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From Home Furnishing Business
NeoCon Opens With Experiences & Activations Next Month
May 14,
2024 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
NeoCon 2024 opens next month (June 10-12 at THE MART in Chicago) and there is no shortage of stimulating activations and events in store for its expected 50,000+ attendees and participants.
Current registration numbers have already surpassed pre-pandemic figures, as the buzz continues to build ahead of this year's edition. From the highly anticipated ART on THE MART, to a sensorial exhibition dedicated to the work of emerging designers, to show-wide spotlights on impactful sustainable solutions, the 2024 lineup of events and activations promises to engage and inform.
Timely panel discussions, immersive art installations, networking happy hours and awards ceremonies curated by the show and its partners will further add to the NeoCon experience.
“At NeoCon, we are not just celebrating the latest innovations in commercial design, we're also fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the industry through our programming, activations, and networking events during the show,” comments Lisa Simonian, vice president of marketing of NeoCon.
“NeoCon is about engaging, sharing ideas, and collectively shaping the future through meaningful connections and impactful discussions. As we come together once again this June, we look forward to welcoming attendees to an unforgettable three days of inspiration and innovation.”
Experiences & Activations
ART on THE MART will present a new immersive piece commissioned by British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist, Yinka Ilori, in partnership with Momentum Textiles + Wallcovering (323). Starting June 6 and running nightly from 9-9:30PM, the public art display will transform the south facade of THE MART.
Several installations will provoke meaningful discourse around the importance of environmental stewardship, while showcasing ethical and sustainable sourcing and production. Industry leader Mindful MATERIALS’ Impact Area, an immersive space on the first floor in the West Pass Through, will demonstrate how each material used in a project has a ripple effect in our environments.
The crowd-favorite River Park, presented by Haworth (312) and located outside on the South Drive of THE MART, will be one of many places attendees can take meetings, gather together, and relax.
Events
The pre-show events will kick off on Saturday, June 8th with “DIFFA Chicago Gala: DIFFA Through the Decades” at THE MART’s River Park. The festive affair will highlight the organization’s progress spanning the past four decades, from the 1980s to today, in commemoration of DIFFA’s historic journey and efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. On the eve of the show, Interior Design's HiP Awards will honor the leaders and products that drive innovation forward in the commercial design industry. After the HIP Awards, guests of IIDA will gather at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for Revel in Design, an elegant gala celebrating 30 years of design excellence.
The much-anticipated announcement of the winners of the Best of NeoCon competition, now in its 34th year, will once again take place on day one (June 10) of the show with an awards breakfast recognizing outstanding new products from exhibiting brands across a wide range of categories.
A full schedule of events is available here and a complete list of activations can be viewed here. Show registration is complimentary for all attendees. Register here. For showroom, exhibitor, and general NeoCon news, images, and real-time information, follow NeoCon on: Instagram (@NeoCon_Shows), LinkedIn (@NeoCon-Shows), and Facebook (@NeoConShows.)