100+ Seminars. 700 leading companies. Over 50,000 design professionals. 1 million square feet of exhibition space. Are you ready for NeoCon 2016?

NeoCon is one of the most globally recognized and attended events in the commercial interiors industry. This year, it will be hosted from June 13-15 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and promises to be an exceptional design exposition for facility managers and interior designers.  The show is at the forefront of industry trends and it’s important you make the most of your visit. Here’s a survival guide with tips that will save you time and highlight interesting opportunities!

Start Early

We’re not suggesting setting an alarm at four in the morning – we’re talking scheduling meetings with exhibitors before arriving in Chicago. Not only does this help you get ahead of the busy crowd, it will give them time to customize your visit for any projects you have on the go! Review the list of exhibitors and their products on the NeoCon planner and contact the ones you really want to see in advance.

Show Up Well-Rested

A massive venue filled with tens and thousands of enthusiastic workspace designers and manufacturers can be overwhelming, especially if you took a red-eye flight or went to bed very late. Make sure you have a good night sleep, or are sufficiently caffeinated, so that you can keep pace with your itinerary and the exciting individuals exhibiting around you.

Pack Wisely

A deck of business cards in your pocket and your cell phone are the only real essentials you need to bring. There are plenty of bags, brochures and pamphlets you’ll receive as you move through the various floors so you’ll want to minimize the amount of things you have to carry. Other pro-tips include taking notes digitally, asking for the handouts to be emailed to you and finally, for samples to be sent to your office.

Get Familiar with the Mart

NeoCon covers four floors of the behemoth that is the Mart. Identify the correct elevators, but note that some don’t go to the show floors and others are express that only go to the show floors. It’s easy to get lost and there are long lines so the stairs are your best bet! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Plan Your Departure

Hailing a cab amidst tens of thousands of other people leaving the event is next to impossible. If you don’t plan on leaving a bit early to avoid the chaos, be prepared to use public transportation or travel on foot. Or consider using Uber or Lyft – great rideshare options.

Stick Around After Hours

Although the show technically ends at 5pm every-day, the NeoCon veterans know that’s not the case. Every evening after hours there are booth and showroom parties. Take advantage of these for networking opportunities!

Must-Sees

With countless booths at the exhibition, you might be wondering where to start. Here are a couple highlights that will be worth checking out! Feel free to build them into your itinerary to make the most of your visit.

  • InMovement: Grand Opening Brunch
    InMovement’s mission is to reinvent the way employees work to address the harmful effects of a sedentary workday. The company unites productivity with movement through a variety of products such as treadmill desks. They will host an Activated Workplace Living Lab to showcase their new movement-enabling furniture. Check it out if you’re interested in how workspace design affects wellbeing!
  • IdeaPaint: Floor 1, North Lobby Escalator, 7-3069
    If collaborative environments interest you, the ThinkTank Anywhere exhibit is definitely one you’ll want to swing by. IdeaPaint is known for its boundless dry erase canvas tools that get people on their feet and working together. At this year’s event they are launching an innovative mobile system that will connect any white-board brainstorm to phones and laptops – helping take ideation anywhere!
  • Haworth: 312
    Haworth is the largest office furniture brand in the world, operating in 126 countries and sporting an impressive roster of 350 patents for its remarkable designs. This year for NeoCon, designer Patricia Urquiola has created a showroom that seamlessly integrates culture, community, and comfort. A showcase filled with purposeful spaces that support individuals at work – this is one you won’t want to miss.
  • BuzziSpace: Floor 1, East Pass-Thru
    BuzziSpace promises to help you blend work and fun through amusing office design features. Need a break from walking around the countless booth displays? Head on over to the BuzziLounge for an interactive, playful experience. One of the most notable features of the space will be the BuzziJungle, an elevated work-lounge concept that will allow you to escape crowds and get a bird’s eye view of the convention.
  • ChargeSpot: 7-3134A
    Starting to feel nervous about your phone’s draining battery? Swing by our booth for a quick reboot and we’ll tell you about our wireless charging solutions for enterprise and commercial spaces. Compatible with any phone, it’s as easy as placing your device on a table surface. This is an innovative technology you need to see to believe!

There you have it – our guide to surviving NeoCon 2016! We hope to meet you at our booth and give us a shout if you’d like to schedule a meeting in advance.

Image source: NeoCon