CHICAGO—Registration for NeoCon 2026 is now open at NeoCon.com. Hosted at The Mart in Chicago from June 8 to 10, with a Preview Day on June 7, the event stands as the world’s premier platform for commercial design. Guided by the 2026 theme, “Where Design Connects,” the show will serve as an important nexus for the people, products, and perspectives driving the industry forward. Headlining the 57th edition are three provocative keynote presenters: entrepreneur and inventor Jessica O. Matthews, futurist Nick Foster, and digital prophet David “Shingy” Shing. Kicking off each day of the show, these diverse voices will inspire the NeoCon community with insights on innovation, foresight, and creative resilience.
Adding to this year’s expansive offerings is the debut of Illuminate at NeoCon, a new “show-within-a-show” spotlighting the critical role of lighting in the built environment. All seven exhibition floors of The Mart—1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 14—will be open, underscoring NeoCon’s unmatched scale and leadership.
Keynote Speakers & Addresses
Jessica O. Matthews – Find Your Fight: The Power of Taking it Personally
Monday, June 8 | 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. | Presented by IIDA
Award-winning entrepreneur, inventor, and energy advocate Jessica O. Matthews will kick off NeoCon 2026 by examining how the most transformative innovations emerge when the impact is personal. Drawing from nearly two decades of work at the intersection of infrastructure and social impact, Matthews will unlock the power of a human-centered lens—and how purpose-driven pressure can spark breakthrough ideas. Best known for inventing an energy-generating soccer ball at age 19 and founding Uncharted Power, Matthews has spent her career reimagining how energy and infrastructure can better serve communities more equitably. Now the founder and CEO of O. Labs, an invention studio dedicated to expanding access to innovation, she will invite the NeoCon community to rethink who innovation is for, how ideas move from concept to action, and how personal motivation can drive meaningful impact.
“Innovation isn’t just a process—it’s a fight,” says Matthews. “Like in any fight, when the stakes are personal, the innovation is more powerful. At NeoCon, I’m excited to share how taking it personally turns pressure into purpose and challenges into breakthroughs.”
Nick Foster – Resetting How We Think About the Future
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. | Presented by ASID
Notable Royal Designer for Industry—Britain’s highest accolade for a designer—and Former Head of Design at Google X, Nick Foster, is set to challenge assumptions about what’s ahead, evaluating the power of imagination, technology, and the human experience. Leaning on decades of work with the world’s most influential technology companies and his “Future Mundane” philosophy, Foster reframes the future not as a distant abstraction, but as an extension of the present––designed by people, for people. His address will dismantle conventional narratives of progress, offering frameworks to strengthen foresight, expand perspectives, and navigate the future with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
“Our collective ability to conceptualize what’s next with depth and rigor remains underdeveloped,” shares Foster. “Rather than forecasting outcomes, I want to offer a moment of intentional pause to help the NeoCon community become better critics and creators, as we all tackle the overwhelming tide of uncertainty that lies ahead.”
David Shing – Designing for an Evolving World
Wednesday, June 10 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Presented by BIFMA
Creative advisor and cultural strategist David “Shingy” Shing will close NeoCon 2026, exploring how exponential technology and cultural acceleration are redefining the way people live, work, and connect. Formerly AOL’s “Digital Prophet,” Shingy is celebrated for decoding cultural signals and translating them into actionable strategies for brands and organizations leading rapid transformation. Tapping into his work across marketing, media, design, and technology, Shingy will unpack how organizations and design systems can keep pace with change, ensuring relevance in a world where yesterday’s breakthroughs quickly become baseline expectations.
“Every era normalizes what once felt impossible,” offers Shingy. “This talk is about helping designers and leaders build the creative and cultural readiness to evolve with accelerating technology—without losing the human core that makes design meaningful.”
Show registration is free for all attendees. To register, head here. Keynotes will be delivered live on-site and will also be available for streaming on NeoCon.com. Programming registration for Keynotes, Featured Presentations, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Workshops, NeoCon Talks, and Inside Design tours will open on April 1.
