Neocon Takes Over Chicago

From June 9-11, 2014, more than 700 exhibitors will take over Chicago Merchandise Mart for a trade fair on corporate hospitality, retail, institutional, healthcare, government and residential interiors. Neocon will be hosting a committee of top commercial design firm to discuss the latest trends on office, hospitality, healthcare, retail and institutional designs.

The roster of speakers will include Kimberly Marks (ASID President), Kirsten Richie (Gensler’s director of sustainable design), Alexander Lamis (partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects), Mike Turner (attorney at Neil Gerber & Eisenberg LLP) ad Richard Riviere (principal at Rottet Studio). The speakers will cover topics ranging from greenbuilding design, hospitality design, working environments up to the best business practices.

Priyanka Agrwala, a workplace strategist from Mancini Duffy said, “Finally Baby Boomers and Millenials have found a passionate meeting of the minds on a topic that is also very personal: health and wellness.”

Julia Monk, senior VP and director of hospitality design at HOK agrees and said that millenials have great influence on the designs offered by the hospitality market as hotels develop their brands that will cater towards this new generation.

Monk said, “These spaces call for interactive, open floor plans with multiple areas to congregate as well as special niche spaces like libraries and small cafes. When it comes to products for these environments, designers are selecting pieces that are well-made, flexible and sustainable. These attributes suit the tastes of this younger group, which is accustomed to high-quality, personalization and eco-consciousness.”

The show will be open for trade professionals only. It will start from 9:00am- 5:00 pm daily. Interested parties may register online for $25. Presentations from keynote speakers are free while CEU seminars require a fee. Pre-registration is at $55/course or $65/course for on-site registration.

On June 10, Chicago will also host the annual Guerilla Truck Show where interior designers and furniture designers will be creating spaces within a truck rental.