March 30, 2026 — The world’s premier platform for commercial design, NeoCon, is 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. Programming sessions, reviewed and curated by a volunteer conference board, meet the needs of NeoCon’s diverse attendee audience ranging from commercial interior designers and architects to facility managers and planners, along with real estate professionals leading the future of office spaces.
All seven exhibition floors of The Mart — 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14 — will be open.
The McMorrow Reports & FMLink editors will be attending NeoCon’s educational programming (both on-site and virtual) featuring experts sharing the latest strategies, emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and forward-thinking concepts. Eileen McMorrow, editor-in-chief, McMorrow Reports & FMLink, is on the NeoCon conference board and evaluated submissions to Workplace and Technology. Content is presented by top associations, universities, design firms, manufacturers, and media leaders. Virtual CEUs to be announced soon. Programming registration opens April 1.
Facility managers and workspace planners will benefit from attending these sessions in the Workplace track:
A Field Guide to Workplace Microdiversity
The explosive growth of the AI industry has had a profound impact on workplace design. It’s prompted an industry-wide reconsideration of what we design, how we design, and who we’re designing for. With this transformation comes increased awareness of the needs of an AI workforce — both employees of AI companies and AI-empowered professionals in the design industry. This emerging workforce expects and needs a variety of work settings that’s far more diverse than the choice-based workplaces of the early post-pandemic years. Workplace design has crossed into an Era of Microdiversity. Speakers: Brian Stromquist, AIA Strategy Director, Practice Area Leader, Gensler; and Kelly Dubisar, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, Design Director, Principal, Gensler
The Fourth Place: Designing Where AI Meets Human Wisdom
The traditional office is obsolete, and the “Third Place” (coffee shop) is insufficient for deep collaboration. As AI commoditizes white-collar production and strips tacit knowledge from the workforce, organizations face a critical question: Why come in? Rex Miller, MSF, USTPA, GeniusSpark, and lead futurist, MindShift, introduces “The Fourth Place,” a radical new spatial concept that mashes up the social glue of a café, the production capabilities of a Maker Space, and the peer-to-peer expertise of an Apple Genius Bar.
Miller argues we are shifting from a “print-based” world of hierarchy to an “AI-based” world of distributed wisdom. He reveals why the “Long Tail” economics of the internet must now be applied to talent, unlocking hidden expertise within your organization. Attendees will learn how to design a “continuous learning hub” that makes the office a destination for mentorship, innovation, and the human collisions AI cannot replicate.
The Superhuman Office: Office Design for an AI-Enabled World
The future workplace isn’t less human — it’s superhuman. This session explores how to design offices that boost creativity, collaboration, curiosity, and higher-level thinking amid the rise of intelligent technologies. Presented by Connor Glass, Rebecca Milne, and AI expert Rupert Breheny, participants will learn how technology can enhance uniquely human skills. Drawing on research and project examples, the session highlights strategies for inclusive design, playful environments, and creating a sense of “home,” inspiring attendees to foster the superhuman office where design and technology elevate what only humans can do.
Designing the 100-Year Workforce: How Multigenerational Design Shapes Work
For the first time in history, up to six generations may share the workforce — from early-career Gen Z professionals to employees working well into their seventies and beyond. At the same time, global longevity is rising, with the population aged 80 and older projected to triple by 2050. Drawing on insights from the ASID 2026 Trends Outlook Report, this session reframes aging as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Industry leaders will explore how organizations can design workplaces that support collaboration, well-being, mentorship, and knowledge transfer across generations — turning longevity into a powerful strategic advantage.
All NeoCon 2026 programming can be filtered by topics: Lighting; Workplace; Wellness; Design Skills, Technology; Inclusion; Sustainability and Public Space.
Show registration is free for all attendees. To register, visit NeoCon. 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.
