(Chicago, IL April 10, 2014) NeoCon®, the world’s largest contract design exhibition and conference has a new digital look and feel. Guided by the theme that “Place Matters”, show management has launched a new website and show app that will make maneuvering through the 1 million square feet of exhibition space at The Merchandise Mart easier than ever. Online registration for the June 9-11 show is open through June 2 and complimentary to the trade (onsite registration - $25 fee). Once registered, attendees will be able to immediately start planning for the show by populating their personal MyNeoCon guides with custom itineraries including favorite exhibitor and product information, and personalized floor plans and schedules. Onsite, the new NeoCon app, powered by digital partner Designer Pages, can be used to retrieve your MyNeoCon guide on iPhones as well as scan products and assist in navigation from showroom to showroom.

According to NeoCon Senior Vice President, Susan McCullough, “These news tools are all part of a show-wide effort to make NeoCon 2014 a smooth and productive experience for all. We have worked on new category-focused layouts for our temporary floors, enhanced wayfinding and now launched an improved website and brand new app in line with evolving digital technology.”

Neocon.com’s fresh new look features key visuals of actual installations to show that “Place Matters”. Designers from the NeoCon Advisory Board including Pam Light from HOK, Avery Handy from Mancini Duffy, Sarah Gerber from FXFOWLE provided images of their respective firm’s projects that reflect the campaign. Complete with show information, exhibitor listings, partners, special features and programming, the user-friendly website and responsive mobile version provides all the tools to effectively and efficiently cover the show. The MyNeoCon feature will allow visitors to search and browse products and exhibitors, save product and exhibitor favorites to personal floor plans, and print floor plans or share with a colleague. Launching this year, the new iPhone app is designed for use on the show floor. It will offer show highlights, wayfinding tools, the ability to scan favorite products and access to MyNeoCon.

These digital resources will also offer visitors more detailed information on a range of fresh initiatives and special anniversary events taking place at the show this year. The newest must-attend event celebrates an exciting awards program created by Interior Design Media that honors commercial industry pioneers and achievement in design solutions and product applications. Called Interior Design HIP at NeoCon, the awards presentation will take place on Tuesday evening. Wednesday will have an array of high-powered new features that target the designer-client side of the business (or the corporate end-user). Contract Magazine is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Best of NeoCon Awards program, which will be enhanced for this milestone year. Winners of the coveted prize will be announced at the opening of NeoCon.

The show will feature over 100 accredited CEU sessions as well as a stellar line-up of speakers including: Tom Eich of IDEO presented by Vornado/Merchandise Mart; Adrian D. Smith, of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) presented by AIA Chicago; Todd Bracher, of Todd Bracher Studio LLC presented by IIDA and 3M Architectural Markets; and Scott Barry Kaufman presented by ASID and OFS Brands. Additional speakers and programming highlights can be found online.

Owned and produced by Vornado Realty Trust | Merchandise Mart, Online Registration by June 2 is free and On-Site Registration is $25. Keynote presentations are free to attendees. CEU Seminar Online Registration is $55 each, CEU Seminar On-Site Registration is $65 each, and fees vary for all Special Events.

Interviews with exhibitors, show management, and seminar speakers are available prior to, during, or after the show. Media can visit the show’s online pressroom at www.neocon.com to download press releases and announcements. The site also features an image gallery and fast facts. For exhibitor news, images and real-time information, follow NeoCon on the following social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Vine.

Vornado Realty Trust | Merchandise Mart, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, is a leading owner and operator of integrated showroom and office buildings, as well as trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together through market events, trade and consumer shows, and conferences each year. We are committed to creating sustainable environments in the properties we manage and the communities we serve.

Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real-estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

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