While NeoCon 2013, held recently at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, saw only a slight increase in attendance—41,488 people this year compared to 40,947 at last year’s event—the show was full of energy, optimism and crowded halls. Several exhibitors commented they hadn’t seen the nation’s largest commercial market this busy in years.
Taking a cue from the renewed optimism and hope in the crowd, manufacturers took more risks this year in the products on display.