 

Further reimagining the seventh floor experience is the addition of NeoCon Collab: Half Light, a 2,800-square-foot, hospitality-driven installation designed by Charlie Greene Studio. Inspired by ‘Chicagohenge’, the alignment of the setting sun with the city grid, the space brings together Allseating, Foamcore Architectural Elements, Focal Point, KI, Kriskadecor, Luxxbox, Mohawk Group, Paul Brayton Designs, ROOM (an OFS company), and Simii Design within a unified spatial concept. 

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Outdoor

Art on The Mart (The South Facade of The Mart) transforms the iconic building into a dynamic canvas of light and sound with LOVE LANGUAGE, a projection by HDR that explores art as a universal form of communication. Also outside, the River Park, presented by Haworth, offers an open-air setting for informal meetings, meals, and events throughout the show.

Floor 1

Paved States x DesignLab, presented by Sixtysix Magazine and Haworth, expands into a hybrid gallery and living environment. Jointly curated by Patricia Urquiola and Chris Force, the installation brings together emerging designers in a setting that blends retail, exhibition, and residential typologies. 

Nearby, designers are invited to Make the Bold Buildable with Armstrong World Industries, as the company unites its portfolio of design-forward brands in one showroom, including Turf®, 3form®, Zahner®, Arktura®, BŌK Modern®, Eventscape, Geometrik, Móz™, and Parallel Architectural Products. And THE SHOWHOUSE @ THE MART offers a peek into the residential luxury with a selection of world-class kitchen, bath, and fine furnishings, open through September.

The halls and spaces in-between will be infused with sound, technology, and wellness. BIOS Lighting’s Blue Sky technology, developed from NASA research and used on the International Space Station, brings circadian-effective lighting indoors to support alertness, productivity, and calm through biologically aligned illumination. Cisco: The Fourth Utility for Next-Generation Workplaces showcases an interactive demonstration and exploration of data-driven workplace solutions. The KFI Studios’ Pop-Up Lounge invites attendees to pause, reflect, and examine how furniture supports connection in a playful exploration of workplace design. 

Offering wellness-driven seating, Club Thinkspace provides a sensory experience for relaxing and recharging. Tuuci’s moody installation, A Study in Expression (Kinzie/Wells Entrance), blends multiple expressions, from structure and tactile contrast to layered relaxation and natural renewal. 

And the highly anticipated Turf® Elevator Experience returns for the second year, transforming The Mart’s freight elevators into different dynamic experiences, including a DJ-ed dance party. Material Bank introduces MTag, an NFC-enabled technology that transforms physical samples with a single tap, allowing attendees to explore product details and unlock exclusive content and prizes. 

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Floor 7

The seventh floor serves as a hub for material exploration, culture, and immersive environments. Material Intelligence: Destination NeoCon presents a hands-on exhibition of finishes and components shaping commercial projects today, while Neuroaesthetic Art: A Healing Journey to Self-Reflection, developed by ArtLifting and artist Eliza Reddman in collaboration with lighting designer Morlights and product provider Lighting Services Inc, combines art and lighting to explore perception and well-being. Curated by Associative Design, Design in Context: Portuguese Design Shaping Contemporary Spaces brings together Portuguese designers and brands, highlighting native materials, innovation, and craftsmanship.

Meeting spots and hospitality-focused spaces reinforce the show’s emphasis on interaction. The BIFMA Lounge offers insight into industry standards and certifications, and Astra Café creates an elevated cafe experience with Spoonflower wall coverings and Emeco furnishings. In the Center Pass Through, The Café Lounge by Armstrong Flooring® provides a retro-inspired diner setting for informal meetings and breaks.

Floors 10-14

Filled with spaces for discovery, the upper floors offer opportunities to engage and connect. Highlights include the interactive, Gensler-designed Sky Stories from Project Color Corps; the INDEAL Connection Hub, which provides hospitality, workspaces, and daily programming; and the Education Pavilion by INDEAL, focused on learning environments. 

DesignScene brings together multiple SANDOW DESIGN GROUP brands on the 11th floor with dynamic activations: INTERIOR DESIGN Playground, a vibrant hub for color, connection, and immersive installations created in partnership with leading brands; the METROPOLIS Sustainability Lab, where sustainable design meets bold creativity to bring this year’s theme, Good is Fun, to life; and The NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND, featuring live recordings with some of the industry’s most influential voices, plus a special interactive space with ThinkLab.

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Events

The energy of the show is bolstered by a series of networking events and industry traditions: 

Sunday, June 7 (Preview Day)

● Interior Design HiP Awards (Marshall’s Landing, 4:30-7:30 p.m.): An awards ceremony recognizing innovation across product and workplace design. 
● Revel in Design, IIDA's Premier Design Celebration (The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 7:00-11:00 p.m.): Where global design leaders gather to celebrate the winners of the Interior Design Competition and Will Ching Design Competition.

Monday, June 8

● Best of NeoCon Awards Ceremony (Livestreamed at the Grand Stair and on NeoCon.com, 7:30-8:30 a.m.): Now in its 36th year, the program honors design excellence, innovation, sustainability, and business impact across 46 categories, with expanded lighting classifications introduced alongside the debut of Illuminate. 
● Paved States x DesignLab Cocktail Reception (Suite 121 & South Lobby, 5:00-8:00 p.m.): An exclusive reception hosted by Sixtysix Magazine and Haworth celebrating the exhibition.
● MRL NeoCon AfterHours Party (Tree House - 149 W Kinzie, 8:00-11:00 p.m.): A high-energy night of networking and celebration in the heart of River North.

Tuesday, June 9

● Start Your Day on 1 (Floor 1, 8:30-10:00 a.m.): A guided tour of the first-floor showrooms carrying luxury contract-grade products.
● AFTERNOON OASIS (Floors 6 & 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.): A moment to recharge with sound bath meditations and rejuvenating refreshments. 
● Happy Together Hour (River Park, 5:00-6:30 p.m.): A festive celebration and opportunity to connect over complimentary drinks and live music along the Chicago River, sponsored by INDEAL with media partner officeinsight.
● Designing a Better Chicago’s NeoCon After Party (Secrist Beach, 6:00-9:00 p.m.): An unforgettable awards ceremony toasting visionary projects that support and strengthen local communities, hosted by the Design Museum of Chicago in partnership with NeoCon and the Driehaus Foundation.

Wednesday, June 10 

● BIFMA Breakfast (NeoCon Presentation Studio, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.): A lively discussion and networking event bringing together industry leaders. 
● Best of NeoCon People’s Choice Awards: Voted on by NeoCon attendees throughout the week, People’s Choice will be announced online, spotlighting the fan-favorite products that captured attention across the show.

In addition to the official schedule, exhibitors throughout The Mart will host a wide range of events, including product launches, panels, and private gatherings. 

The 2026 theme serves as the north star for the entire NeoCon program. It reflects NeoCon’s commitment to the power of in-person exchange and underscores the show’s role as the definitive platform where the global community gathers to share ideas, build relationships, and witness the future of the built environment taking shape in real time.

Source: NeoCon

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