Plans for the 13th edition of NeoCon East, taking place Oct. 28 and 29, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, are well under way.

NeoCon East will be partnering with International Interior Design Association (IIDA), as well as regional chapters including IIDA PA/NJ/DE and American Institute of Architects (AIA) Philadelphia to offer programming and regional networking events and opportunities. In addition, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will be adding to the richness of the show for a second year in a row, this time bringing its Specify With Care cause-related marketing program to the exhibition floor.

“Philadelphia’s regional design associations are some of the strongest in the U.S.," said Julie Kohl, vice president of sales for NeoCon East. "What better way to start off our first year in a new city than by connecting with the local A & D community through its highly active industry organizations. We’re pleased to be hitting the ground running by partnering with them and DIFFA in creative and engaging ways. These relationships reinforce our standing as an important industry show with strong roots in the GSA/Government community and an increasingly powerful influence across all the key commercial vertical markets that converge at NeoCon Chicago.”

AIA Philadelphia is co-locating its annual Design on the Delaware Conference at the show. According to show organizers, the event brings together 300 principal-level architects from the Greater Philadelphia region and will offer 32 programs, three general sessions, 12 tours and a design charrette at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. NeoCon East attendees can take full advantage of these event offerings. Accordingly, Design on the Delaware attendees will have complete access to the NeoCon East exhibit hall, as well as keynotes, seminars and CEUs. In addition, AIA Philadelphia will host the official NeoCon East bookstore and have a booth on the show floor.

"Our partnership with NeoCon East is a win-win, expanding the diversity of programs available to Design on the Delaware attendees and vice versa," said Pat Gourley, AIA Philadelphia’s managing director. "This year participants will be able to register for individual programs being offered at Design on the Delaware and NeoCon East, providing conference goers more flexibility in selecting programs that fit their educational needs.”

DIFFA's booth will highlight collections from several commercial interior manufacturers who are participating in its Specify With Care cause-related marketing initiative. Through the program, companies donate a percentage of sales from designated products/lines to DIFFA.

For more information, visit neoconeast.com.