Under the theme ‘Where Design Connects,’ visionaries will explore purpose-driven innovation, strategic foresight, and creative resilience
Registration for NeoCon 2026 officially opens on Tuesday, February 3, at NeoCon.com. Hosted at The Mart in Chicago June 8–10, with a Preview Day on June 7, the event stands as the world’s premier platform for commercial design. Guided by the 2026 theme, “Where Design Connects,” the show will serve as an important nexus for the people, products, and perspectives driving the industry forward.
Headlining this year’s 57th edition are three provocative keynote presenters: entrepreneur and inventor Jessica O. Matthews, futurist Nick Foster, and digital prophet David “Shingy” Shing. Kicking off each day of the show, these diverse voices will inspire the NeoCon community with insights on innovation, foresight, and creative resilience.
Adding to this year’s expansive offerings is the debut of Illuminate at NeoCon, a new “show-within-a-show” spotlighting the critical role of lighting in the built environment.
Keynote speakers and addresses
Find Your Fight: The Power of Taking it Personally, by Jessica O. Matthews
Monday, June 8, 10–10:45 a.m. CDT
(Presented by IIDA)
Award-winning entrepreneur, inventor, and energy advocate Jessica O. Matthews will kick off NeoCon 2026 by examining how the most transformative innovations emerge when the impact is personal. Drawing from nearly two decades of work at the intersection of infrastructure and social impact, Matthews will unlock the power of a human-centered lens—and how purpose-driven pressure can spark breakthrough ideas.
Best known for inventing an energy-generating soccer ball at age 19 and founding Uncharted Power, Matthews has spent her career reimagining how energy and infrastructure can better serve communities more equitably. Now the founder and CEO of O. Labs, an invention studio dedicated to expanding access to innovation, she will invite the NeoCon community to rethink who innovation is for, how ideas move from concept to action, and how personal motivation can drive meaningful impact.
“Innovation isn’t just a process—it’s a fight,” said Matthews. “Like in any fight, when the stakes are personal, the innovation is more powerful. At NeoCon, I’m excited to share how taking it personally turns pressure into purpose and challenges into breakthroughs.”
Resetting How We Think About the Future, by Nick Foster
Tuesday, June 9, 10–10:45 a.m. CDT
(Presented by ASID)
Notable Royal Designer for Industry—Britain’s highest accolade for a designer—and former Head of Design at Google X, Nick Foster is set to challenge assumptions about what’s ahead, evaluating the power of imagination, technology, and the human experience. Leaning on decades of work with the world’s most influential technology companies and his “Future Mundane” philosophy, Foster reframes the future not as a distant abstraction, but as an extension of the present––designed by people, for people.
His address will dismantle conventional narratives of progress, offering frameworks to strengthen foresight, expand perspectives, and navigate the future with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
“Our collective ability to conceptualize what’s next with depth and rigor remains underdeveloped,” said Foster. “Rather than forecasting outcomes, I want to offer a moment of intentional pause to help the NeoCon community become better critics and creators, as we all tackle the overwhelming tide of uncertainty that lies ahead.”
Designing for an Evolving World, by David Shing
Wednesday, June 10, 9:30–10:30 a.m. CDT
(Presented by BIFMA)
Creative advisor and cultural strategist David “Shingy” Shing will close NeoCon 2026, exploring how exponential technology and cultural acceleration are redefining the way people live, work, and connect. Formerly AOL’s “Digital Prophet,” Shingy is celebrated for decoding cultural signals and translating them into actionable strategies for brands and organizations leading rapid transformation.
Tapping into his work across marketing, media, design, and technology, Shingy will unpack how organizations and design systems can keep pace with change, ensuring relevance in a world where yesterday’s breakthroughs quickly become baseline expectations.
“Every era normalizes what once felt impossible,” he said. “This talk is about helping designers and leaders build the creative and cultural readiness to evolve with accelerating technology—without losing the human core that makes design meaningful.”
Keynotes will be delivered live onsite and will also be available for streaming on NeoCon.com. Show registration is free for all attendees. To register, click here. Programming registration for keynotes, featured presentations, continuing education units (CEUs), workshops, NeoCon Talks, and Inside Design tours will open on April 1. You must be registered as an attendee first to add special sessions to your schedule.
About NeoCon
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. The event is held each year at The Mart in Chicago, the largest privately held commercial building in the United States. It encompasses 4.2 million gross square feet, spans two city blocks, and rises 25 stories.
