SPACE SOLUTIONS:
NEOCON 2022 OVERVIEW
NeoCon returned to the Merchandise Mart with an estimated 30,000+ attendees, a rebalancing of permanent and temporary showrooms, and positive accolades from attendees, exhibitors, and publications.
- 31,000 estimated attendees
- 450 exhibitors (at The Mart)
- 255 Best of NeoCon entries
DESIGN TRENDS
Here are highlights, trends, and buzz from The Mart and Fulton Market.
Resimercial can hardly be called a trend in today’s workspaces, which was evident in the products and spaces featured in this year’s NeoCon and Fulton Market showrooms, as employers seek to give employees a sense of home.
With companies bringing workers back to the office, employers are dedicating more real estate to alternative workspaces, enabling workers to work where and how they want throughout the day in places that feel like our pandemic-based home office of the past few years.
Expanding the workspace to include options for “Me,” “We,” and “Us” lends itself to opportunities to support employee wellbeing – and provides a strong incentive to return to the office.
This year the NeoCon and Fulton Market experience included a broad range of outdoor furniture and accessories offering a full continuum of outdoor space solutions that encourage employees to get outside.
Approximately 55% of work is focused work. As employers work to bring people back to the office, providing space division within open plans along with assigned and unassigned spaces for focus work is essential.
NeoCon and Fulton Market highlighted innovative products and space ideas to support focused time, private conversation, and hybrid team connections.
Equally important to the return to the office is where and how hybrid work and team members are supported.
Showrooms highlighted innovative products and space design that help connect and support equity for on-site and remote team members when sharing, presenting, and collaborating.
As floorplate square footage shrinks, spaces need to adapt to changing individual and team needs throughout the day. Commercial furniture manufacturers understand this need by introducing and reimagining products that deliver.
- Storage and communication boards that also function for space division.
- Tables with casters to allow for quick workspace transformation
- Communication boards that transition from floor-based to storage cart to rail system, so you can bring your amazing ideas with you – in style.
Color, texture, and natural elements were evident and everywhere in The Mart and Fulton Market.
- Wood elements emphasized on sustainable design with a more residential feel to make spaces feel warm and welcoming
- Warm colors were used to highlight products and spaces within showrooms
- Sustainable materials with high recycled and recyclable content were at the forefront of design
- Textures gave products and screens a sense of dimension and interest to keep workers engaged and focused
Colors
Whether your road is paved with gold, hibiscus or amaranth, color leads the way to any design utopia. Color reflects your brand, punctuates your desire, evokes expression, and showcases your personality. It creates mood, supports focus, generates vibrancy and helps align settings with the people who use them.
Reseat is the first online marketplace for second-life office furniture with a mission to steer the industry toward a more sustainable, circular approach. Born from the creative thinking of industry veterans impacted and inspired by the pandemic, Reseat is dedicated to finding better places for used office furniture, other than the landfill.
The Best of NeoCon judges liked their story and mission, awarding them 3 Best of NeoCon awards:
Best of NeoCon Silver – Integrated Technology
Best of NeoCon Innovation Award – Integrated Solutions
Best of NeoCon Sustainability Award – Integrated Solutions
Overall, NeoCon 2022 felt like a confident step toward live events and the ongoing evolution of the workplace – and the products, materials, and accessories needed to support it.
LISTEN
Presenting highlights from NeoCon 2022, including key trends, showroom spotlights, and new and featured products. Attend our upcoming session for an overview of what stood out in Chicago!
NEOCON 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
LEARN
Articles from industry experts, influencers, and publications you might be interested in
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