Here at officeinsight, we’re amazed at the innovations the NeoCon show organizers continue to achieve each year. We’re happy to report that this year is no different! Headed by Byron Morton, VP of Leasing at Merchandise Mart Properties, the NeoCon team has put together a superb ensemble of large-scale show improvements, special exhibits and features, program changes focusing on inclusivity, inspiring keynotes, and tech updates.
By far, the most palpable change to this year’s show is the removal of the 8th floor altogether. The announcement was made months ago, but for those still wondering about the specifics behind this development, we’ve got you covered.
Mr. Morton cited a back-to-basics attitude behind this decision, noting that NeoCon boils down to true excellence in design for the workplace, and that the 8th floor wasn’t supporting that anchor. Officially named the “Exhibit Hall,” the new 7th floor will feature a more curated collection of relevant companies and products.
“We’re paying a lot more attention to the kinds of exhibitors,” said Mr. Morton. “”A single floor Exhibit Hall helps us to invest in the space that exhibitors are showing in.”
And from what we can tell, the 7th floor will indeed feel brand new. A $2 million revamp to the space includes new carpeting, lighting, paint, wall systems, wayfinding and other updates. Organizers relocated the Press Room to the first floor, freeing up additional space for exhibitors.
And perhaps the most welcome change will come in the form of a new, simpler layout, which will feature four basic exhibitor groupings:
>Furniture + Fabrics
>Flooring
>Tech Hub
>Finishes, Materials + Interior Building Products
In this new layout, attendees will hopefully feel less lost in a sea of randomly grouped exhibitors and be able to easily navigate through the 300+ brands faster. And what’s to come of the 8th floor? While no concrete plans for its future currently exist, Mr. Morton said it will be redeveloped by the Mart over time; we’ll stay tuned.
The thing we’re most excited about is the revival of the Guerrilla Truck Show, an emerging design event that had been held for 10 years in Chicago’s Fulton Market district. Curated by Morlen Sinoway, the event features a selection of 10 up-and-coming designers and artists showcasing prototype work and objects of design in the back of box trucks. This year, the event will be featured on the South Drive of The Mart all day on Tuesday, June 14.
Attendees will see work from University of Illinois at Chicago; The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Illinois Institute of Technology; Columbia College; AKMD; Tanner Bowman, Katie Chung, and Jennifer Kaplan; Goodland Studio; Parsons & Charlesworth; Steven Haulenbeek; Stephen Gulau; and American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Chicago.
After a break from the event last year, we’re excited to see it’s found a new home!
Also on tap is the “New Talent Spotlight: Five Designers to Watch,” a special feature NeoCon is presenting in partnership with Metropolis magazine. The installation with debut five new talents who will show three to five objects of design. The work will be displayed on The Mart’s first floor, as well as in Metropolis’ June issue.
The NeoCon team has made excellent improvements to the NeoCon app and also developed a spiffy tool called My Planner, integrated into both the website and the app. Together, the My Planner tool and the NeoCon app enables attendees to build a personalized guide to NeoCon. You’ll be able to schedule appointments and keep track of your seminars, private message exhibitors, save favorite exhibitors and products, create a walking list for the show, and more.
Not to be overlooked are this year’s keynotes, all held on the 14th floor of the Holiday Inn connected to The Mart:
>Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos, and founder of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)(Monday, June 13). Discussion topics will include: an introduction to the WELL Building Standard, costs and benefits, early examples of WELL buildings, and performance-based metrics for health and wellness in the built environment.
>David Rockwell, founder and president of architecture and design firm Rockwell Group (Tuesday, June 14). Notable firm projects: Nobu restaurants and hotels worldwide; The New York EDITION; NeueHouse (New York, Los Angeles and London); W Hotels worldwide; Virgin Hotels Chicago; TED Theater (Vancouver, BC), and more.
>Oana Stanescu, partner of the architecture studio Family (Wednesday, June 15) Noteworthy: Ms. Stanescu is currently involved in the +Pool project in New York, a Kickstarter-backed endeavor that involves installing a cross-shaped floating swimming pool in the East River.
NeoCon 2016’s theme is “Design That Works,” and Mr. Morton notes that the show is a great manifestation of that theme:
“NeoCon is a show that really works. It focuses on the pragmatism as well as the inspiration behind design. The word ‘work’ translates to ‘transform,’ and we try to transform the show each year to make it worthwhile for everyone.”
The Merchandise Mart is working hard to improve and advance the building’s visitor experience from a 360 view. Other advancements to The Mart include completed construction on the grand stair, a revamped “Food Hall” (food court), improved wifi, a 40% expansion of the river drive park, additional food trucks and other dining options during the show, and 260,000 square feet of renovated show space.
Attendees interested in joining the NeoCon conversation leading up to the show are welcome to participate in a “NeoCon Social Media Takover” that will include three scheduled Tweetchats along with Instagram content:
>Friday, May 20, hosted by: PPG Industries Architectural Coatings (“PPG Paints @voiceofcolor” with Vicente Wolf). Time: 12pm EST. Theme: Designs Inspired by Destinations and the Four Natural Elements. TweetChat questions will be posted here: neocon.com/Takeover on Monday, May 16th. PPG Industries Architectural Coatings will Instagram on 5/19 and 5/20
>Thursday, May 26, hosted by: Tandus Centiva/Tarkett (will confirm exact handles). Time: 12pm EST. Theme: TBD. TweetChat questions will be posted here: neocon.com/Takeover on Monday, May 23rd. Tandus Centiva/Tarkett will Instagram on 5/25 and 5/26
>Friday, June 3, hosted by: Mohawk Group (will confirm exact handles). Time: TBD (possibly 3-4 EST). Theme: TBD. TweetChat questions will be posted here: neocon.com/Takeover on Monday, May 30th. Mohawk Group will post Instagram on 6/2 and 6/3
Check out the Tweetchat questions ahead of time, participate in the discussion, win prizes and be sure to use the hashtag #NeoCon2016. The NeoCon website (www.neocon.com) details a host of other show events, special exhibits, workshops, tours, awards, information on CEU seminars, and other resources. Stay tuned in May and June for more NeoCon coverage in officeinsight!