With a focus on the “future of experience,” IIDA returns to this year's NeoCon with a lineup of keynotes, panels, roundtables, and celebrations to empower its global membership — and the commercial interior design industry at large — to shape the future direction of the built environment. The NeoCon conference is held annually at The Mart (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza) in downtown Chicago, with IIDA programming starting Sunday, June 9, leading into the three-day conference taking place from Monday, June 10 to Wednesday, June 12.

“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, IIDA is focused on the future of the design profession and the design industry, as well as the continuous evolution of our growing, vibrant design community — a story 30 years in the making,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “For NeoCon 2024, IIDA is sharing knowledge and expertise, as well as a vision of where we are headed next as an industry, through the lens of human experience and design’s innate connection to and impact on humanity. From the contagious enthusiasm of our youngest cohort of designers to the leaders and visionaries of the moment, we are creating the future of design in real time — and we invite you to be a part of the journey.”

Those attending NeoCon have a range of IIDA events to take part in, while certain events will be held primarily for its members. Programming includes:

Sunday, June 9:

Jurying of 20th Annual IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition: The IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition at NeoCon honors original interior design and the visual impact of permanent NeoCon showrooms, temporary booths, and pop-up exhibitors with an emphasis on the innovative use of product, materials, space, color, texture, and environmental graphics. Entries will be reviewed onsite by a jury of influential design leaders and specifiers from the commercial interior design industry. All winning spaces will be on exhibit throughout the show. Submissions open March 1; submissions due May 31. Time: Winning spaces will be exhibited throughout the show.

IIDA 2024 Annual Meeting: The IIDA Annual Meeting is a yearly gathering for IIDA members to celebrate and connect in-person. Presented by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, along with outgoing International Board of Directors President Ronnie Belizaire, FIIDA, the program includes the induction of the 2024 IIDA College of Fellows, 2023-24 International Board, and the presentation of the IIDA International Honors and Awards. IIDA Members only. Time: 12 p.m. CST. Location: Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave.

Revel in Design: IIDA’s Black-tie Event: IIDA’s annual black-tie event is hosted by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, and features prominent international interior designers and global design manufacturers gathering to celebrate the design industry. The evening of powerhouse networking, delectable dining, and revelry honors the winners of the 50th Annual Interior Design Competition and the 31th Annual Will Ching Design Competition. Individual tickets will go on sale Spring 2024. Time: 7 p.m. CST. Location: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl.

Monday, June 10:

NeoCon Monday Keynote: Leveraging the Power of Storytelling in Commercial Design: The last few years have tested the limits of cities and built environments across the globe, leaving people and their communities with an urgent need for a return to vibrancy and experiences they can enjoy and remember together. Today, storytelling in design has become a top priority for clients and their stakeholders, as well as our own aspirations as creators. In his more than 30 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis created story-driven experiences in every Disney property around the world. In his keynote, Weis will share insights and visuals to demonstrate how the new global Gensler Entertainment practice is bringing storytelling to the forefront and strategy of new projects, engaging clients to think differently about how stories and experiences form valuable anchors in successful projects. His talk will demonstrate how creatives can use this magical tool to bring vibrancy to everyday places and spaces. IIDA’s Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA will introduce Weis and lead the Q&A session. Registration available to NeoCon attendees on NeoCon.com starting April 3. Time: 10 a.m. CST. Location: NeoCon Presentation Studio, The Mart, 2nd Floor

Collective Design LIVE: The Future of Experience: IIDA’s Collective Design LIVE series brings together top minds in design who approach experiential design through a variety of lenses, from neuroscience to hospitality to future forecasting. Panelists will include: Upali Nanda, Global Practice Director, Research, and Partner at HKS; Lauren Rottet, FIIDA, President and Founding Principal, Rottet Studios; Gensler’s Global Leader of Hospitality, Lori Mukoyama, and Brian Graham, IIDA, Founder and Creative Director, Graham Design. Moderated by Mark Bryan, IIDA, Senior Foresight Manager, Future Today Institute. Registration available to NeoCon attendees on NeoCon.com starting April 3. Time: 11:30 a.m. CST. Location: NeoCon Presentation Studio, The Mart, 2nd Floor

Meet Us On Monday: IIDA’s Celebration on The Stairs: IIDA recognizes design’s young talent on The Mart Grand Stair with a high-energy afternoon that includes a mini-documentary screening featuring IIDA’s Design Your World pathway program and its success in building grassroots diversity in design; a celebration of IIDA’s and discussion with design leaders, IIDA scholarship winners, and industry partners, presented by IIDA EVP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. No registration required. Time: 3 p.m. CST. Location: The Grand Stair/Marshall’s Landing, The Mart, 2nd Floor

IIDA’s 30th Anniversary Toast: IIDA will commemorate 30 years as the commercial design organization at Marshall’s Landing and raise a glass to salute three decades of dedication to design and designers with IIDA EVP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. No registration required. Time: 4:30 p.m. CST. Location: The Grand Stair/Marshall’s Landing, The Mart, 2nd Floor

Tuesday, June 11

NeoCon Tuesday Keynote: The Power of Affirmation: British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori will discuss how he harnesses diverse mediums of design as a catalyst to tell stories, using creativity as a language to celebrate cultural identities. Ilori will also give insight into how these tenets can be incorporated into the modern workplace, examining it through the lens of his electrifying new collection for Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering. Moderated by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, and ASID CEO, Khoi Vo. Registration available to NeoCon attendees on NeoCon.com starting April 3. Time: 1 p.m. CST. Location: NeoCon Presentation Studio, The Mart, 2nd Floor

For more information on IIDA programming during NeoCon or to register for select events, click here.