More than 19,000 architects, designers, facility managers, purchasing executives, and others made their way to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the two-day event. The 300-plus exhibitors in this year’s show provided an expanded display of everything from floor coverings, to health care furnishings, to landscape and planting services.

Traditionally, educational seminars have been considered a key strength for NeoCon West, and this year’s programs did not disappoint. Design seminars focusing on health care, hospitality, office space, institutions, and other topics spanned the two-day gathering. Among the most popular segments were Technology Drives Office Design, a case study on the work environment at Sun Microsystems; Strategies for Selling Environmentally Sustainable Design to Your Clients; and Making Feng Shui Work for You, a look at practical applications for better living and working environments.

The far-reaching umbrella of “interior design” covers all manner of manufacturer, from furniture to wall coverings to signage and electronic directories. Some, but not all, of the floor covering companies who exhibited this year include: Atlas Carpet Mills; Durkan Commercial Carpet; Lees Carpets; Monterey Carpets Inc.; Solutia Inc.; Shaw Contract; Lonseal; and Collins&Aikman.

For the third consecutive year, NeoCon West expanded to record-setting size. The excitement the show generates should ensure its continued popularity well into the new millennium.