Chicago—NeoCon, the premier event for the commercial interiors industry, released a comprehensive lineup of CEUs and workshops to complement this year’s keynotes and featured presentations. Registration is now available for the sessions, which will be held both in-person and virtually. Anchored by the theme “Design Takes Shape,” the NeoCon 2024 edition will provide a platform where diverse perspectives converge to foster enrichment and growth across a wide range of topics and disciplines.
“At NeoCon, we are dedicated to curating a diverse programming experience, providing a dynamic blend of educational courses, inspirational talks and hands-on workshops,” said Nubia Henderson, director of programming for NeoCon. “Our CEUs and workshops will provide access to the technical skills and exposure to fresh ideas necessary to shift paradigms and promote growth, all within a vibrant, collaborative environment ideal for learning and innovation.”
More than 50 CEU-approved programs and workshops will be accessible exclusively to registered NeoCon attendees and will feature speakers from leading associations, universities, architecture and design firms and top media outlets, as well as experts in workplace, sustainability, emerging technology and more. From leveraging neuroscience insights for complex design challenges and honing technical expertise in podcasting, to integrating artificial intelligence into design processes, the modules will provide ample opportunity for intensive learning and actionable inspiration.
NeoCon will offer a wide selection of on-demand sessions starting June 10 through September 13. They will cover various topics and verticals including DEI, Design Skills, Education, Facilities Management, Healthcare, Hospitality, Industry Directions, Lighting, Public Space, Sustainability, Technology, Wellness and Workplace.
Below is the schedule of CEUs and workshops offered onsite at NeoCon. To register and explore the full listing of 2024 programming, including CEU-approved programs, workshops, featured presentations and keynotes, head here.
Monday, June 10, 2024
CEU: 20 things that neuroscientists know that designers need to know
9:00 a.m.
Speaker: Sally Augustin, PhD
What have neuroscientists learned about humans that’s useful to designers and people solving wicked problems? Plenty, when study findings are discussed in everyday language and practical terms, not as isolated, cryptic soundbites. This session provides insights to inform tough design decisions, not to dictate how they are resolved.
CEU: Pixels to People: Designing Across Ages and Spaces through AI
10:00 a.m.
Speakers: Jenna Clements, associate interior design coordinator, Stantec Architecture & Engineering; Kelsey Ziegler, associate medical planner, interior designer, Stantec Architecture & Engineering; Sydney Strugaru, associate, interior designer, Stantec Architecture & Engineering; Zach Skala, interior design coordinator, Stantec Architecture & Engineering.
The presentation explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into design processes and its impact on creativity and efficiency.
Workshop: Hues and harmony: An artistic workshop by Ultrafabrics & Pantone
10:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Presenters: Nicole Meier, director of branding, Ultrafabrics; Kimberle Frost, color and textile development, Ultrafabrics; Jill Seale, founder, Jill Seale Studio; Tannese Williams, product manager of fashion, home and interiors, Pantone.
Join Ultrafabrics & Pantone for a lively workshop on color theory and its magic in design. Learn from the experts how to master color logic and take your projects up a notch. This session mixes theory with hands-on fun, using the Japanese art of Suminagashi paper marbling.
CEU: Recommitting to worker satisfaction: Furniture in all spaces
1:00 p.m.
Speakers: Steve Kooy, director, health and sustainability, BIFMA; Lauren Gant, senior workplace advisory manager, HNI.
This session will explain how ergonomic considerations integrate into a human-centered design process. By integrating the science of fitting furniture to the worker, designers and their clients can promote healthy workstyles that enhance safety, wellness and satisfaction in any work environment.
Workshop: Equity integration throughout the design process
2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Presenters: Terri Howard, director of equity, HGA; Noah Exum, equity design coordinator, HGA.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are not simply nouns but verbs for the built environment professional. How do we design spaces that are inclusive and take into account the diverse voices of stakeholders of spaces? This interactive workshop will provide tools and resources to help and support design practitioners to apply an equity lens at each phase of the design process.
CEU: Body and mind: How neurodiversity is expanding our approach to inclusive design
3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Amie Keener, design manager, Gensler; Meaghan Beever, design strategist, Gensler; Kirima Isler, design strategist, Gensler (Canada).
It is undeniable that our world is made up of people with different sizes, shapes, levels of mobility, sensory needs, variations in cognitive processing and communication styles as well as cultural backgrounds and practices. Yet, as an industry, we have only recently begun to ramp up our efforts to design for these underserved populations more meaningfully within our public and workspaces through inclusive design efforts.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
CEU: Trends impacting 2025 and beyond
10:00 a.m.
Speaker: Mark Bryan, senior foresight manager, Future Today Institute
Trends impacting 2025 and beyond delves deep into the trends poised to reshape the built environment landscape with business and design-level insights. Leveraging the Future Today Institute’s proprietary strategic foresight methodology, this session is not just a peek into the future—it’s a strategic roadmap.
Workshop: Surrounding the POD: Insider secrets of podcasting
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Rob Schulte, senior producer, SANDOW Design Group
Surround podcasts’ exclusive workshop on “Creating High-Quality Podcasts” led by Sandow Design Group senior producer Rob Schulte delves into the intricate world of podcast production. With over a decade of experience and work with renowned entities like Conan O’Brien and Vice Media, Schulte brings insights into the art of podcasting. Attendees will embark on a comprehensive journey through podcast creation, covering critical phases such as episode pre-production, necessary documents and equipment and post-production.
CEU: Designing tomorrow: Workplace evolution at Intuit’s new HQ
12:00 p.m.
Speakers: Caroline Morris, associate principal, Clive Wilkinson Architects; Steve McCollum, global design lead, Intuit
The presentation explores the story behind the software company Intuit’s newly completed ground-up office building. The project serves as an expansion of its Mountain View Headquarters, and a progressive expression of the future of workplace design.
CEU: Embracing sustainable interiors: A responsible design legacy
2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Florencia Kratsman, director of interior architecture, FXCollaborative Architects
In a world where the environmental impact of our choices has never been more pronounced, it’s time for enterprises to rethink their approach to interior design. The prevailing paradigm of “style” for interiors has by definition favored ephemeral trends, but in the face of climate change and dwindling resources, the need for a more sustainable and heritage-based approach is becoming increasingly evident.
Workshop: ASID mentor exchange
3:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Moderator: Khoi Vo, chief executive officer, ASID
Presenters: Jaclyn Moser, ASID, partner, Harken Interiors; Janeallison Ng, interior designer, III, associate, Solomon, Cordwell Buenz; John Cialone, partner and vice president, Tom Stringer Design Partners (TSDP); Shunda Harris, CEO, founder and principal designer, Shunda Harris Interiors.
Ready to map your career path? Join ASID to discover the secrets of impactful mentorship, from gaining advice, sharing perspective and problem solving.
CEU: Rebuilding communities with data-driven wellness strategies
4:00 p.m.
Speaker: Valerie Jardon, strategy director, IA Interior Architects
The commercial building landscape is in crisis mode, with 1 billion square feet currently sitting empty. But our buildings were already experiencing an existential quandary even before the pandemic-induced vacancy uptick, with end users unmotivated to engage with spaces that don’t serve our needs. Aging infrastructure, stressful commutes, inflexible interiors and one-size-fits-all spaces designed for the majority are hardly wellness-inducing—nor welcoming to minority communities, from neurodivergent individuals to those affected by physical disabilities.
CEU programs and workshops are $45 per session ($40 if purchasing 5 or more). Show registration, as well as keynotes and featured presentations are complimentary. To register, head here.