Header: NeoCon
As the industry prepares for the 57th edition of NeoCon, held at THE MART from 8-10 June 2026, the focus is firmly on how we link people, products, and ideas. This year, the event introduces a Preview Day on Sunday, 7 June, giving attendees an early look at the 4.2 million square feet of space before the main doors officially open.
Under the theme “Where Design Connects,” the fair will look at the most pressing shifts in the commercial landscape. From the rise of artificial intelligence to the growing need for adaptive, multi-generational spaces, the event aims to show how technology and culture affect our daily well-being. It is a massive undertaking, spreading across seven exhibition floors and welcoming over 50,000 professionals from sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and workplace design.
Lighting takes the lead with Illuminate
One of the biggest changes for 2026 is the launch of Illuminate at NeoCon. Recognising that lighting is a fundamental part of any good interior, the organisers have created this new show-within-a-show on the 7th floor. It is designed to be a dedicated hub for architectural, technical, and decorative lighting.
Instead of just standard displays, Illuminate will feature interactive vignettes and installations that show lighting in real-world settings. This helps designers see exactly how different products change the feel and function of a room. Exhibitors like Astro Lighting, Fluxwerx, and Axolight are already lined up to show off their latest work. This section will also have its own expert-led talks and social events, such as happy hours and meet-and-greets, to help manufacturers and designers chat more easily.
Keynote speakers and new perspectives
The 2026 programme brings together three very different voices to open each day of the show, starting with inventor and entrepreneur Jessica O. Matthews. As the founder of O. Labs, Matthews will deliver a talk titled “Find Your Fight,” where she examines how the most transformative breakthroughs happen when the stakes are personal. Drawing on her experience reimagining energy infrastructure for equity, she will explain how “purpose-driven pressure” can be a tool for innovation, encouraging designers to rethink who they are creating for and how to turn personal motivation into meaningful impact.
The conversation shifts on the second day as Nick Foster, a former Head of Design at Google X and a Royal Designer for Industry, challenges the audience to rethink the future. Through his “Future Mundane” philosophy, Foster argues against seeing the future as a distant or abstract concept, instead reframing it as a direct extension of our current lives. He aims to provide a moment of intentional pause, giving the design community the tools to become better critics and creators who can navigate uncertainty with more clarity and human-focused purpose.
Finally, cultural strategist David “Shingy” Shing will close the event by looking at how we can keep design relevant in a world of rapid-fire change. Formerly known as AOL’s “Digital Prophet,” Shingy will decode the cultural signals that redefine how we live and work alongside exponential technology. His session focuses on building “creative readiness,” helping leaders and designers evolve with new tools while protecting the human core that gives design its actual value.
Learning on the go: Workshops and talks
Beyond the big stage, the fair offers a range of ways to learn. NeoCon Talks, held in partnership with Design Milk, are quick, 20-minute sessions on the 7th floor that offer fast insights from rising leaders. For those who want to get their hands dirty, the on-site workshops offer two hours of interactive, practical learning.
There is also a huge digital side to the event. Many of the CEU (Continuing Education Unit) sessions are being recorded so they can be watched later on the NeoCon Learning Hub. This means if you miss a live talk about sustainability or wellness technology while exploring the showrooms, you can catch up until the end of the year.
Who you’ll meet on the floor
With over 400 companies exhibiting, the variety is wide. You’ll find the latest office furniture, high-performance flooring, and acoustic solutions from both big names and new start-ups. Brands such as Spoonflower and Lintex have previously used the platform to show how even the most functional tools benefit from creative design. The 7th floor remains the place to spot “what’s next,” as it often hosts the smaller, more disruptive brands that eventually become industry staples.
NeoCon 2026 is shaping up to be a must-visit event for the entire commercial design industry. By adding the Illuminate exhibit and focusing on themes like AI and human-centred innovation, the event reflects a world where the boundaries between tech, work, and wellness are becoming thinner. Whether you are there for the hand-picked lighting displays or the provocative keynote sessions, the goal remains the same: to find better ways to build the spaces where we spend our lives.
