CHICAGO -  NeoCon 2014 embraces the holistic approach to designing space, which is echoed in its theme, Place Matters. Nowhere else is this more evident than its exhibit floors on Seven and Eight where over 400 exhibitors will educate the audience and display new product offerings.

The NeoCon brand has been offering product solutions to the architecture and design community for more than 45 years and it has been the continued goal, year after year, to engage cutting-edge solution providers.

This year is no exception and brings a new energy and focus through an array of changes that will enhance the experience for all who attend this year’s show, from architects and designers to facility managers, real estate professionals, end users, and distributors.

First, NeoCon has reorganized the exhibit show floors of Seven and Eight to mirror the way that interior designers and architects work every day. This new floor plan, which allows for better space efficiency, space planning and expanded product offerings, will make greater sense to attendees. Floor Seven now features Furniture & Fabrics and Flooring while Floor Eight highlights new and emerging sections such as Technology, Interior Building Products, Interior Finishes & Materials and International Partnerships.

As Julie Amato Kohl, VP Exhibitor Sales explains, “The audience can now connect with product categories they work with every day in a more efficient way.” NeoCon 2014 will offer a spectacular display of new products in a format that also respects the tactical way that the A&D community specifies products.

Floor Seven will be home to some of the industry’s most respected flooring companies including Crossville, Tandus Centiva, American Biltrite, Bolon, Imola Ceramica and Tarkett. From products made in America to international influences from countries such as Italy and Sweden, the impressive section features a wide array of surfaces from porcelain tiles to resilient flooring to rugs. The rich offerings continue throughout Furniture & Fabrics with standouts across the vertical markets.

Examples include: Norix and Sunbrella Contract for Healthcare; Furniture Lab and Robert Allen Contract for Hospitality; TMC Furniture and Virco for Education; and Wilkhahn and Bold Furniture for Office, to name a few.

The re-organization adds product divisions that are crucial for thoughtful design. For instance, transparency and sound management were two of the must-have categories in order to keep up with current design trends.

The Interior Building Product section on Floor Eight will reflect this new thinking. Light and sound management have become critical to creating better space with wellness and sustainability in mind. MAARS Living Walls, AcoustiCAP, Snowsound by Atlantic, Infinium Wall Systems, Pilkington Glass, Atlas Sound, Lumicor, Asona-USA, Casca Glass, The Sliding Glass Door Co., and Construction Specialties are all new to NeoCon this year.

Each brand offers interior solutions that respond to the design challenge of creating open, light-filled workplaces that also address sound management. These solutions allow designers and architects to both capitalize on the movement to reduce real estate and construction costs and stick to high design principles.

NeoCon 2014 continues its longstanding partnership with Interior & Sources magazine in the Interior Finishes & Materials area, which will bring a unique curated experience to the section. With larger booths offering strong interior finish solutions, attendees will be delighted by the vast display of new materials. Exhibitors include CaesarStone, Chemetal, Tiger Leather, PPG Master Coatings, Island Stone, Area Environments, Universal Fibers, and DuPont Sorona. The pavilion will feature many new vendors, including some reclamation companies, such as Echo Wood, Reclaimed Table, and Rustbelt Reclamation.

One of the most popular areas on the temporary floors will be the growing technology section on Floor Eight with well-known brands such as Project Matrix, 20-20 Technologies, Configura, OFCdesk, ECi DDMS and Team-Design. They will be joined by new technology companies who offer much-needed advanced solutions, such as PinkCloud, SketchUp, Presentia, Seradex, and aircharge by ergo. Finally, the new International Partnerships area will offer a unique opportunity to explore innovative solutions by likes of Fursys, ASIS, Patra, ITOKI and Sunon, who are all standouts in this field.

Through these brands and their unique product offerings, manufacturing partners can take advantage of the availability of so many resources in one place. Partnerships can find distribution and connect original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to larger buying groups. NeoCon’s savvy audience understands the importance of global business and these companies offer insightful solutions. For a closer look at NeoCon by floor, visit www.neocon.com and click on the exhibitor listing. Interviews with 7th and 8th floor exhibitors and show management are available prior to, during, or after the show.

Registration for NeoCon 2014 (June 9-11, 2014 from 9AM-5PM) is required. Show Expo Online Registration by June 2: Free, Show Expo On-Site Registration: $25, Keynote Presentation: Free, CEU Seminar Pre-Registration: $55 each, CEU Seminar On-Site Registration: $65 each, Special Event Registration: Fees Vary.

 Vornado Realty Trust | Merchandise Mart, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, is a leading owner and operator of integrated showroom and office buildings, as well as trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together through market events, trade and consumer shows, and conferences each year. We are committed to creating sustainable environments in the properties we manage and the communities we serve. Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real-estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.