Expanded program reveals design breakthroughs in sustainability, innovation, business impact, and lighting
From next-generation workplace solutions and sustainable materials to breakthrough lighting innovations and integrated technologies, the winners of the 36th annual Best of NeoCon Awards reflect a commitment to intentional, human-centered design. Revealed yesterday at The Mart as part of NeoCon 2026, the awards recognize products that exemplify excellence in design, performance, innovation, and user experience within the built environment.
Since 1990, the Best of NeoCon Awards has served as a definitive benchmark for commercial design excellence, commending solutions that advance how people work, learn, heal, connect, and experience space. This year’s edition received 274 entries from 97 NeoCon exhibitors. A total of 71 products were awarded across 42 categories, including expanded lighting classifications introduced in conjunction with the debut of Illuminate at NeoCon. Honors were awarded for Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability, and Business Impact, with the competition’s highest distinction—Best of Competition—presented to KI for Cognetic Technology.
A multidisciplinary jury of approximately 45 leading architects, designers, facility managers, end users, and industry decision-makers—including leaders from CannonDesign, Gensler, HDR, HKS, HOK, Marmon Mok, Northwestern Mutual, Shepley Bulfinch, State Farm, and Walgreens—convened on-site at The Mart this past weekend to evaluate submissions throughout the show floors. An additional panel of business journalists and facility management professionals determined the Business Impact Awards. See the full jury list here.
“The breadth of this year’s nominees demonstrates how dynamically NeoCon exhibitors are designing for the human experience and responding to real-world challenges with solutions that thoughtfully balance aesthetics and performance,” said Eileen McMorrow, Director of Best of NeoCon. “From meaningful advancements in workplace, healthcare, hospitality, education, and lighting, the ingenuity and innovation celebrated by the competition are always exciting to see. In particular, the introduction of Illuminate brought a new layer of energy and brilliance to NeoCon, showcasing how vital lighting is to human wellness and the architectural narrative. Collectively, the winners represent a commitment to creating more responsive, resilient, well-being-driven, and people-first spaces.”
View the full list of 2026 winners at neocon.com/awards/best-of-neocon.
NeoCon will reveal the five People’s Choice winners on Wednesday, June 10, during the BIFMA Breakfast and on the show’s official social media channels.
About NeoCon
NeoCon is the world’s leading platform and most important event for the commercial interiors industry, held each year at The Mart in Chicago. Since launching in 1969, NeoCon has served as the annual gathering place for the commercial design world’s manufacturers, dealers, architects, designers, end users, design organizations, and media. The three-day event showcases game-changing products and services from more than 400 leading and emerging companies, providing unparalleled access to the latest and most innovative solutions. A robust educational program of keynote presentations and CEU sessions offers world-class expertise and insight into today’s most relevant topics as well as the future of commercial design.
