Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2021 10 W ith attendance close to 20,000, theMART was abuzz with innovative design, new products, important connections, and a sharing of ideas that is only possible in person. Luminaries including prolific Chicago architects Jeanne Gang and Jackie Koo, and entrepreneur and best-selling author Frans Johansson delivered thought-provoking, inspiring keynote addresses that explored everything from the best way to approach designing public spaces, to mending social divides, to how diversity and inclusion drive innovation. The robust educational program included special presentations, as well as virtual CEU seminars, available on demand in the NeoCon Hub through November 6th. Underscoring the enduring value of a showroom at theMART/ NeoCon, eight manufacturers established new permanent spaces this year, in time for NeoCon 2021. The development reflects a steady growth in leasing activity – a total of 16 new showrooms opened since 2019, including ERG International, Extremis, Digilock, Spacestor, Kettal, HMTX Industries, Snowsound - USA, Narbutas USA, Inc., Bernhardt Design, Ethnicraft, KFI Studios, Pedrali, OM Seating, HOWE, Formaspace and Claridge Products. Additionally, two showrooms expanded their presence, including Watson Furniture and 9to5 Seating. The 7th Floor Exhibit Hall welcomed a number of new brands to the fold, including Design Pool LLC, Hollman, Miran, Ultrafabrics, Fermob USA, and Designerie, to name a few. Organized into five main categories, it was a rich resource for innovations across a range of vertical markets. This year's 7th floor exhibitors were awarded fourteen coveted Best of NeoCon Awards. Brands that received accolades included Armstrong Flooring, Mantra Inspired Furniture, SnapCab, Framery, SILEN OU, Vestaboard, Dfm, Configura Inc., Scanomat, Reseat, ERGOBOND, APCO Signs and Koncept Technologies Inc. As the future of work and the shared spaces of tomorrow continue to be top of mind, NeoCon manufacturers showcased ground- breaking new products that addressed major trends, including sustainability, biophilia, neurodiversity, adaptability and evidenced- based design. Byron Morton, Vice President of Sales and Leasing, NeoCon, said, "As we are still facing challenges and adapting to a changed world and way of living, this year's NeoCon was proof positive of the industry's enduring innovation and resilience. The consensus was 'quality business' with exhibitors reporting that the in-person format and power of the NeoCon show experience at theMART allowed for meaningful and productive conversations. We look forward to building on the momentum as we prepare for NeoCon 2022, just eight months away in June." NeoCon 2021 marked the re-launch of the highly coveted Best of NeoCon Awards, now in their 30th edition. Winners were announced at a celebratory in-person award ceremony on the first day. The highest Best in Competition award went to DARRAN Furniture, for Honey, a ground-breaking furniture system designed by Mark Müller and Christopher Wright. Unlike any other program in the industry, the Best of NeoCon Awards are determined by a highly qualified jury of 50 leading architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients and facility managers who judge entrants onsite in the days leading up to the show. IIDA Showroom & Booth Design Competition winners included Hightower in the Small Showroom category and Haworth in the large booth category for their space in the South Lobby. Additional awards ceremonies and inspiring exhibits made for a productive and lively show. ATTENDEES AND EXHIBITORS SHARED THEIR NEOCON 2021 OBSERVATIONS "NeoCon was really energizing this year because we were able not only to touch and feel the products that are so essential to our projects, but also to connect with our peers and industry partners to enjoy great discussions about how interior design is evolving with the present moment." – Haley Nelson, senior associate/senior interior designer, HGA "The attention to detail, color and functionality propelled this year's displays to a new level. TheMART continues to be a hub for some of the most impressive design minds of our time, and it was our pleasure and honor to see these curations come to life through the 2021 IIDA Showroom and Booth Competition." – Juror Jamie Calvier, Fitwel Amb., LEED GA, designer + project manager, BOX Studios "Attending NeoCon is like diving headfirst into the gap between where our clients' spaces are, and where they'd like them to be. There's a solution for every design problem, even the ones we don't know about yet." – Katie Titi, facility space planner, interior designer, and founder, Katie Titi LLC "It was great to be among our colleagues again at NeoCon – we have all missed connecting with one another over the past 20 plus months. In addition to bringing people together, NeoCon is a great platform for industry-changing products and initiatives. This year I was most inspired Reuniting at NeoCon 2021 Photo © Tony Favarula

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