NeoCon 2021 Highlights

As the design industry’s premier event, NeoCon is always an adventure for the senses. See what you missed in Chicago at the 2021 show.

Formica Group’s NeoCon booth featuring a wall of solid color, woodgrain and 180fx laminate squares

Our Perspective on NeoCon 2021

After NeoCon’s 2020 in-person show was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was fantastic to be back in person this year! In our co-branded booth with our sister companies, we were able to showcase our latest patterns and product launches across the Formica^® Brand line, Apra Industriale laminates, and the increasingly popular FENIX^® innovative materials collection. We appreciated the positive feedback from many longtime customers and other attendees who stopped by the booth.

Of course, the pandemic still had a profound impact on the show itself – masks were required, social distancing was strongly encouraged, and face-to-face interactions were limited. In an effort to reach customers who were unable to attend, all the product videos featured in our booth are available in this short, entertaining playlist for you to view from the comforts of your home.

But even with smaller crowds, there were still many of the familiar sights and sounds we’ve grown accustomed to at the MART. Take a virtual stroll through NeoCon 2021 in this video recap to get a taste of the show.

Facade of the MART building in Chicago with NeoCon signs

Meeting FORM Student Design Competition Winners

One of the best parts of NeoCon every year is meeting with students who are interested in a career in design. This year, Formica Group invited the top three finishers from its 2020 and 2021 FORM Student Competitions to join our team for NeoCon. These bright young designers took in the magic of the event and Chicago’s historic architecture during their stay. The winning pieces were fabricated and displayed in the i+s showroom for all to enjoy. Hear the students talk about their winning projects in this podcast from i+s. (Photo courtesy of Kenn Busch.)

Past Formica Group FORM Competition winners pose with a winning furniture design

I Spy…Formica and FENIX

During the show, our design team scoured the booths and showrooms to see how various manufacturers are using Formica^® Brand surfaces and FENIX^® innovative materials. Thanks to all these great companies who use our surfaces to make beautiful tables, desks, chairs and more!

AIS showcased this gorgeous table featuring Wheat Strand laminate by Formica Group.

Left to Right: Tonal Paper Terrazzo, White Drops, and Smoked Sea Salt starred in Surface Works’ showroom

The Hollman Smart Lockers featuring Formica® Aged Ash Laminate.

National Lighting Corporation displayed their wireless charging solutions on a table featuring Formica® Layered Sand laminate

FENIX Nero Ingo desk at Allermuir | Senator

FENIX Nero Ingo starred on this table with flowers at Davis Furniture

Nucraft sideboard featuring FENIX in Rosso Jaipur

HALCON is combining the anti-fingerprint qualities of FENIX (in Bianco Kos and Nero Ingo) with a hand sanitizer station to take cleanliness to the next level.

Steelcase is leaning into the terrazzo trend with both Tinted and Tonal Paper Terrazzo laminates by Formica Group.

ERG International tapped into our woodgrain collection with Raw Birchply, Raw Cedar and Waxed Maple.

Fossil (as a ping pong table) and Winter Sky laminate at KFI

Neinkämper was showcasing FENIX in Castoro Ottawa, Grigio Efeso, and Grigio Bromo on these tables.

Enwork was using a lot of Natural Ash laminate by Formica Group in this office furniture

SnapCab tapped into FENIX Nero Ingo for both exterior and interior walls with red detailing

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AIS showcased this gorgeous table featuring Wheat Strand laminate by Formica Group.

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Left to Right: Tonal Paper Terrazzo, White Drops, and Smoked Sea Salt starred in Surface Works’ showroom.

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The Hollman Smart Lockers featuring Formica^® Aged Ash laminate.

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National Lighting Corporation displayed their wireless charging solutions on a table featuring Formica^® Layered Sand laminate.

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We fell in love with the FENIX^® Nero Ingo desk at Allermuir | Senator.

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FENIX^® Nero Ingo also starred on this table at Davis Furniture.

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Speaking of FENIX, how gorgeous is this piece from Nucraft featuring Rosso Jaipur?

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Here, HALCON is combining the anti-fingerprint qualities of FENIX (in Bianco Kos and Nero Ingo) with a hand sanitizer station to take cleanliness to the next level.

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Steelcase is leaning into the terrazzo trend with both Tinted and Tonal Paper Terrazzo laminates by Formica Group.

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ERG International tapped into our woodgrain collection with Raw Birchply, Raw Cedar and Waxed Maple.

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We also spied Fossil (as a ping pong table) and Winter Sky laminate at KFI!

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Neinkämper was showcasing FENIX in Castoro Ottawa, Grigio Efeso, and Grigio Bromo.

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Enwork was using a lot of Natural Ash laminate by Formica Group.

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Finally, SnapCab tapped into FENIX^® Nero Ingo for both exterior and interior walls.

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