At NeoCon 2025, held June 9–11 at The Mart in Chicago, Source International proudly joined forces with Sandow and The Mart as a manufacturers sponsor of the 1st NeoCon program—an exclusive, curated experience for 30 rising design professionals from across the country. Designed to connect young talent with the commercial design industry in meaningful, lasting ways, the multi-day event offered a dynamic blend of inspiration, education, and community-building.
Hosted by Interior Design, Metropolis, and The Mart, the 1st NeoCon initiative served as a launchpad for emerging designers to immerse themselves in the industry’s biggest event. From the red carpet at the HiP Awards on opening night to behind-the-scenes showroom crawls and design talks, the program emphasized hands-on learning and face-to-face connections. Moments of reflection, like a restorative sound bath hosted by Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering, provided space for attendees to recharge and take in the experience.
As part of its sponsorship, Source International provided the official branded tote bags for all attendees—thoughtfully designed to hold the curated swag and materials from participating brands. More importantly, Source welcomed the group into its award-winning showroom, which was recently honored with IIDA’s Best Small Showroom Design Award during the show, designed in partnership with Huntsman Architectural Group’s Chicago Office.
“The opportunity to participate in Sandow and The Mart's 1st NeoCon designer program was a fantastic moment for our team,” said Vanessa Englert, Vice President of Marketing at Source International. “It allowed us to connect directly with a talented and promising group of designers identified as the next wave of thought leaders in the contract furniture industry. We were elated to introduce them to our latest product innovations and share the story behind our space.”
Designers echoed the value of the experience throughout the week. “It’s been great to experience the showrooms and see how brands are creating their own environments,” noted Brenea Palmer of Huntsman Architectural Group. Others, like Adam Demien of HOK Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer exchange: “It’s been so great to get the perspective of people my age who live in different cities—we don’t get that a lot.”
At its core, the 1st NeoCon initiative is about more than just product—it’s about fostering future leaders and building bridges between emerging talent and established industry voices. Source International’s involvement in this landmark program speaks to its commitment to investing in design culture and community, not just furniture.
As these designers carry their NeoCon experiences back to their firms and future projects, the connections made—and the support from forward-thinking brands like Source—will continue to shape the spaces and stories of tomorrow.
