NeoCon East 2016 Preview

October is jam-packed with conferences, trade shows, and other industry events. But landing at the end of this burst of activity is NeoCon East 2016, happening November 9 and 10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

In its second year in its new Philadelphia home, NeoCon East is continuing its reinvention through a restart in new energy and programming. We spoke to show organizers to find the best parts of the show, and we weren’t disappointed.

Once again, NeoCon East is joining forces with AIA Philadelphia’s annual Design on the Delaware conference to offer a two day trade show and three days of professional education and networking events. Design on the Delaware will include 32 programs, three general sessions, and 11 tours.

“This year attendees will be able to register for individual programs being offered at Design on the Delaware in addition to the NeoCon East seminars and special events being offered over the course of the two-day design expo and conference.”

More than 200 companies will exhibit on the show floor this year, and show organizers report a lot of shifting around in who’s showing, and what type and size of the space they’re showing in.

 

“We have close to 200 exhibitors in the show who are budgeting their time and their dollars to be present, and we’ve got close to 7,000 attendees budgeting their time and their money to come out and find solutions and new products,” said Lindsey Martin, director of marketing, NeoCon shows, Vornado | Merchandise Mart. “These are likeminded folks who are connecting with each other and finding out about new business opportunities. Those who aren’t in the show are missing out on all of that.

“A lot of companies are coming because they really want to be there and they know it’s important. And even with this really tight scheduling with other tradeshows, they’re making it happen.”

NeoCon East show organizers say that while companies use NeoCon as a big preview reveal for products, as well as a big branding tool, they’re using NeoCon East as the official launchpad for those new products.

“That kind of puts it all into perspective – how NeoCon East really can work for companies,” said Ms. Martin. “NeoCon East is really about attendees saying, ‘we know who you are, we love your brand, we want your product, but we want to see the people who are going to sell the product. We want to find out everything we need to know so we’re making the best selection for our client.’

“Those are important conversations. This industry is built on relationships, and our job is to create an experience for our exhibitors and our attendees and to connect them to business opportunities. And that’s what we do. We want to make those connections and give people an experience and value for what they’re taking time away from their offices to do.”

NeoCon East is also attracting attention from facility managers. New to the show last year and continuing in 2016 is a special feature called “15 Minute Match” presented by the McMorrow Reports and NeoCon East. 15 Minute Match is an opportunity for facilities professionals and commercial interior designers to be matched with product manufacturers and service providers in small groups for 15 minutes per exhibitor in two-hour blocks. It’s a great way for people to meet each other and find what they’re looking for in a more structured show floor experience.

NeoCon East has two excellent keynote speakers, and show organizers report that the numbers of registered attendees to these keynote sessions are on the up:

>Marc Kushner, co-founder and CEO of online architecture database Architizer, & partner of New York architecture firm HWKN. Check out his TED Talk, “Why the buildings of the future will be shaped by…you” here. Wednesday at 11a.m.

>Ayse Birsel, co-founder of Birsel + Seck, an innovative design studio in New York. Ms. Birsel’s work is in the permanent collections of the MOMA and Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, she teaches at SVA and has taught at the Pratt Institute. Thursday at 11a.m.

Show attendees can choose from more than 25 CEU seminars across 15 educational tracks, including a higher education track and a specifically designed government seminar series, In this series, all seminars are GSA approved, but the programming is free to all attendees and is not limited to only those in the GSA.

In addition to keynotes and more than 25 CEU seminars, attendees can also sign up for a two hour “Introduction to the WELL Building Standard” workshop session Wednesday morning at 8:30a.m.

NeoCon East is also continuing its focus on GSA work, including special programming, exhibitor focus, and marketing to government agencies.

“We’re delivering the largest concentration of manufacturers on a multiple work schedule,” said Ms. Martin. “If you’re looking for commercial interior furnishings on GSA schedules, you can find it here. We have a very rich list of perspective government attendees. And now that we’re in Philadelphia, GSA’s offices are right down the street, so we’re expecting to see a big crowd from them.”

On Thursday morning during the show, the GSA will host its Quality Partnership Conference (QPC) will gather manufacturers and GSA staff and specialists for roundtable discussions and to cover specific materials related to getting on the GSA schedule. To register for the QPC, call (215) 983-9702.

And of course, there are a few parties planned for the show. Most notable are two back-to-back parties on Wednesday for both NeoCon East and Design on the Delaware attendees:

>Philadelphia Block Party. Enjoy Philadelphia-style food and drinks on the show floor, 4-6p.m.

>Design on the Delaware Kick Off Party. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at AIA Philadelphia headquarters in the Center for Architecture and Design, across the street from the Convention Center, 1218 Arch Street, 6-8p.m.

To register for NeoCon East and sign up for programs, visit neoconeast.com. We’ll see you at the show!