NeoCon, a leading platform and event for the commercial interior design industry, is expanding its lineup of experiences and activations across The Mart in Chicago, Illinois when it returns this summer, June 8 – 10, 2026. The three-day event features exhibits from leading and emerging companies, thousands of new products, and a programmatic lineup highlighting the big, bold ideas in commercial design. It is a hub for the global commercial design community and features keynote addresses, panel discussions, and accredited CEU sessions along with world-class presentations, immersive experiences, and networking opportunities across roughly 4.2 million gross square feet—and The Mart’s surrounding River Park and River North neighborhood.
This year’s theme is “Where Design Connects” and kicks off with a pre-show, early look event on June 7 for all attendees. There will be discussions and workshops on the convergence of technology and craft, the significance of lighting, sound and rhythm—presented by Michael Ford, FAIA, NOMA, known as The Hip Hop Architect—and using AI in design practice.
Keynote speakers include: Jessica O. Matthews, award-winning entrepreneur, inventor, and energy advocate—known for inventing an energy-generating soccer ball at 19 years old, founding Uncharted Power, and as Chief Executive Officer of O. Labs—on the power of taking it personally; Nick Foster, Notable Royal Designer of Industry and former head of design at Google X, on the collective ability to “navigate the future with confidence, clarity, and purpose” by dismantling conventional narratives of progress and leaning into the intentional pause. David “Shingy” Shing, creative advisor and cultural strategist, will also give a keynote address on how to build “the creative and cultural readiness to evolve with accelerating technology—without losing the human core that makes design meaningful.”
There will also be experiences and activations like Illuminate at NeoCon—considered a show-within-a-show dedicated to lighting innovation—with participating brands like Axis Lighting, Axolight, CYM x Fixt, Estiluz, Eureka Lighting, Fluxwerx Illumination, Hudson Valley Lighting Group, Marset, RBW, Secto Design, Stackabl, TLS Architectural Lighting, and USAI, among others. Illuminate with also feature an experiential, five-vignette series that considers light as material force, featured panel presentations and spotlight sessions, and continuing education in lighting.
Other activations include: NeoCon Collab: Half-Light, Paved States x DesignLab, Neuroaesthetic Art: A Healing Journey to Self-Reflection, Astra Café, Café Lounge by Armstrong Flooring®, BIOS Lighting’s Blue Sky technology—developed from NASA research used on the International Space Station—CISCO: The Fourth Utility for Next-Generation Workplaces, FRI Studios’ Pop-Up Lounge, Turf® Elevator Experience, BIFMA Lounge, Education Pavilion by INDEAL, Art on The Mart, and River Park presented by Haworth, to name a few.
The full schedule of events, experiences, product launches, and panels can be found on NeoCon’s website, with real-time information available on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Text: GLBD Staff