NeoCon concluded its 57th edition with attendance up 9% over 2025, reinforcing its role as the leading gathering for the commercial interiors industry. Under the theme “Where Design Connects,” the 2026 event welcomed design professionals from 88 countries for four days of product discovery, programming, networking, and business development. Featuring 450 brands across established leaders, returning exhibitors, and emerging companies, NeoCon 2026 highlighted the innovation shaping the future of commercial environments while underscoring the value of in-person connection.
New initiatives expanded the attendee experience, including Illuminate at NeoCon, a dedicated 7th-floor lighting pavilion that surpassed expectations with more than 60 global and emerging exhibitors. NeoCon Collab: Half-Light, an immersive hospitality-driven installation by Charlie Greene Studio, also debuted alongside an early opening day that gave attendees additional opportunities for showroom exploration and engagement.
“NeoCon has always been a reflection of where the commercial design industry is headed, and this year there was a real sense of momentum that was felt across every floor,” remarks Byron Morton, Vice President and Co-Head of Leasing at The Mart. “It was evident in the conversations taking place between exhibitors and specifiers, in the investments brands are making in their presence at The Mart, and in the enthusiasm around new ideas and introductions.”
A Marketplace for Fresh Ideas and Innovative Products
Across nearly one million square feet of exhibition space, NeoCon showcased solutions spanning workplace, healthcare, hospitality, education, public space, materials, technology, lighting, acoustics, and furnishings. From permanent showrooms to the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall, brands introduced products designed to meet the evolving needs of commercial environments.
Burgundy, lavender, and plum tones emerged as defining palettes, while furniture shifted toward softer silhouettes, curved seating, communal forms, and tactile materials. Fluted details, velvet-like textures, bold color blocking, and playful accents reflected a broader movement toward universally designed spaces that blend residential comfort with commercial functionality.
“That rich mauve. The muted, almost-exhaled palettes appearing independently across showrooms who never compared notes. That’s not a color trend. That’s the industry taking the emotional pulse of the culture. Overstimulated people need color that is an act of care, and the floor knew it before anyone wrote the brief,” notes Meena Krenek, Global Sector Director, Interiors, at HKS.
“Cognitive research is reshaping design at every scale — seating that invites movement, lighting calibrated to circadian rhythms, natural materials that carry the restorative quality of the outdoors inside, acoustic and sensory elements working together rather than in isolation,” notes Janet Simpson, ASID, IIDA Associate AIA, President, CEO of TVS.
The show also reflected continued investment at The Mart, with 22 long-term agreements, new permanent showrooms, expansions, and specialty showcases. New spaces from Formica Group, Haskell Education, Nevers Industries, Slalom, and Workrite joined reinvestments from Keilhauer, Division Twelve, and Calyx by Claridge, highlighting NeoCon’s role as both an innovation platform and year-round business destination.
“The business momentum and engagement this year were unmistakable,” notes Tim Penczar, Principal at Martin Brattrud. “We saw an influx of active buyers and designers arriving with projects in hand, turning our showroom into a destination for collaborative planning rather than ‘look-and-see appointments.’”
“With 2026 officially marking Turf’s 10th anniversary, seeing record-breaking attendance in our showroom—with visits up nearly 20% from last year—alongside the incredible energy and turnout at this year’s NeoCon truly reinforces our investment in both the design community and the historic Merchandise Mart, a true cornerstone of our industry,” says Robert MacMeccan, Ph.D., WELL AP, President at Turf.
“There’s a reason the design community has returned to The Mart and NeoCon year after year,” comments Glenn Stinson, VP/Chief Operating Officer at CF Stinson. “For nearly a century, they’ve evolved alongside the people and brands shaping how we live and work, continually moving the industry forward. CF Stinson Brands is in its own period of evolution, and opening our new third-floor showroom this year—bringing all of our brands together under one roof for the first time—felt like a fitting milestone. The Mart is a place that has never stopped evolving, and neither have we."
“NeoCon has always been one of the most important gatherings for the commercial design industry, and this year was especially meaningful for the Formica Group,” comments Meghan Howell, North American Design & Creative Director at Formica Corporation. “Opening our new showroom in The Mart gives us a permanent home at the center of the design community and creates new opportunities to engage with architects, designers, and customers throughout the year. We are grateful for the incredible response and excited about what this new chapter means for Formica Group and the customers we serve.”
“My only regret is that I wish I had another day here,” comments Morri Chowaiki, Head of Sales and Partnerships at The Shark Group. “NeoCon, more than any of the other trade shows, is worth its weight in gold because I got to see and experience so much under one roof.”
A New Chapter for Lighting at NeoCon
The debut of Illuminate at NeoCon brought lighting innovation to the forefront of the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall, featuring more than 60 global and emerging brands. Developed with guidance from lighting experts Sohana Arni, Avi Mor, and Clara Powell, the showcase highlighted architectural, technical, and decorative lighting solutions alongside immersive installations, educational programming, and CEUs focused on wellness, technology, and design strategy.
“Knowing that lighting now has a dedicated presence at NeoCon gives us the confidence to push our products and designs even further,” says Mel Saenz, Vice President of Relationships at Juniper. “We’ve been able to have meaningful conversations with people who may not regularly specify lighting or fully understand what’s possible. There’s an excitement in being able to educate, inspire curiosity, and bring more designers into the conversation. That's why we want to be here.”
“Participating in the inaugural year of Illuminate at NeoCon—the epicenter of workplace design—allowed us to forge new meaningful connections with senior designers from leading international studios,” states Charles Brill, Managing Partner at RBW.
Industry Recognitions
Innovation remained central through the 36th annual Best of NeoCon Awards, recognizing 71 products across 42 categories for design, innovation, sustainability, and performance. KI earned Best of Competition for its Cognetic Technology seating innovation, while the second annual People’s Choice Awards recognized standout products from Mohawk Group, SurfaceWorks, BIOS Lighting, Haskell Education, Andreu World, and HALCON Furniture.
“NeoCon 2026 at The Mart surpassed all of our expectations,” comments Robert Soler, Founder & Chief Scientist, BIOS Lighting - SkyView. “We came to make connections—and what we found was a global community of forward-thinking designers, architects, and facility leaders who were hungry to learn and eager to engage. Being part of the Illuminate show was particularly special, and winning five Best of NeoCon awards made it truly unforgettable.”
Tiffany Liem, Former Vice President, Design at Brookfield Properties and Best of NeoCon 2026 juror, adds: “One of the most rewarding aspects of the jury experience was learning from diverse perspectives while evaluating some of the industry's most innovative product launches. Through direct engagement with designers and manufacturers, we assessed each product beyond aesthetics, analyzing resilience, sustainability, value, and real-world performance. An inspiring experience and a great reminder of the innovation driving our industry forward.”
“Activity at The Mart was substantial, and we saw a significant growth in visitors," says Paul Nemschoff, Haworth Global Strategy and Marketing Vice President. "Haworth ancillary introductions were well received and won a variety of awards.”
Curated Global Programming and Hyper-Local Experiences
NeoCon’s future-focused programming brought together visionaries, designers, and cultural leaders for conversations exploring the evolution of the built environment. Keynotes from Jessica O. Matthews, Nick Foster, and David "Shingy" Shing examined innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, and cultural transformation, while sessions explored AI, neuroinclusive design, sustainability, workplace evolution, lighting, materials, and human-centered environments.
“We often talk about the future of design as if it's about spaces, furniture, or technology. At NeoCon, I was reminded it's really about people,” comments David Shing, Digital Prophet, Cultural Strategist, and NeoCon 2026 keynote speaker. “Design has the power to connect worlds of work and play, support diverse needs, and create environments where people can thrive. If the conversations I had this week are any indication, the future looks incredibly human.”
NeoCon will return to The Mart for its 58th edition, taking place June 13-16, 2027, continuing its commitment to a four-day experience and lighting innovation through Illuminate at NeoCon.
Images courtesy of NeoCon
