What to See at NeoCon 2024 and Fulton Market Design Days

Chicago is my hometown, and there's nothing better than June in the Windy City. Our team is gearing up to see the latest in commercial design at NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days.

Plans are taking shape for the 55th edition of NeoCon, which will be held June 10-12 at The Mart. It's a significant gathering for designers, architects, manufacturers and other professionals involved in the commercial design industry who want to learn about the latest trends, products and innovations in interior design, furniture and architecture.

The theme of NeoCon 2024 is “Design Takes Shape.” The theme will be present during the entire three-day show as the design community gathers to discuss new methods of pushing the built environment forward. More than 400 brands will showcase their ideas, and this year, 18 companies are set to unveil new permanent spaces, from establishing inaugural new showrooms, to reimagining, renovating and expanding existing footprints.

We’re looking forward to seeing the latest innovations from key flooring manufactures in the commercial space: AHF Products, Armstrong Flooring, Aspecta, Bjelin, Buechel Stone, Divine Flooring, Econyl by Aquafil, HMTX, Mannington Commercial, Patcraft and Shaw Contract. In addition, we’re excited to see more tile for floors and walls including: Ann Sacks, Artistic Tile and Porcelanosa.

NeoCon's keynote speakers, which will include Gensler’s Global Entertainment Leader, Bob Weis; British-Nigerian Multi-disciplinary Artist and Designer, Yinka Ilori; and two-time Academy Award-winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter. Complementing these visionaries, this year’s featured presentations will be led by a notable group of thought leaders, designers and change-makers.

Fun fact: During the midcentury, the output in design for contract interiors was astounding. In June 1969, the National Exposition of Contract Interior Furnishings (NeoCon) held its first annual event, featuring a staggering 750 exhibitors and over 100 speakers and moderators who presented seminars and lectures. The scale of the event was unprecedented for the industry.

As NeoCon's 2024 tradeshow draws design aficionados to the Mart, the nearby Fulton Market Design District highlights launches from more than 35 brands. Neighborhood of Brands, a partnership founded in 2022, brought together design-led brands with showrooms and trade spaces dedicated to celebrating design and promoting the Fulton Market area of Chicago as the preeminent design hub in the Midwest.

More than 40,000 attendees visited the inaugural Fulton Market Design Days last year, where they enjoyed exhibits, events and product launches. This year's event will build on the success of 2023 and will feature pop-ups, giveaways, street-side screen printing activations, exhibits and a central Welcome Center at the intersection of North Morgan Street and West Fulton Market. This year, Fulton Market welcomes flooring brands J+J Flooring, Milliken, Mohawk and Tarkett.