NeoCon Plans for Connection with New Show Features
CHICAGO, IL – NeoCon, the premier event for commercial design, is scheduled from June 8 to 10, 2026, at The Mart in Chicago, IL. A dynamic schedule of events and experiences centered on the 2026 theme, “Where Design Connects,” has been released. Building on NeoCon’s legacy as a platform for discovery and dialogue, the 57th edition introduces an expansive lineup of engagement opportunities from immersive environments to new initiatives like the Preview Day and the debuts of Illuminate at NeoCon and NeoCon Collab: Half Light. Together with returning favorites, these activations create a layered program that unites the industry, engages the senses and reflects the ever-evolving landscape of design.
“NeoCon remains a place and point in time where ideas are tested, relationships are built and the future of the built environment takes shape,” said Lisa Simonian, vice president of marketing for NeoCon. “The 2026 program emphasizes our commitment to experiential design and the value of in-person connection.”
Providing more opportunities for professional exchange and development, NeoCon is adding three major moments to the show. The schedule begins on Sunday, June 7th, with the introduction of the NeoCon Preview Day from 12 to 4 p.m., offering attendees early access across the exhibition floors and creating additional time for engagement ahead of the show’s official opening. Highlighting the vital role of lighting in design, Illuminate at NeoCon (Seventh Floor Exhibit Hall) premieres as a show-within-a-show dedicated to lighting innovation. This new specialized segment will feature more than 50 global and emerging lighting brands, alongside experiential vignettes and 14 programming sessions on the “Spotlight” stage, spanning topics from circadian health and human performance to adaptive digital environments. Further reimagining the seventh-floor experience is the addition of NeoCon Collab: Half Light, a 2,800-square-foot, hospitality-driven installation designed by Charlie Greene Studio. Inspired by “Chicagohenge” -- the alignment of the setting sun with the city grid -- the space brings together Allseating, Foamcore Architectural Elements, Focal Point, KI, Kriskadecor, Luxxbox, Mohawk Group, Paul Brayton Designs, ROOM (an OFS company) and Simii Design within a unified spatial concept.
For more details about NeoCon and a full lineup of its events, visit: www.neocon.com.
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