Grooms Office Environments has attended NeoCon annually for several years in Chicago, IL. We believe it is beneficial for our team of designers and sales employees to attend this event to view and test out the products from hundreds of manufacturers we work with for our commercial design and interior design projects in Southwest Missouri and across the United States. We wanted to share a breakdown of what NeoCon is and how it compares to Design Days which runs at the same time as NeoCon.
Neocon
What is it?
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial interior design industry since 1969. With nearly 1 million square feet of exhibition space, NeoCon features game-changing products and services from more than 400 leading companies and emerging players as well as industry partners — providing unparalleled access to the latest and most innovative solutions in commercial design.
NeoCon serves as the hub for the commercial design community, uniting its designers, architects, end-users, manufacturers, dealers, service providers, associations, educators, students and media each year in June. The NeoCon community remains connected year-round online and onsite at THE MART.
What does NeoCon stand for?
NeoCon stands for National Exposition of Contract Interior Furnishings and originally hosted 750 exhibitors at their first event in 1969.
Where is NeoCon located?
NeoCon is held inside the Merchandise Mart which is in the heart of downtown Chicago.
The Mart is the largest privately held commercial building in the United States: it encompasses 4.2 million gross square feet, spans two city blocks, rises 25 stories, and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day (or nearly 10 million people annually). THE MART serves as the home to Chicago's most creative and technologically innovative companies, including Motorola Mobility, 1871, PayPal, and MATTER, as well as Fortune 500 companies Conagra Brands, Allstate, Medline Industries, Beam Suntory, Avant, and Grainger. It is also the largest and most important center for design in North America with more than 250 premier design showrooms offering the latest resources for both residential and commercial markets.
When is NeoCon?
Annually in June
How much does NeoCon cost?
It is free to attend. You can register prior to the event or at the event inside the Merchandise Mart. It is encouraged to register ahead of time so you can expedite your experience and skip the long lines at registration.
Learn more online at https://neocon.com/.
Design Days in Fulton Market District
What is the Design Days event in Fulton Market?
Design Days is a newer event and was created after several large manufacturers moved their showrooms from the Merchandise Mart to Fulton Market District. The Fulton Market District welcomes top design professionals and enthusiasts to enjoy product launches, exhibits and events, from Monday, June 12 – Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the First Annual Fulton Market Design Days.
Hosted in Chicago, home to one of the world’s most famous shopping streets and jaw-dropping architecture, Fulton Market Design Days is where the architecture and design community come together as the Fulton Market District has quickly become the areas preeminent design destination. “As more design-led furniture and furnishing manufacturers move to the burgeoning Fulton Market District, there is no denying that Chicago is a top destination for great design,” said Armando Chacon, West Central Chamber of Commerce. “This June, as we welcome the architecture & design community and fans of design to experience the vibrant culture of Chicago, the Fulton Market District is a must-see destination.”
Over the past years, the Fulton Market area has transformed into a notable design destination, brimming with restaurants, entertainment and some of the world’s leading architecture and design brands. The 2023 Fulton Market Design Days schedule was packed with pop ups, exhibits and events highlighting the best of what the area has to offer. To make getting to and from the Merchandise Mart to the Fulton Design District easy, a complimentary round trip shuttle ran between the two sites, clearly marked by Design Days branding.
Where is Design Days located?
Fulton Market is located in Chicago, IL and is about 1 mile west of the Merchandise Mart. You can grab a taxi or jump on one of the free shuttles running back and forth between the Mart and Fulton Market. The shuttles are pretty popular so be prepared to potentially wait for space on one.
When is Design Days held?
Annually in June
Learn more online at https://fultonmarketdesigndays.com/.
Tips for NeoCon and Design Days
1. Wear comfy shoes.
Prepare to do a lot of walking whether you are at the Merchandise Mart (all indoor walking) or Fulton Market (walking inside of individual showrooms and then outside as you move to new showrooms).
2. Bring a portable charger.
You will most likely be at the Mart or Fulton Market all day moving from showroom to showroom without access or free time to plug in your phone for long. There will be lots of products to take photos and videos of you that will drain your battery even faster, as well. So grab a portable charger or power bank so you don’t get stranded with a dead phone (especially an issue if you need to grab an Uber or Lyft back to your hotel).
3. Make a plan before you arrive.
There are over 250 showrooms you could visit between NeoCon and Design Days so it can be a little overwhelming once you are onsite and ready to view product. You can find a map online of showrooms so give it a review and make a list of who you want to visit. It is recommended to set up appointments if you want guided tours through the showrooms.
