Chicago—NeoCon® is celebrating its 40th birthday in style this year, as the Merchandise Mart once again welcomes the fair from June 9–11. The following pages offer a preview of what promise to be some of the best and the brightest in product introductions.

This year's program is chock-full of fun and educational events that promote design at its greatest. Greenlife™— a celebration of sustainable design—is the perfect resource for interior designers and architects, who are looking to meet the growing demands and requirements for green building. It showcases the companies and products that can start to provide them answers and the necessary tools to learn and incorporate green design practices into their projects. Stop off at the Greenlife Energy Bar on the 8th floor (Space No. 8-3130) for a healthy drink or energy snack to get yourself pumped for that next floor.

And as usual, keynote speakers will offer attendees valuable insights into innovation and best business practices. On June 9, Steven Levitt, author of the New York Times best-seller Freakonomics will address topics such as ways to create behavior change, incentives that work and ones that don't, and the value of asking unpopular questions. On June 10, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will discuss the current issues facing our future and what we can do to protect our natural resources. Scott Wilson, who's talents span across dozens of brands, including Microsoft, Nike, Motorola, and Artemide, will round out the fair on June 11, discussing his work in bringing compelling consumer concepts to market. All will be presenting at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, Sauganash Ballroom at 8 a.m.

The Best of NeoCon® Awards Competition also will be in full swing, honoring the latest introductions in commercial interiors products and furnishings. Forty categories range from Architectural Products to Workplace Technologies. The 2008 Award Winner's Breakfast for Best of NeoCon® will be held on Monday, June 9, 7:30 a.m., at the Renaissance Chicago. A "Behind the Scenes of The Best of NeoCon®" panel discussion will take place later that day at 3:30 p.m in the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, Sauganash Ballroom, where select members of the Best of NeoCon® juries will comment on this year's competition.

Do your feet hurt already? Be sure to pencil some time into this packed schedule to kick off your shoes at the Contract-Connection Lounge, 8th floor, Space No. 8-8118.

For more information on these and other events, please visit www.neocon.com.