NeoCon 2026 Call for Programming Opens October 30

Accepting On-Site & Virtual Programming Submissions for the Show’s 57th Edition

NeoCon, the premier platform for commercial interiors innovation and connection, is pleased to announce that its Call for Programming will open on October 30. Taking place at The Mart in Chicago June 8-10, with a new Preview Day on Sunday, June 7, NeoCon invites leading voices, industry disruptors, and forward-thinking design experts to submit Continuing Education Units (CEUs), workshops, and NeoCon Talks proposals for the 57th edition.

Continuing its legacy of delivering world-class education, NeoCon 2026 will spotlight 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 will expand 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.”

Proposals will be considered across a wide range of educational categories, including workplace, healthcare, hospitality, public space, lighting, wellness, technology, sustainability, inclusion, and more. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2026. Submission formats include:

• Virtual CEU Sessions

  Pre-recorded, 60-minute sessions delivering high-value education on emerging trends, global case studies, innovative practices, and more. Approved by IDCEC and AIA, these CEUs will be available on-demand via the NeoCon CEU Hub starting June 8. CEU registration closes October 5, however, purchased sessions will remain available until the end of the year via the NeoCon CEU Hub.

• On-Site CEU Sessions 

  Live, dynamic presentations designed to foster engagement and real-time discussion. Selected sessions will be approved by IDCEC and AIA and presented at THE MART during NeoCon. These sessions will also be recorded and available as Virtual CEUs.

• Workshops

  In-person, experiential sessions, up to two hours long offering hands-on learning and interactive engagement. Workshops will be scheduled during select timeslots throughout the three-day show.

• NeoCon Talks — in partnership with Design Milk

  Inspiring 20-minute presentations by emerging influencers and established thought leaders, held on-site in the NeoCon Talks Lounge (7th Floor Exhibit Hall) on June 8 and 9. Presented in partnership with Design Milk, these fast-paced talks deliver fresh insights and bold ideas designed to spark innovation and drive meaningful change. Talks will be recorded and made available post-show via the NeoCon Program Library.

Additional details and submission guidelines can be found at neocon.com/programming/call-for-programming.

For showroom, exhibitor, and general NeoCon news, images, and real-time information, follow NeoCon on: Instagram (@NeoCon_Shows), LinkedIn (@NeoCon-Shows), and Facebook  (@NeoConShows).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When do submissions open and close, and what is the process for submitting a proposal?
A: The Call for Programming opens on October 30, 2025, and the deadline for all applications is January 15, 2026. The entire submission process is completed online through the official portal at neocon.com/programming/call-for-programming.

Q: What categories and formats are acceptable for submission?
A: Programming proposals are welcomed across categories, including workplace, healthcare, hospitality, lighting, sustainability, inclusion, and more. Formats accepted include CEU Sessions, Workshops, and NeoCon Talks.

Q: What new features and additions are planned for NeoCon 2026?
A: The 57th edition includes two major updates: a new Preview Day on Sunday, June 7, from 12 pm to 4 pm, giving all registered attendees early access; and the debut of Illuminate at NeoCon, a new show-within-a-show dedicated to architectural, technical, and decorative lighting.

About NeoCon: 

NeoCon is the world’s leading platform and most important event for the commercial interiors industry, held each year at The Mart in Chicago. Since launching in 1969, NeoCon has served as the annual gathering place for the commercial design world’s manufacturers, dealers, architects, designers, end-users, design organizations, and media. The three-day event showcases game-changing products and services from more than 400 leading and emerging companies—providing unparalleled access to the latest and most innovative solutions. A robust educational program of keynote presentations and CEU sessions offers world-class expertise and insight into today’s most relevant topics as well as the future of commercial design. www.neocon.com

NeoCon® is a registered trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., a subsidiary of Vornado Realty Trust.

About The Mart:

The Mart is the largest privately held commercial building in the United States: It encompasses 4.2 million gross square feet, spans two city blocks, rises 25 stories, and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day (or nearly 10 million people annually).

The Mart serves as the home to Chicago’s most creative and technologically innovative companies, including Motorola Mobility, PayPal, Avant, and MATTER, as well as Fortune 500 companies Conagra Brands, Allstate, Medline Industries, Beam Suntory, IPG, and Grainger. It is also the largest and most important center for design in North America, with more than 250 premier design showrooms offering the latest resources for both residential and commercial markets.