Best of NeoCon
Celebrating Innovation and Design Excellence
NeoCon has been the premier event for the commercial interior design industry since its launch in 1969 at The Mart in Chicago. Over more than five decades, the annual conference has evolved into a global destination where architects, interior designers, manufacturers, dealers, facility managers, and end-users gather to discover the latest workplace, healthcare, education, hospitality, and public space innovations. In addition to hundreds of product introductions and educational sessions, NeoCon is known for celebrating excellence through its prestigious Best of NeoCon Awards. Established in 1990, the awards program has become one of the industry's most respected benchmarks, recognizing outstanding product design, innovation, sustainability, and business impact across a wide range of commercial furnishing categories.
A defining element of the Best of NeoCon program is its rigorous juror process. Products submitted by exhibiting companies are evaluated on-site over two days before the official opening of NeoCon. For the 2026 awards, 45 jurors - including leading architects, interior designers, facility managers, specifiers, end-users, and business media professionals - carefully examined each entry firsthand. Jurors assess products based on innovation, functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and overall contribution to the built environment, with specialized awards for Innovation, Sustainability, Business Impact, and Best of Competition honors. This multidisciplinary evaluation ensures that winning products have been reviewed by experts representing a broad spectrum of commercial design sectors, reinforcing the credibility and prestige of the awards.
The 2026 Best of NeoCon Awards showcased another impressive year of product innovation, with 274 entries submitted by 97 exhibitors across 42 categories. A total of 71 products received Gold or Silver recognition, reflecting advancements in workplace, education, healthcare, hospitality, and public space design. The coveted Best of Competition honor was awarded to KI for its Cognetic Technology, recognized for redefining seating performance through adaptive technology integrated into the Kiaura Collection. The expanded awards program also highlighted new lighting categories introduced alongside Illuminate at NeoCon, demonstrating the show's continued evolution as commercial interiors embrace integrated lighting solutions and emerging technologies. Together, the 2026 winners represent the industry's ongoing commitment to thoughtful design, sustainability, user experience, and innovation that shapes the future of commercial environments.
Interested in reading more about the 2026 Best of NeoCon awards? Check out the list of winners here.
EXPLORING THE IIDA CAREER CENTER
The IIDA Career Center is a great source for design industry jobs and connects employers with thousands of highly engaged professionals, including IIDA members, nonmembers, and institutions
So, what are the benefits for IIDA members?
1. Discounts: Members (companies, firms, universities, individuals) receive discounted postings for job opportunities and complimentary internship postings.
2. Resume Guidance: Level up your career game with confidence through top-notch resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn services that will make you stand out from the crowd.
3. Career Advice: Receive guidance through articles and blog posts for every step of your career - everything from personal branding to networking, resumes & cover letters.
4. Career Insights: The insights tool allows you to review data surrounding compensation, education, skills, employment and more that will help you plan your career.
5. Career Coaching: Partner with a professional coach to receive unbiased, clear advice on how to achieve your goals and elevate your profile in the industry.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to check in with the IIDA New England event calendar for upcoming events offered in our community. Here's a sneak peek at some upcoming events:
IIDA NE 5th Annual Block Party // Wednesday, July 22
IIDA NE Coffee and Conversation // Thursday, July 23
IIDA NE 23rd Annual Croquet Tournament // Thursday, July 30
IIDA NE Sunset Social Cruise on the Harbor // Thursday, August 13
IIDA NE Farm to Table Sustainability Event // Wednesday, August 19
Designer Monologues the Podcast from IIDA New England with your host Brett Berry is officially LIVE! On this show, we share the stories behind the design of repurposing, developing, and reshaping our communities. Incubated from the minds and skills of New England’s talented design community, you’ll hear how visual inspiration can come from nature, our history, current trends, and more as we take you on a story-telling journey behind design.
Check out all of the episodes here!
Stay tuned for the next President's Message in June!
Do you have an idea that you would like to share with the design community or see highlighted here in The Wire? Share your ideas here.
Built on Shared Values: Momentum and B+N are united by a focus on delighting customers and the power of design to transform. We both serve clients who care deeply about brand, function, and impact — and we deliver with integrity, creativity, and service they can trust. This is a launchpad for bold growth, powered by clarity and collaboration.
Follow IIDA New England on social media and visit our website to keep up with the latest and greatest!
