The 56th edition of NeoCon, a trade show serving the commercial design industry, took place at THE MART in Chicago, from June 9 to 11, 2025.
Almost 50,000 design professionals from around the world gathered throughout the three-day event. More than 450 exhibiting brands showcased solutions across workplace, education, healthcare, retail, and hospitality.
“Connection and collaboration are a huge part of the NeoCon DNA—and this edition delivered just that, leaving a lasting impression on the industry,” said Byron Morton, VP and co-head of leasing at THE MART. “NeoCon 2025 was a powerful demonstration of design’s impact and potential. The building was buzzing with bold ideas, brisk business, and meaningful networking. It’s where new ideas come to life, in real time under one roof.”
This year’s edition of the show kicked off with Perkins&Will’s cinematic ART on THE MART projection that lit up the Riverwalk and will remain on display through July 6, 2025.
On THE MART’s ground floor, the new gallery-retail hybrid Paved States showcased local and international talent. Inspired by Chicago’s brutalist architectural heritage, the installation featured statement pieces in stone, glass, brick, and iron by various designers.
The Afternoon Oasis sound baths on floors 6 and 14 offered moments of calm, while Turf’s DJ-led takeover of the Freight 22 elevator brought a festive energy to show floor routes. Additional standout spaces included the Gensler-designed Design Creates Joy pop-up by Project Color Corps, and the Haworth DesignLab.
This year, there was more than 175,000 square feet of leasing activity. Among those who expanded their presence include Davis Furniture; sustainable leather manufacturer Green Hides; and specialty surfaces company Wolf-Gordon. Spanish furniture leader Andreu World also doubled its size with a 20,000-square-foot showroom.
Acoustics innovator Turf unveiled a new 18,000-square-foot location on the 10th floor that housed the brand’s flagship showroom, corporate design offices, and prototyping space. Keilhauer also announced plans to more than triple its footprint with a new third-floor space debuting in 2026.
The 35th annual Best of NeoCon Awards continued to spotlight products in commercial design. A total of 96 awards were given across more than 40 categories, recognizing excellence in performance, sustainability, innovation, aesthetics, and user experience.
HALCON’s ASTORIA collection took home Best of Competition for its sculptural bases, premium materials, and concealed casters.
Keilhauer and Andreu World were among the top honourees, each receiving multiple Gold and Silver awards for seating and table designs.
Innovation awards went to Arktura, DARRAN, Extremis, Formica Corporation, Mizetto, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Safco, and Shaw Contract, for products that introduced features and fresh approaches to familiar challenges. Sustainability awards were presented to HÅG, Haworth, Isomi, KFI Studios, Nienkämper, Patcraft, Stinson, and The Good Plastic Company, for solutions reflecting a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
New for 2025, the Best of NeoCon People’s Choice Awards invited the design community to vote for their favourite winning products on-site. Honourees included Arktura’s Tapestra, Clarus’ Lynk, Formica Corporation’s InDepth Surfacing, Framery’s Framery One Lounge, and Global Furniture Group’s Open Spaces.
The 57th edition of NeoCon will be held from June 8 to 10, 2026, at THE MART in Chicago.
