NeoCon 2008 Attracts Over 50,000 To The Windy City

The 40th annual NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, North America’s largest conference and exhibition for interior design and facilities management at The Merchandise Mart Chicago, attracted approximately 50,500 attendees from around the world. However, this represented a 4% dip from the previous year's show.

“This year’s NeoCon proved that the furniture industry is strong and is investing heavily in new product introductions,” said Mark Falanga, senior vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). “With only a slight dip, NeoCon’s attendance was still up 15% from 2005, which is very impressive. With more than 1,200 exhibitors and 352 Best of NeoConNeoCon has remained the show for the industry.”

Leaders from throughout the contract industry commented on NeoCon 2008, hosted from June 9-11:

“Our industry has seen an amazing amount of change in the four decades since the first NeoCon fair. NeoCon and The Merchandise Mart have provided a stable anchor in the midst of this change, ” said Jim Hackett, President and CEO of Steelcase.

“NeoCon has played a vital role in the evolution of the workplace and the growth of our industry. Herman Miller's Action Office was publicly introduced at that first NeoCon, and the years since have proven the event continues to be North America's premier showcase for innovative, problem solving design, " offered Brian Walker, CEO of Herman Miller.

“Traffic is very strong this year. We’ve had a terrific response from buyers and sellers,” commented Peter Brunelle, President and CEO of Inscape.

In addition to the showroom, NeoCon assembles groups of industry experts, leaders, and innovators to provide insight into different areas to keep attendees on the cutting edge of their industries. This year’s line up of keynote speakers included: Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., environmentalist and author of the New York Times bestseller Crimes Against Nature; and Scott Wilson, former Global Creative Director at Nike and Design Director at Motorola.

Next year's NeoCon World’s Trade Fair will be held June 15-17, 2009, at The Merchandise Mart.

FRIDAY FUNNY: Rainn Predicted for HON Showroom During NeoCon

The HON Company’s Chicago office furniture showroom will have a well-known “Office” visitor on Monday, June 9, 2008 during the NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair. Rainn Wilson, best know for his current role as eccentric paper salesman, “Dwight Schrute,” on NBC’s Emmy award-winning series, The Office, makes a day-long appearance in HON’s Showroom in Suite 1130 in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

Wilson, one of the most recognizable faces from the network’s “must see TV” Thursday lineup, will appear in the HON showroom from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. at NeoCon. During this time, fans will have the opportunity to meet Wilson and obtain autographs and photos. NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair is the largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design industry in North America.

“From several notable and exciting product launches to Rainn’s appearance on Monday, The HON Company showroom is a ’must see’ stop on any NeoCon visitor’s agenda,” says Don Mead, The HON Company’s vice president of marketing. “Rainn and The HON Company are a perfect fit. HON is one of the largest contract furnishings manufacturers in the United States. Rainn is one of the most popular characters, not only on The Office, but on prime-time TV,” said Mead. “Who better to help us roll out our new products at this year’s show? We’re excited he is able to join us in Chicago while we introduce a number of innovative, new products to the contract design community. We’re certain NeoCon 2008 will be HON’s best show yet.”

Before joining the cast of The Office, Wilson first gained positive acclaim from television fans and critics alike as somber mortician’s apprentice “Arthur Martin” on HBO’s Emmy-winning series, Six Feet Under. He has also guest-starred on other television programs and has a number of film credits to his name, including a hilarious cameo in the Oscar-winning film, Juno.