NeoCon Experience
A Day at NeoCon

People

More than 50,000 trade professionals attend NeoCon annually to represent their brand, cross trends and to celebrate interior space through numerous mediums. With ASID as your key networking tool, you can connect with others in your profession who have a unique focus and design specialty, expanding your knowledge and resources within the design field. Where residential and commercial interiors meet as one force, the industry becomes reenergized through NeoCon.

Products

Be exposed to all NeoCon has to offer when you come to the ASID National Conference. Encompassing 1.2 million square feet of exhibition space on 10 floors, NeoCon hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing thousands of new product introductions. Here are just a few of the interior furnishings and services you’ll be exposed to at NeoCon: architectural products, artwork and accessories, building products and services, fabric, floor coverings, furniture, kitchen and bath, lighting, outdoor furniture, stone and tile, technology, textiles and wall coverings. With thousands to choose from, and countless practice areas to find inspiration from, you’ll leave with a wealth of tools and ideas for your next great project.

Accommodations

As an ASID member, you’ll have preferred accommodations at the official ASID host hotel, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Located within walking distance of the Merchandise Mart and several other attractions, the Sheraton will be your gateway to an exciting and rewarding NeoCon and Chicago experience. Each morning, you’ll wake up at the Sheraton to a NeoCon Show Daily delivered to your room. The daily will give you a run-down of the day’s events, and what to expect from your day at the conference.

After enjoying a free cup of coffee in the hotel lobby, you’ll be able to walk to the Mart along the beautiful waterfront of the Chicago River. Once you arrive at the Mart, the ASID booth is a great place to meet up with ASID friends from other chapters. ASID staff members will also be there to answer questions, hand out SWAG and provide information about exclusive ASID events throughout the conference.

Learning

Each morning at NeoCon, a featured keynote speaker will start off the day with inspiring remarks. Afterward, you can select up to five CEUs, being held between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., including an ASID Association Forum, a can’t-miss learning event planned by the Society. No matter your practice area, NeoCon’s got you covered. We’ll even recommend the ASID select sessions, in categories ranging from health care design to professional development.

ASID also offers two experiential learning tours on each day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The tours will explore Chicago’s many unique offerings, allowing you to think outside the classroom. Be sure to work them into your educational experience for an unforgettable, hands-on adventure!

**The Education and Learning page will have the scoop on all of the available educational tracks and tours as the show gets closer.**

Networking

After a thought-filled morning and afternoon, you’ll spend your evenings mingling with other ASID members and NeoCon attendees at NeoCon’s many networking opportunities. From group dinners and speaker presentations to the official ASID awards party, every evening at the ASID National Conference at NeoCon offers a chance to unwind and make new connections.

**Visit the Networking and Events page for more information about networking at NeoCon.**

The Mart

Your NeoCon experience wouldn't be complete without Chicago's design landmark, The Merchandise Mart. In addition to your scheduled educational and social events, The Mart provides a chance to see more than 1,200 exhibitors, featuring the latest and greatest products and services.

While you are at The Mart, take a look at the ASID Student Awards competition winners and chat with ASID student members at the Wi-Fi equipped Student Lounge. Also, stop by the B Dalton Bookstore. The Bookstore will feature books signings with seminar and conference speakers.

ASID has something for you in every aspect of the NeoCon experience. This is your chance to participate in exciting ASID events, engage in unique learning opportunities and to network with colleagues from across all practice types and design specialties. ASID brings Design to Chicago at NeoCon 2009.

**Read more on ASID Chapter Involvement.**

Make It Your Experience

GREENlife
A challenge for students to showcase their creativity and understanding of sustainability, by transforming their college campuses. 

Light!
For the first time ever, a pavilion will be dedicated to the newest trends in the lighting field through the trade expo Light! See innovation at its brightest at Light!, which features lighting exhibits, educational sessions and a lighting-specific keynote speaker. 

The Stone & Title Pavilion
Bringing together all that encompasses the stone and tile aspect of design, The Architectural Stone & Tile Pavilion is a must see. Speak with experts while you browse the display of the latest trends and products which can be utilized in any project.