Chicago Design Week
At IIDA, we are beyond joyful, we reach beyond relevance to revolutionary, we build beyond connection to foster a true community of designers. (Which, frankly, is beyond cool.) We know that design goes beyond extraordinary and beyond the expected to bring together the places, people and purpose that go beyond in building a bright future for all.
Join us this summer at Chicago Design Week, where we’ll gather across the city's vibrant design neighborhoods during NeoCon and Design Days. We'll be convening, connecting, and pushing the conversation toward not just what’s next — but what is possible when you transcend limitations to create something that moves us in a whole new direction.
Find us at any of these events below or as we pop up around THE MART and Fulton Market.
Not able to attend Chicago Design Week? Follow IIDA on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn for highlights and details on all the exciting things happening!
Where It's At | An Insider Design Guide from IIDA CEO Cheryl Durst
You may have been to Chicago... but you haven't really been to Chicago until you've checked out IIDA CEO Cheryl Durst's secret spots. Download the guide here
IIDA at Chicago Design Week 2026 - NeoCon and Design Days
Friday, June 5
IIDA Chapter and Campus Center Awards | By Invitation Only
IIDA HQ and members celebrate the exceptional efforts and accomplishments of IIDA Chapters and our campus network at the annual IIDA Chapter and Campus Center Awards and reception. This event recognizes outstanding chapter and campus center achievements, best practices, program excellence, and overall contribution to the interior design industry.
Saturday, June 6
IIDA Chapter Leadership Council (CLC) | By Invitation Only
IIDA Chapter leaders from across the country gather at IIDA HQ for a daylong collaborative conference for IIDA Chapter leaders focused on membership, leadership development, and volunteerism.
IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition | Fulton Market Jurying
Submissions open: March 3 - June 5, 2026
June 7: Jurying at Fulton Market
June 8: Jurying at THE MART and Best of Chicago Design Week awarded at Revel in Design
Honoring originality of design and visual impact of showrooms, temporary booths, and pop-ups exhibiting at NeoCon or Fulton Market Design Days. Now in its 32nd year, this annual competition recognizes outstanding and innovative corporate branding initiatives with an emphasis on the innovative use of materials, space, color, texture, product, and environmental graphics. Entries will be reviewed onsite by a jury of influential design leaders and specifiers from the commercial interior design industry.
The “Best of Competition” winners from each area are eligible to win the “Best of Chicago Design Week" award, which is revealed during Revel in Design, IIDA’s premiere design celebration, on the evening of Sunday, June 7 by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA.
Sunday, June 7
IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition | THE MART Jurying and Best of Chicago Design Week Award
Submissions open: March 3 - June 5, 2026
June 6: Jurying at Fulton Market
June 7: Jurying at THE MART and Best of Chicago Design Week awarded at Revel in Design
Honoring originality of design and visual impact of showrooms, temporary booths, and pop-ups exhibiting at NeoCon or Fulton Market Design Days. This annual competition recognizes outstanding and innovative corporate branding initiatives with an emphasis on the innovative use of materials, space, color, texture, product, and environmental graphics. Entries will be reviewed onsite by a jury of influential design leaders and specifiers from the commercial interior design industry.
The “Best of Competition” winners from each area are eligible to win the “Best of Chicago Design Week” award, which will be revealed during Revel in Design, IIDA’s premiere design celebration, on the evening of Sunday, June 8 by IIDA EVP and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA.
IIDA Annual Meeting | Members Only
10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Brunch and Networking
12 – 1:30 p.m. | Program and Honors
WorkLife Meetings at THE MART, 2nd Floor
Current IIDA members and their guests are invited to jumpstart NeoCon at THE MART and Fulton Market Design Days by attending the 2026 IIDA Annual Meeting. Join us as we announce and honor the 2026-27 International Board of Directors, the 2026 College of Fellows inductees, as well as our IIDA ICON Award winner, and Member, Educator, and Student of the Year, among many other member accolades.
This event will be streamed live on the IIDA YouTube channel (@IIDA_HQ). Subscribe now and tune in at 12 p.m. Central on June 7.
Revel in Design | IIDA’s Premiere Celebration of Design
7-11:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware St.
Join host IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, the IIDA International Board, prominent international interior designers, and global design manufacturers for a celebration of design. IIDA’s Revel in Design continues to be bigger and bolder than ever, with high energy, networking, dinner, and dancing. The evening honors winners of two of the most prestigious competitions in the interior design profession — the Interior Design Competition and the Will Ching Design Competition. We will also reveal the second annual IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition's "Best of Chicago Design Week" award, presented by Cheryl Durst. Design Hero Presenting Sponsor Mohawk Group.
And more to come! Check back as we announce IIDA's full slate of 2026 programming.
Monday, June 8 | Day One of NeoCon and Design Days
NeoCon Keynote: Presented by IIDA
Find Your Fight: The Power of Taking it Personally
10 - 10:45 a.m.
NeoCon Presentation Studio at THE MART, 2nd Floor, and streamed live on the NeoCon Hub
When challenges feel insurmountable and the odds are stacked against you, how do you find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful keynote, Jessica O. Matthews reveals why the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge not from privilege or power, but from struggle, uncertainty, and deeply personal motivation. IIDA’s Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA will introduce Matthews and lead a question and answer session.
Collective Design LIVE: “The Future of Your Big Idea”
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
NeoCon Presentation Studio, Floor 2, at THE MART, and streamed live on the NeoCon Hub
Entrepreneurial thinking is an engine for change and a pathway to success, but nobody ever said it was easy. In fact, figuring out how to bet on your big ideas — and win — is even more difficult in our rapidly changing world. In this conversation, we convene designers, futurists, and other experts to talk about the future of entrepreneurship within the design world, and beyond. How do you surface the next big idea amid seismic societal change and successfully execute that vision? In an age of AI and smart materials, what types of services and products will best meet consumer needs and enhance human experience? How can potential entrepreneurs see past trends to build businesses with staying power?
Moderator:
Mark Bryan, IIDA, Chief Research and Strategy Officer at IIDA
Panelists:
Adi Goodrich, Spatial Designer and Founder, Sing-Sing Studio
Suzanne Tick, IIDA Titan, ASID, Weaver Textile Designer and CEO, Suzanne Tick + Art
Carrie Buse, Senior Director of Discovery, Mattel’s Future Lab
IIDA at Fulton Market Design Days
Corner of W. Fulton Market St. and W. Aberdeen St.
IIDA will meet and greet its members, chapter leaders, Chicago Design Week attendees, and the residents of Chicago as they gather and explore the the Fulton Market Design District as a burgeoning area for design, connection, and entertainment while attending NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days.
No registration required.
Tuesday, June 9 | Day Two of NeoCon and Design Days
IIDA National Student Design Charette
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
IIDA HQ, 111 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 222
Held during Chicago Design Week, this annual event brings together students from across the nation for a day of design, collaboration, networking, problem-solving, and fun. On the day of the Charette, students are assigned to a team, posed with a design challenge, given collaborative time to create a design solution, and then present it to a panel of esteemed jurors. Student attendees are nominated and selected through IIDA’s network of design educators.
IIDA National Student Design Charette Awards Celebration
4-6:00 p.m.
IIDA HQ, 111 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 222
Join the Charette participants and jurors at the IIDA National Charette Awards, where winners of the Student Design Charette will be announced.
IIDA at Fulton Market Design Days
Corner of W. Fulton Market St. and W. Aberdeen St.
IIDA will meet and greet its members, chapter leaders, Chicago Design Week attendees, and the residents of Chicago as they gather and explore the Fulton Market Design District as a burgeoning area for design, connection, and entertainment while attending NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days.
No registration required.