I remember the first time I walked into THE MART, the hub of the commercial furnishings industry. It was for my first NeoCon, more than 25 years ago, and I was sent by The Grand Rapids Press to cover the West Michigan companies at the show. Though I had been to Chicago many, many times, none of my previous trips brought me to THE MART.

I was in awe from the moment I spotted the iconic building. It was massive. It was packed with people. I was in heaven. Despite countless visits since. I still get butterflies when I walk in on the first day of NeoCon. The market may be changing with a handful of brands moving to Fulton Market, but THE MART still holds a special place in my heart.

Those early years, I was more interested in products than I was in the people who attend NeoCon. Now, it is the other way around. I love turning a corner or jumping into a packed elevator and running into industry friends. Don’t get me wrong: THE MART still rules when it comes to new products and innovative ideas for the office.

It has become fashionable in recent years to downplay THE MART’s role in our industry, especially as companies move to new showrooms across the city. But it could be argued that THE MART put our industry on the map. At a minimum, THE MART gave the industry the stage to really shine. And that continues today.

The building itself has gone through remarkable changes in recent years. In fact, it looks better than I’ve ever seen it. Marshall’s Landing has transformed into the industry’s front porch, especially during NeoCon when you can find hundreds of people sitting on the stairs eating a quick lunch while chatting with friends or taking in a keynote address on the big screen. And the drive along the river side of the building, which used to be a pedestrian nightmare during the show, has become our industry’s front yard where we host parties and take in the warm June sunshine.

Amenity spaces are more plentiful. Elevators are cleaner and more inviting. The food options have grown. And even the Holiday Inn (and now the voco Chicago Downtown) hotel has been spruced up. The River North neighborhood, which has always had its share of good hotels and restaurants, has even more to offer, especially as the Chicago River Walk continues to expand.

In today’s issue of officeinsight magazine, you will find the quarterly magazine we publish with THE MART, Converge. In today’s issue, our feature takes a look at how THE MART continues to evolve and how it is attracting more dealers and independent reps not only to NeoCon, but as a place to host meetings and events throughout the year, including the INDEAL Champion Conference. The Champion Conference will bring more than 130 dealers, dealer designers and manufacturers to THE MART for its annual event — the first time it will be held in Chicago.

I understand the allure of Fulton Market. It is the hot neighborhood in Chicago and for some brands, it makes sense to be there. But to me, it doesn’t have the impact and wow factor of THE MART. I enjoy the showrooms in Fulton Market, but I don’t get excited to be there in the same way I do when I walk up to THE MART.

Kudos to the team at THE MART for continuing to provide a stage and spotlight for so many brands in our industry.