Hi Everyone!
I really enjoyed Lauren’s presentation this week on Professional Practice. There are so many different aspects to our industry and it seems like there are constantly new trends, products, and practices to keep up on! Attending industry events is a great way to not only keep up with the latest and greatest, but also a wonderful way to network and get your name out in the community. One of the largest events of the year is right around the corner and I wanted to give everyone some information about it in case they would like to attend!
Here’s a brief history and overview of NeoCon.
History of NeoCon
The history of NeoCon is an important aspect of today’s design community. This nationwide event has evolved into a well known and respected trade show throughout the world. Designers are constantly being kept on their toes to provide the most innovative and creative product ideas in order to accommodate both the public’s design needs, as well as their desire for fresh, inspiring products.
When NeoCon, (The National Exposition of Contract Furnishings), debuted in 1969, 750 exhibitors filled the 222,000 square feet of space in The Merchandise Mart. In 2002, over 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers of commercial and residential furnishings flocked to The Merchandise Mart to claim a showroom within the 1 million square feet of available space. In recent years the show has expanded to Baltimore and Canada due to its tremendous success and each year, over 40,000 people come to Chicago to attend NeoCon. The grand scale of this event is what makes it both memorable and successful.
NeoCon is now considered the largest trade show of its kind in North America. Complete with 700 showrooms and exhibits, NeoCon offers a unique combination of residential and commercial furnishings in one convenient location. Professional designers and architects can journey from product seminars and special events to furniture exhibits with ease. The demand for NeoCon will continue as various emerging commercial industries grow and transform. (http://www.neocon.com/showinformation/history/)
There are so many great opportunities to not only educate yourself on new products, but also attend seminars from experienced designers in a wide range of topics, special events for students, and to top it off there’s always a fun showroom party to attend! It’s always a lot of fun and a great way to explore Chicago in your down time. I’ll be attending this year and am most excited to hear Ian Schrager speak!!!!! I hope to see some of you there!
For more information check out the show’s main website: http://www.neocon.com/
I truly believe that going to interior design based seminars, lectures and trade shows are some of the best ways to network and make yourself known in the A&D community. I can’t wait to attend NeoCon!! I hope that when I return, I can start attending more Atlanta-based industry events. We should try to get our classmates involved too so we can establish an industry presence.
Stacey Reply:
May 31st, 2012 at 11:11 am
I am so excited to be going with you guys! I think it will be such a great experience, and as we discussed in class, networking is always easier in a group!
Stacey,
I am thrilled to be attending NeoCon as well! I had no idea when the first show was or exactly how big it is now, so this was very helpful. I think that it is crucial for design students to really get out there and network at these industry events.
Jessie