May 13, 2026 —The Education facilities design and management market segment has a variety of sessions dedicated to it at NeoCon 2026. 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 volunteer conference board and evaluated submissions to FM, Workplace and Technology. The Education topics were evaluated by education space designers, architects, experts in facility management, and media. Registration is open, and content for the virtual CEUs becomes available on June 7, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. EDT and will be available on-demand through December 31. Advance registration is required.
NeoCon 2026 offers more than 60 AIA- and IDCEC-approved CEU sessions, featuring 150+ thought leaders and industry experts across a wide range of timely topics. Here are Virtual CEU sessions of interest to Education facility managers and designers:
Beyond the Classroom: Designing Healthy Learning Environments
As school districts and pediatricians recognize the risk factors associated with sitting at desks all day long, as well as those added on by lack of access to sunlight and fresh air, designers in the education space have investigated alternative learning spaces that allow students to get out of their desks and into the great outdoors. Meeting and learning outdoors creates a people/student-first environment. Creating intentional spaces for collaboration and learning has been shown to improve mental, physical and emotional health. This course discusses the importance of including outdoor learning environments in educational facilities, risks of excluding these types of spaces, and the relationship to physical health, mental well-being and academic performance. See the speakers from Ghent and LPA Design Studios here.
From Classrooms to Communities: Designing for Belonging
As academic environments evolve, strengthening human connection is an imperative. A multi-phase research study by The Ohio State University and Gensler examined how spatial design impacts belonging across students, faculty and staff. The research identified conditions that support or constrain interaction and found that flexibility, hybrid readiness, biophilic strategies, and inclusive informal space can strengthen connection, enhance well-being, and influence campus culture. This CEU session translates research into actionable design strategies for human-centered planning and spatial innovation. Through concepts such as Pocket Spaces, Campus Outposts and Living Classrooms, attendees will learn how intentional design can foster collaboration, equity and shared identity while elevating curiosity, connection and well-being. See the speaker team from Gensler and The Ohio State University here.
Beyond Compliance: Guide to Creating Elevated Mothers’ Rooms
Beyond Compliance is a 1-hour (1 learning unit) IDCEC-approved course for interior designers, architects, facilities management and workplace wellness leaders. The course explores how thoughtful workplace design can transform legally required lactation spaces into restorative, empowering environments. Through a mix of policy context, human-centered research, and real-world design examples, attendees will learn how to go beyond minimum compliance to create spaces that enhance wellness, equity and efficiency for working mothers. See the presentation: A Designer’s Guide to Creating Legal, Beautiful, and Empowering Mothers’ Rooms here. Read about Brie Tascione, CMO, MilkMate here.
Universal Design for Learning
Discover the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how they enhance educational experiences for all learners. This course explores the benefits of inclusive design in improving academic, behavioral and social outcomes. Participants will evaluate how intentional classroom layouts and school furniture choices support UDL principles, fostering an equitable learning environment. Gain practical insights on creating UDL-compliant spaces and learn strategies to maintain and improve inclusive classrooms over time. Empower teaching with adaptable, student-centered design solutions. Read about Emily Islip, Product Portfolio Manager, Smith System, here.
Acoustic Pod Code Compliance
In regard to compliance issues affecting office pods, this course covers relevant building, fire and sprinkler codes as well as other local requirements and pathways to ensure safety and acceptance by local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). You will learn about common installation requirements, how to determine local jurisdiction decisions, and the process of understanding local AHJ requirements, adopted I-codes, and any amendments. Furthermore, the course will delve into all relevant certifications and testing necessary for properly specifying and designing an office pod, including material and furniture flammability, total heat release rate and fuel load, full-scale fire testing, electrical safety (UL), sprinkler requirements, sprinkler obstruction rules, notification (audible and visible), ventilation, safety glass, seismic bracing, emissions and accessibility. See speakers from Framery Acoustics here.
If you are attending NeoCon in person, all seven exhibition floors of The Mart — 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14 — will be open. Show registration is free for all attendees. Keynotes will be delivered live on-site and will also be available for streaming on NeoCon.com. Programming registration is open for Keynotes, Featured Presentations, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Workshops, NeoCon Talks, and Inside Design tours.
