Mark Your Calendars: The 2026 NeoCon Talks Are Almost Here
From June 8–9, this dynamic lineup of 20-minute conversations will dive into topics ranging from salutogenic spaces to designing for neurodiversity.
Itineraries are already filling up for the commercial interior design industry’s premier annual event, NeoCon 2026. With more than 450 established and emerging exhibitors, this year’s programming includes engaging exhibits, collaborations and more—plus a new lighting showcase, Illuminate at NeoCon. But one thing you won’t want to miss? NeoCon Talks, presented in partnership with Design Milk.
Located in the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall of The MART, 2026 NeoCon Talks will take over the NeoCon Talks Stage for a two-day run with 12 thought-provoking 20-minute conversations from leading voices. The talented list of speakers includes Elettra De Pellegrin, Architect Founder and CEO, SLALOM Acoustics; Janet Simpson, President and CEO, TVS; Dwayne MacEwen, Founder, Principal & Creative Director, DMAC Architecture & Interiors, and more. Sponsored by Slalom Acoustic Systems, Garden on the Wall, MOCKETT, Andreu World and Keilhauer—and hosted by Design Milk Assistant Editor Sophie Sobol—these inspiring talks and informative discussions will be too good to miss.
For its fourth year, NeoCon Talks has teamed up with Design Milk to platform influential and emerging voices that are sharing bold ideas about the future of commercial interior design. And after a successful call for talks and submissions period, this lineup represents the cream of the crop.
Monday, June 8th
12:45-1:05PM — Designing for Neurodiversity: Two Perspectives that Rethink Inclusivity. SPEAKERS: Arnold C. Levin, Principal, CWI & Zoe Levin Student, University of Washington.
1:15 – 1:35PM — A Practical Framework for Circular Interior Design. SPEAKERS: Brittany McNairy, Senior Technical Coordinator, Senior Associate, Perkins&Will & Timothy Anscombe-Bell, Fitwel Ambassador, ASID Director, Sustainable Design Collective.
1:45 – 2:05PM — Diving Deep: Designing What Isn’t Written—but Felt. SPEAKER: Dwayne MacEwen, Founder, Principal & Creative Director, DMAC Architecture & Interiors.
2:15 – 2:35PM — Teamwork Wins: Culture as Strategy. SPEAKER: Janet Simpson President and CEO, TVS.
2:45 – 3:05PM — Grassroots & Grants: Designing a Better Chicago. SPEAKER: Tanner Woodford, Founder, Iterative Work.
3:15 – 3:35PM — Why Nature’s Patterns Heal Us: Understanding Fractals and Biophilia. SPEAKER: Mette Shenker, LEED AP, IIDA Senior Principal, Design Director, SmithGroup.
Tuesday, June 9th
12:45 – 1:05PM — Being Invisible: A Design Journey. SPEAKER: Kristin Cerutti, ID+C Regional Design Leader, Workplace, NELSON Worldwide.
1:15 – 1:35PM — Designing for the Way We Feel, Think, and Experience Space. SPEAKER: Laura Guido-Clark CEO, LOVE GOOD COLOR PBC.
1:45 – 2:05PM — The Future of Furniture: How Disruption Creates Opportunity. SPEAKER: Lisa Gralnek Global Head of Sustainability & Impact, US Managing Director, iF Design.
2:15 – 2:35PM — Work & Wellness: Designing to Heal, Engage and Endure. SPEAKERS: Quána Madison Multi Disciplinary Artist, ArtLifting & Stephen Brown Senior Vice President of Global Market Development, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
2:45 – 3:05PM — Design for Wellness: How Sound and Color Shape Experience. SPEAKER: Elettra De Pellegrin, Architect Founder and CEO, SLALOM Acoustics.
3:15 – 3:35PM — Salutogenic Spaces: Designing Workplaces that Thrive. SPEAKERS: Jill Stewart President, Office Revolution & Kelly Colón Founder, Coach, Educator, and Author of “Life Interrupted”, Eledex Consulting.
Don’t miss the 2026 NeoCon Talks! Register for NeoCon, or find out more details here: https://neocon.com/programming/neocon-talks.
2026 NeoCon Talks sponsored by Slalom Acoustic Systems, Garden on the Wall, MOCKETT, Andreu World, Keilhauer.
Photography courtesy of NeoCon.
