More than 4,000 architects and interior designers, design librarians, hotel/restaurant owners and managers, lighting and specification engineers, dealers, purchasing managers, safety and security managers, space planners and students were expected to attend the debut of NeoCon Xpress in Los Angeles, Aug. 22-23, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Keynoter, Angela Adams, answers questions posed from her “Bringing Comfort to Contract” presentation. Adams provides contract industry work for several companies including Ann Sacks’ newly expanded ceramic tile line, Shaw Contract Group’s broadloom and carpet tile, and Architex woven fabrics.

The two-day event featured several noteworthy keynoters such: Designer Angela Adams, owner of Angela Adams, Inc.; chief economist for the city of Los Angeles, Jack Kyser; co-founder of Architecture for Humanity, Cameron Sinclair; and environmentalist Robert Kennedy, Jr.

This 9-ft. tall mannequin, constructed in one day with hundreds of individual pieces of silver and gold metallic mosaic tiles, is the first thing that visitors to Raffi Glass booth at NeoCon Xpress encountered. Retired high-end fashion designer Raffi Jacobsen heads the Los Angeles, Calif.-based company.

Although traffic was initially light, NeoCon Xpress attendees and exhibitors showed great enthusiasm in the products and services offered during the two-day show.

Organizers say that plans for next year’s show are already underway. NeoCon Xpress is scheduled for Aug. 20-21, 2008.

For more information, call (800) 677-6278, or visit www.merchandisemart.com.