Insights from NeoCon 2025 by IAI

CHICAGO — For IAI President and CEO Peter Gebhardt, NeoCon 2025 served as a valuable trip not only for IAI but for many of those recently in attendance at June 9-11 in Chicago.

Located in The Mart in downtown, conference has been one of the industry’s most recognizable events since 1969.

In particular, manufacturers, dealers, designers, and reps alike view NeoCon as the biggest show of the year, as it sets the annual stage for trends, challenges, and new opportunities for the commercial interior design industry.

This year, however, many noted the unique mix of industry conditions which present themselves - from tariffs to AI to post-pandemic, return-to-work mandates. The conversations at NeoCon 2025 reflected the current landscape according to Mr. Gebhardt, as well.

”We’ve been coming to NeoCon for years,” Gebhardt said in an interview. “But this year, the complexity of what’s happening in the industry was the hottest topic on the floor.”

Despite the current challenges facing the industry, the IAI President also believes it will settle and continue to experience growth.

”If there’s one thing this industry is, it’s resilient,” he said. “As we look forward to the rest of ‘25, ahead to ‘26 and beyond, we’ll see how everyone adapts to this new reality.”

IAI is already making plans for next year’s NeoCon show at the time of this publication.