2011 Special Exhibits & Attractions

Bloggers Jungle

The Merchandise Mart, 7th Floor, Suite 7-1065

Sit,relax and stay on top of the hot events taking place at Neocon. Bloggers Jungle will be a hot spot for some of the industries' top web publications, such as Archinect, Archinnovations, Contemporist, InHabitat and Otto-Otto who will be covering the show on-site from this very location. Make sure to check out the NeoCon Live portion of NeoCon.com for the news feeds, before, during and after NeoCon.  

BreakPoint Books

The Merchandise Mart, 7th Floor, Suite 7-1029

BreakPoint Books will be hosting an onsite bookstore the NeoCon. BreakPoint Books will carry titles authored by the conference speakers, and will feature titles on Interior Design, Green Building, Architecture resources & much more. Stop by to browse and network with other conference attendees at the NeoCon Bookstore, brought to you by BreakPoint Books!

Chicago: Taste of the Town

Looking for a great restaurant during your stay in Chicago? From the hippest new hot-spot, to the classic, old-world eateries, to a quick lunch meeting locale—check out the annual restaurant guide by Metropolis, Chicago: Taste of the Town. Since 1998 the fun, pocket guide has been an essential tool for helping NeoCon attendees navigate the Chicago restaurant scene. Pick up your copy at NeoCon or visit metropolismag.com/taste.

Contract Connection Lounge

Market Suites, 8th Floor, 8-8122

• Best of NeoCon 2011 winners’ presentation
• Best of NeoCon products and furnishings
• Contract Connected

Furniture Revolution Gallery

Market Suites, 7th Floor, Suite 7-2014

In keeping with the NeoCon tradition of opening its doors to well-seasoned and fledging designers alike, we are excited to announce the second running of the Furniture Revolution Gallery. The Furniture Revolution Gallery will provide a platform for the designs of students and up-and-coming young designers just out of school. 

 For more information on The Furniture Revolution Gallery.

Antonio Larosa, a highly regarded designer, educator and recognized authority of bthe furniture industry, is the Project Chair of the Furniture Revolution Gallery.

Sponsored by:

Glimmer- How design can transform your life and maybe even the World Featuring the ideas and wisdom of design visionary Bruce Mau.

Merchandise Mart, 7th Floor, Suite 7-1038

This exhibit will take visitors on a journey through today's fascinating world of design, where the formerly distinct principles of graphic, product and social design are undergoing "smart recombinations." In the cutting-edge studios of Mau and other visionaries, everything is ripe for re-invention. Using examples from this bestselling book by author Warren Berger, the Glimmer exhibit shares examples of new theories being developed about "design thinking:" what it is, how it works and what it can accomplish.

Sponsored by and curated by magazine.

GSA Internet Lounge

The Merchandise Mart, 8th Floor, Suite 1031

Take a break from the hectic days at NeoCon and stop by the show's GSA Internet Lounge. Relax in comfortable furnishings while checking your e-mail or browsing the Web.  Questions regarding federal government furniture procurements, or on how to do business with the federal government?  Speak with acquisition and business development professionals from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

Green Spot and Sustainability Timeline

The Merchandise Mart, 1st Floor

The Green Product Gallery and education center showcases new, innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly products from our showroom partners. Also featured is the sustainability timeline, which celebrates many of the accomplishments of The Merchandise Mart, our showroom partners and the City of Chicago. Addressing global environmental challenges, the display highlights the product innovations, research findings and events of the last several decades that reduce our environmental footprint and make the world a better place to live. To learn more about all the green initiatives in place at The Merchandise Mart, please visit www.mmart.com.

Herman Miller Lounge 

The Merchandise Mart, 1st Floor, South Lobby

"People are important, not furniture. Furniture should be useful. The room is primary. It must be planned for the people who are to live there." 
— Gilbert Rohde, 1931

Herman Miller invites you to relax, refresh and recharge in the Herman Miller Lounge in the south lobby of the Merchandise Mart. 

Interiors & Sources Materials Pavilion at NeoCon

The Merchandise Mart, 8th Floor, Suite 3130

The materials you choose for furniture and interiors can make or break a project. Durability, sustainability, economy, availability and, of course, design and form compatibility are all factors, but gathering the information you need is often difficult.

In the Materials Pavilion you’ll find hundreds of material samples displayed side-by-side, with details on their origin, makeup and recommended applications. This experiential, educational exhibit is curated by design historian and materials specialist Grace Jeffers, and populated with the help of Material Intelligence.

The Pavilion will be hosting and sponsoring presentations and throughout NeoCon. We invite you to visit, browse, ask questions and get inspired!

Seeyond

The Merchandise Mart, 1^st Floor, North Lobby

Imagination Delivered.

Let your imagination wander as you enter the Seeyond™ experience. See two freestanding curved walls that mingle form with function, and that reset all the standards for architectural specialty features. Select from freestanding walls, ceiling clouds, wall facings or column wraps – all are self structuring. Customize or brand any feature. Our comprehensive solution integrates the process of design, manufacturing and installation. So make your design vision a reality. With confidence. More info at: www.seeyond.com

Stephen Viscusi

The Merchandise Mart, 8th Floor, Suite 1131

With social media in the movies, on your computer and in your mind, come meet “America’s Workplace Guru,” Stephen Viscusi in person (the old-fashioned way) and learn how social networking can improve your career. Today’s technology offers more non-traditional ways to look for a job and boost your profession. Sites such as LinkedIn, Jigsaw and Facebook can open new avenues for networking and job opportunities. Stop by and learn a few social networking tips from Stephen, who will be available each day from 10AM-4PM. Viscusi is CEO and founder of The Viscusi Group, an executive search company. The Viscusi Group is the only headhunter to guarantee every placement for 2 YEARS, exclusively for MMPI tenants. For more information, visit www.viscusigroup.com and follow Stephen on Twitter @workplaceguru.

Student Project Display

Merchandise Mart, 10th Floor West Corridor

View the future of interior design from the next generation of designers from local interior design and architecture schools. Projects include innovative environments from commercial to residential, hospitality to retail.