Chicago, IL, July 2---NeoCon– the contract furnishings industry's premier event and North America's largest conference and exhibition for interior design and facilities management – attracted 41,820 professional attendees June 14-16, 2004, at The Merchandise Mart.
The annual show fortified the optimistic buzz in the contract industry of late as manufacturers commented on their continued sales growth across the board.
“NeoCon is part fashion show, part learning lab, part family reunion. For Herman Miller, it’s a great opportunity to share our knowledge and our product solutions. It’s a terrific setting for us to learn more about the elements and issues that shape great places to work, to learn and to heal,” said Michael A. Volkema, chairman of the board, Herman Miller.
The annual Best of NeoCon® Awards – presented each year during NeoCon – had an unprecedented number of 325 product entries this year, which is a 30% increase over the number of entries in 2003. Metro’s “Topo,” designed by the Metro Design Team, took top honors winning the coveted “best of competition” title and also winning in the “alternative office” category in this year’s Best of NeoCon awards. In all, 65 awards were distributed, comprised of gold and silver awards, as well as seven innovation awards, four editors’ choice awards, and the previously mentioned best of competition award. The Best of NeoCon Awards is sponsored by Contract magazine, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), the International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) and McMorrow Report.
“The great optimism in the marketplace is palpable,” said Mark Falanga, vice president, MMPI, producer and manager of NeoCon. “The significant number of new products introduced at this year’s NeoCon coupled with the ongoing level of investment in showroom renovations were stunning, which signifies further growth ahead.” New this year was MMPI’s initiative to invite and attract end users from 130 office tenants in the Chicago Market that are collectively looking for 6.5 million square feet of space. “I applaud our NeoCon showrooms and exhibitors for joining us in welcoming these influential companies, which will no doubt turn into sales as they renovate their office spaces.”
Also noticeable at NeoCon 2004 was an increased emphasis on green products and sustainable design. In the popular area of the show known as GREENlife: Products for Sustainable Environments, it was evident that sustainable design is no longer an extremist movement, but rather has become mainstream. “Manufacturers are responding to the design community’s demand for green products, and the design community, in turn, has been doing a great job of educating their clients about sustainable design,” added Falanga. Sponsored by Interiors & Sources magazine and designed by TVS Interiors, GREENlife celebrated sustainable design and showcased the products, resources, people and education available to make it happen. The GREENlife design incorporated guidelines from the U.S. Green Building Council’s new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Commercial Interiors green building rating system.
The total range of special exhibits at NeoCon drew attention as well, from the new Interior Design magazine’s Design Direct Theater that featured product designers to the six keynote speakers and their fantastic attendance. Daniel Libeskind, one of the world’s leading architects, drew a standing-room-only crowd. Overall seminar attendance at NeoCon 2004 was up by more than eight percent from last year. NeoCon’s 120 CEU-accredited programs featured varied topics and leading speakers, and offered a superior educational opportunity for industry professionals. In addition, Student Day brought in 1,600 future designers who were more actively involved with the show than ever before, participating in student exhibits, tours and a new docen
