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Ahead of NeoCon 2026, organizers have announced a wave of showroom expansions, long-term lease renewals, returning brands and new exhibitors set to reshape this year’s event at The Mart.
Scheduled for June 8-10, 2026, with a Preview Day on June 7, NeoCon said the upcoming show will feature major investments from established brands, new permanent showrooms, a collaboration-focused installation on the 7th floor and the debut of Illuminate at NeoCon, a new lighting showcase featuring more than 50 brands.
“Each year we look for ways to support how the industry comes together,” said Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of leasing. “From expanded showrooms to new platforms for collaboration and product discovery, we’re continuing to enhance the NeoCon experience, building fresh opportunities for brands and attendees to connect and exchange ideas.”
New showrooms and showroom expansions
Among the most notable developments ahead of the 2026 edition are several new permanent showrooms opening in time for the event, including Formica Group, Nevers Industries, Slalom and Workrite.
Formica Group’s new permanent presence at The Mart marks a significant addition for the surfaces category.
“As a brand with more than a century of design heritage, Formica Group cares deeply about showing up for the design community, sharing new ideas and continuing to innovate alongside the industry,” said Meghan Howell, creative and design director, Formica Group North America. “Having a permanent home in The Mart allows us to do that in a more meaningful way.”
NeoCon also reported significant showroom expansions from brands including Calyx by Claridge, ClearSpace Design, HAT Collective, and Keilhauer, which is combining its space with Division Twelve.
“NeoCon has long been the global meeting place for the designers, innovators and creatives who make our industry great, and there’s no address more iconic than The Mart,” said Mike Keilhauer, CEO of Keilhauer. “With this substantial expansion of our showroom, bringing Keilhauer and Division Twelve together, Keilhauer has established a cornerstone at the heart of the industry.”
Calyx by Claridge also expanded its footprint substantially.
“After more than a decade of exhibiting at The Mart, Calyx by Claridge is proud to reinvest by extending our lease and tripling our floorplate,” said Beth McGrew, vice president of sales and marketing.
Renewals, relocations and returning brands
NeoCon said several exhibitors are relocating to refreshed spaces within The Mart ahead of the show, including CF Stinson + Arc-Com, Krug Furniture, Mayer Fabrics, OM Seating and Sedia Systems.
Long-term lease renewals were also announced for Emeco, Schiavello and Stance Healthcare.
In addition to permanent showroom activity, NeoCon 2026 will introduce specialty showcases on the 10th and 11th floors, including the return of former longtime tenants HBF, HBF Textiles and Neutral Posture, along with first-time exhibitors such as Haskell Education, Impact Acoustic, Memo and ACTIU.
Reimagined 7th floor to feature more than 200 companies
NeoCon’s 7th Floor Exhibit Hall is being reworked into a more intuitive, category-driven layout designed to improve product discovery and navigation.
The floor will feature immersive showcases and branded experiences from more than 200 companies, including returning exhibitors such as AHF Products, Assa Abloy, Benjamin Moore, Configura, Emu, Mockett, NARDI and SnapCab, as well as first-time participants including Airiia, Emma Hayes, Fenabel, Hanan Sotelo, Lignotrend, Lucca House, Metall Furniture, Revigres and The Wood Veneer Hub.
A centerpiece of the floor will be the new Collab Space, a 2,800-square-foot hospitality-driven installation designed by Charlie Greene Studio. Inspired by “Chicagohenge,” the installation is intended to showcase collaborative design through product integration, materiality and immersive brand storytelling.
“We’re so excited to share an experience that’s quintessentially Chicago with NeoCon attendees: Chicagohenge,” said Jason Hall, founder and creative director of Charlie Greene Studio.
NeoCon launches dedicated lighting platform
A major addition for 2026 is Illuminate at NeoCon, a new show-within-a-show dedicated to architectural, technical and decorative lighting.
The platform will feature more than 50 lighting brands and is designed to position lighting as a central element of architecture and interior design. Participating companies include ALW (Architectural Lighting Works), Axis Lighting, Axolight, Barn Light Electric, Estiluz, Focal Point, Juniper, lightly, Marset, PureEdge Lighting and USAI.
“Illuminate signals a meaningful new chapter for NeoCon, one that places lighting design at the center of the conversation,” said Adrian Howitt, vice president and general manager of Fluxwerx Illumination.
Teresa Navarro, sales manager for Estiluz, added, “There is an unmatched energy that takes over The Mart during NeoCon. This is a new experience for us, and we are incredibly excited to be a part of it.”
NeoCon 2026 to bring together 50,000 professionals
NeoCon said this year’s event is expected to bring together 50,000 design professionals and more than 450 brands, along with educational programming, tours, workshops and special events.
The show is open to trade professionals, C-suite executives and other qualified industry attendees. Registration is free.
