NeoCon Announces New Events for 2026 Expo
Chicago, IL, April 29, 2026-NeoCon, the commercial design event slated for June 8 to 10 at The Mart in Chicago, unveils a schedule of events and experiences centered on the 2026 theme: “Where Design Connects.”
Providing more opportunities for professional exchange and development, NeoCon is adding three major moments to the show. The schedule begins on June 7 with the introduction of the NeoCon Preview Day from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, 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 (7th 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.
Art on The Mart (The South Facade of The Mart) will transform the building exterior into a dynamic canvas of light and sound with Love Language, a projection by HDR that explores art as a universal form of communication. Also outside, the River Park, presented by Haworth, offers an open-air setting for informal meetings, meals, and events throughout the show.
The energy of the show is bolstered by a series of networking events and industry traditions:
Sunday, June 7 (Preview Day)
- Interior Design HiP Awards (Marshall’s Landing, 4:30-7:30 p.m.): An awards ceremony recognizing innovation across product and workplace design.
- Revel in Design, IIDA's Premier Design Celebration (The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 7:00-11:00 p.m.): Where global design leaders gather to celebrate the winners of the Interior Design Competition and Will Ching Design Competition.
Monday, June 8
- Best of NeoCon Awards Ceremony (Livestreamed at the Grand Stair and on NeoCon.com, 7:30-8:30 a.m.): Now in its 36th year, the program honors design excellence, innovation, sustainability, and business impact across 46 categories, with expanded lighting classifications introduced alongside the debut of Illuminate.
- Paved States x DesignLab Cocktail Reception (Suite 121 & South Lobby, 5:00-8:00 p.m.): An exclusive reception hosted by Sixtysix Magazine and Haworth celebrating the exhibition.
- MRL NeoCon AfterHours Party (Tree House - 149 W Kinzie, 8:00-11:00 p.m.): A high-energy night of networking and celebration in the heart of River North.
Tuesday, June 9
- Start Your Day on 1 (Floor 1, 8:30-10:00 a.m.): A guided tour of the first-floor showrooms carrying luxury contract-grade products.
- Afternoon Oasis (Floors 6 & 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.): A moment to recharge with sound bath meditations and rejuvenating refreshments.
- Happy Together Hour (River Park, 5:00-6:30 p.m.): A festive celebration and opportunity to connect over complimentary drinks and live music along the Chicago River.
- Designing a Better Chicago’s NeoCon After Party (Secrist Beach, 6:00-9:00 p.m.): An unforgettable awards ceremony toasting visionary projects that support and strengthen local communities, hosted by the Design Museum of Chicago in partnership with NeoCon and the Driehaus Foundation.
Wednesday, June 10
- BIFMA Breakfast (NeoCon Presentation Studio, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.): A lively discussion and networking event bringing together industry leaders.
- Best of NeoCon People’s Choice Awards: Voted on by NeoCon attendees throughout the week-People’s Choice will be announced online, spotlighting the fan-favorite products that captured attention across the show.