NeoCon East, November 15-16 in Philadelphia

NeoCon East is a great trade show. Even though it’s actually a regional show, it has always punched above its weight class, owing to the fact that it’s run by the NeoCon Team from TheMART. And while it takes place pretty late in autumn, it has usually been the first major post-NeoCon opportunity for industry manufacturers to present their newest products to the important Northeast/Mid-Atlantic economic area. With the move to Philadelphia from it’s former home in Baltimore, NeoCon East is now a relatively easy commute from the tri-state area of New York/New Jersey/Connecticut and still within easy reach of the GSA intensive Washington/Baltimore market.

Julie Kohl, Vice President of Exhibitor Sales, NeoCon Shows

Julie Kohl, Vice President of Exhibitor Sales, NeoCon Shows, comments, “This year, we’re excited to feature 150 new and returning exhibitors, whose innovative, ready-to-specify solutions will enhance the 15th annual edition of NeoCon East. From intelligently designed furniture to high-performing acoustic solutions, there is a wealth of new-to-market options across vertical markets for attendees to discover.”

However, as our newest Nobel Laureate for Literature wrote, “The times they are a-changin’.” A quick scan of the list of exhibitors turns up only Knoll among the six biggest furniture manufacturers.

Perhaps the others are so well known and have such broad portfolios that a tradeshow with less than the full-on NeoCon permanent showroom space no longer fits their needs. Or perhaps in the new digital world there are just too many new ways to spend precious marketing dollars. But for me, trade shows still represent one of the most efficient ways to get the word out on new products. After all, a photo-realistic rendering or even a Virtual Reality walkthrough can’t hold a candle to having a sit in a new chair or admiring a beautiful cut of wood and running ones hand over a fine finish.

So absent the usual suspects, the up and coming companies are jumping on the opportunity to get some attention – out from under the shadow of the “Big Guys.” I’m talking about Andreu World, Allseating, AIS, Clarus Glassboards, ICF Group, Framery, Global, Halcon and Spec Furniture to name a few (see the full exhibitors list here). Interestingly, most of the big flooring companies are taking advantage of the chance to demonstrate their newest designs; Atlas Carpet Mills, Mannington Commercial, Milliken, Patcraft, Shaw, and Tarkett will all be there.

Andreu World is one of the up and coming companies capitalizing on the opportunity to show off new products at NeoCon East. Capri Lounge shown

Transwall, the Philadelphia area wall manufacturer is hoping to build on its past success with an enlarged presence. Will Lytle, regional sales manager at Transwall said, “Product decisions are being made at NeoCon East and exhibitors who are present are not only getting that invaluable in-person time with architects, designers and large end user accounts; they are getting their business. Over the last two years that we’ve exhibited, we’ve been specified and awarded seven different projects as a direct result of being a NeoCon East exhibitor – representing a value of over six million. One of those seven projects has since become a national account, which is now standardizing their projects to fit our products. We are excited to be back this year with a bigger booth. We’ve gone from a 10×20 to a 20×20 space so that the NeoCon East attendees can better experience our products.”

Knoll’s Rockwell Unscripted

Knoll, as I mentioned will be there, no doubt showing off its new archive-inspired fabric collections, along with the award winning Rockwell Unscripted products designed to support the new more hospitality-inspired trends in workplace design.

Speak Space freestanding mobile privacy pod by Unika Vaev.

The ICF Group has stepped up its NeoCon East program with sponsorship of the keynote presenters in the newly named ICF Group Keynote Theater. Unika Vaev will be showing a number of its innovative, customizable acoustic solutions, and there will be plenty of furniture from Nienkamper and ICF.

Monica DeBartolo, director of programming for the NeoCon Team – yes, the same Monica DeBartolo who organizes the impressive keynotes, seminars and educational programs at NeoCon in Chicago – says, “Our aim for the NeoCon East educational offering is to inform, spark conversation and provide professionals across disciplines a way to effectively and efficiently earn valuable CEU credits in just two days.”

“Anchoring this program will be our exceptional keynote speakers: Suzette Subance Ferrier, IIDA (Design Director, TPG Architecture), Zena Howard, AIA, LEED AP (Managing Director, Perkins+Will, North Carolina Practice), David Insinga, AIA (Chief Architect, General Services Administration’s Public Building Service) and Alex Gilliam (Founder, Public Workshop).”

This year’s programs cater to varying levels of practice and cover a broad range of topics of interest. For example, Donald Rattner, AIA, of Cos Cob, CT, will discuss the application of psychology to the design of buildings and ecosystems that inspire innovation. While Dianne Juba, Workplace Strategist, GSA HQ, Washington, D.C., will lead a panel discussion on best practices in designing for the federal government.

And not to be overlooked is my favorite thing about trade shows: the face-to-face encounters with others who are as passionate about our industry as I am. It’s a bright and creative community. So I hope to see you there.

Exhibitors and visitors enjoy the face time.