In a business climate that is increasingly favoring commercial projects over residential installations, this year’s NeoCon World’s Trade Fair welcomed a record number of show goers with commercial work on their minds. The 39th annual exhibition of commercial products and services brought 52,632 interior designers and facility managers to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago in June, an increase of about 4 percent. Additionally, show organizers noted that a record 420 products were submitted for the annual Best of NeoCon awards.

Show organizers noted that with the residential market cooling, the commercial side of the industry is searching for new ways of doing business and strengthening its customer base. This was evidenced by a record 46 percent increase in the number of industry people pre-registering for seminars and education courses. “NeoCon has become the platform for launching new products and gaining inspiration for next year’s big idea,” said Mark Falanga, senior vp of NeoCon show producer Merchandise Mart Properties.

NeoCon 2008 is set for June 9-11, 2008 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. For more information, visitwww.merchandisemart.comor call (800) 677-6278.