NeoCon is almost here, and the lineup is bigger than ever. Consider this your insider guide to the hands-on experiences and exclusive activations you won’t want to miss.
SANDOW DESIGN GROUP is at the center of it all, starting with our DesignScene hub on the 11th floor — a destination for discovery, conversation, and programming throughout the show – plus events, group experiences, and keynotes across The Mart.
Photo: 2025 INTERIOR DESIGN Playground
INTERIOR DESIGN PLAYGROUND
A vibrant space for color and connection. Explore immersive installations co-created by INTERIOR DESIGN in partnership with 3form, Arktura, Camira, and Carnegie.
Part of DesignScene by SANDOW | Suite 1120
HIP AWARDS
Now in its 13th year, the HiP Awards celebrate the most innovative products and people in the commercial design industry. Join us for a cocktail hour sponsored by Haworth, then celebrate the best of the best during the awards ceremony.
Discover new ways to make a positive impact on people and the planet through engaging programs, interactive activations, and insights into the future of design. Our motto, “Good is Fun,” celebrates imagination, playfulness, and self expression as essential to planet-positive design. Plus, explore special activations from Carnegie, Ekoa by Lingrove, Garden on the Wall, Model No. and Real American Hardwood.
Stop by the NeoCon Podcast Lounge for live podcast recordings featuring the voices shaping what’s next in design, creativity, and culture – including Michael Ford, Cheryl Durst, Nick Foster, and more.
While you’re here, explore products and activations from Lounge sponsor Unika Vaev and partners B+N, Darran, and Momentum. Enjoy a few surprises courtesy of UpSpring – and don’t leave without grabbing a pair of our limited-edition SURROUND socks before they’re gone!
Building B2B Relationships for What's Next(for manufacturers)
B2B selling in the interiors industry has changed. Attention is shorter. Trust is earned differently. And the people influencing decisions do not build relationships the way they used to. Drawing on the research behind Amanda Schneider’s TED Talk and new book Work for What’s Next, this keynote translates the shifts reshaping work, communication, and credibility into clear, practical strategies for reps, dealers, manufacturers, and the executives who lead them.
Friday, June 5th | 12-2 P.M. (lunch provided) NeoCon Presentation Studio at Worklife Meetings, 2nd Fl
Would you rather: Stay in the same job you have now for the rest of your career, or change jobs every year until you retire? Share your thoughts on this and more in an interactive, thought-provoking game co-created by ThinkLab and Momentum.
Suite 1110 (inside the NeoCon Podcast Lounge)
MORE LIVE EVENTS WITH AMANDA SCHNEIDER
Featured Presentation How to Redesign Your Office for the Gen Z Takeover
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1:30 P.M. NeoCon Presentation Studio at Worklife Meetings, 2nd Fl
Twelve thought-provoking 20-minute conversations that offer bold ideas around the way we design. Topics include: designing for neurodiversity, why nature's patterns heal us, the future of furniture, and more.
Calling all past 30/30 alumni! Join us to reconnect with familiar faces, meet fellow alumni across cohorts, and continue building the relationships that define this community. Plus: Indulge in a refreshing mocktail from our Reunion sponsor, UpSpring!
Monday, June 8th | 4-6 P.M. SURROUND Speakeasy | Suite 1110 (inside the NeoCon Podcast Lounge)
INTERIOR DESIGN, METROPOLIS, and The Mart host a group of 30 designers from across the country experiencing their very first NeoCon. From showroom crawls, to happy hours, and intimate design talks, the group soaks it all in – be sure to say "welcome!" when you see them on the show floor.
DESIGN DROP LIVE RECORDING
Get an exclusive first look and listen to futureGen’s new podcast, Design Drop, during a live recording. Host Caroline Murphy sits down with guest Jessica O. Matthews to explore the journey from invention to infrastructure — and how energy, design, and human behavior shape the systems we depend on every day.
Monday, June 8th | 11:30 A.M. NeoCon Podcast Lounge | Suite 1110
