NeoCon Talks is returning for the third year at NeoCon 2025, bringing together industry disruptors, leaders, and influencers for thought-provoking 20-minute conversations in the NeoCon Talks Lounge on the 7th floor. The talks will delve into timely topics, challenging conventional thinking and ignite innovation.
Here is the Monday, June 9th lineup!
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM Gen Z Wants In: Unlocking the Next Generation of Creativity
In today’s evolving design industry, engaging Gen Z talent is key to building future-focused workplaces. Designing Together: Engaging Gen Z Talent in Interior Design explores the unique perspectives and skills Gen Z brings to the field, offering leaders actionable strategies to foster a productive, inclusive, and creative environment. This session includes a student panel, providing firsthand insights into what motivates and empowers the next generation of designers.
Speakers:
Casey Martin NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C, IIDA
Assistant Professor of Interior Design, George Fox University
+ panel with the Student Winners of Formica’s 2025 FORM Student Innovation Competition
Casey Martin is an accomplished Interior Designer specializing in education and commercial workplace design. As the founder of Reverie Design Studio, she focuses on creating innovative learning environments, integrating technology and accommodating diverse learning styles. In addition to her professional practice, Casey leads the Interior Design program at George Fox University outside of Portland, Oregon, as an Assistant Professor. Under her leadership, the program has experienced a 200% increase in enrollment over four years and has earned national recognition, winning the IIDA Campus Center of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024. Passionate about design education, Casey is dedicated to shaping the next generation of designers and advancing the field of Interior Design through mentorship and innovative pedagogy.
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM The Modern Workplace Revolution: What’s Working and What’s Next
In this captivating 20-minute presentation, we’ll explore the dynamic landscape of today’s workplace, unveiling the key factors driving change across industries. As organizations grapple with unprecedented challenges, we’ll delve into the fundamental shifts reshaping how and where we work. By the end of this talk, you’ll be equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and practical insights to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Whether you’re a business leader, facilities manager, or simply curious about the future of work, this presentation promises to deliver valuable takeaways for creating more effective and adaptable work environments.
Speaker:
Susan Chang, Senior Vice President, Workplace Design Advisory, JLL Design
With nearly 30 years of experience in Interior Design and Consulting Leadership, Susan Chang has successfully led complex projects across North America and internationally. Her portfolio spans corporate offices, post-secondary institutions, retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.
Susan’s expertise extends to change engagement facilitation, helping clients navigate operational and organizational transitions. At JLL, she leads the national Workplace Design Advisory division, overseeing Real Estate Optimization, Workplace Strategy, Functional Programming, Design Services, and Change Engagement.
1:30 – 1:50 PM Mic Up, Stand Out: How Podcasting Supercharges Your Brand
Discover how to use podcasting to tell powerful brand stories, connect with your audience, and stand out in the marketplace. Learn practical tips to turn your voice into a tool for influence and innovation.
Speaker:
Nicole Lashae Hall, CEO & Design Strategist, Thrive In Design
Nicole Lashae (Ben) Hall, MA, is the Founder and CEO of Thrive In Design, where she combines over 17 years of experience in interior design and business strategy to help interior product companies elevate brand awareness and revenue. A graduate of Syracuse University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, Nicole developed the proprietary A.C.E. The Journey™ method to enhance customer experience and empower sales teams. She has partnered with brands like Cambria, Koroseal, and USAI Lighting, driving over $15 million in revenue. Nicole believes that companies thrive when they align design excellence with a human-centered approach.
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Doodle to Innovate: How Small Scribbles Spark Big Ideas
Discover how doodling can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and spark new ideas. Simple sketches activate the brain’s relaxation response, improve problem-solving, and enhance mental clarity. Doodling is a simple yet powerful tool for boosting creativity and generating breakthroughs, making it a valuable practice for anyone in design, business, and beyond.
Speaker:
Rochelle Porter, CEO / Creative Director, Rochelle Porter Design
Rochelle Porter has never met a blank surface she didn’t want to draw on. A lifelong lover of global design traditions, the Atlanta-based artist takes cues from her Caribbean roots, the stark simplicity of Scandinavian design, and West African weaving techniques to create luxury wallpaper and vibrant textiles for hospitality, commercial, and residential interiors. Her patterns feature unexpected bursts of color and classic motifs with a fresh, modern twist.
True to her brand’s tagline, “Design for Abundant Living,” Rochelle aims to infuse joy into everyday objects, making even the mundane extraordinary. She believes everyone who interacts with her products should experience abundance and beauty, from the production team to the end user. To that end, RPD prioritizes sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and the use of organic materials when possible.
Rochelle’s work has been featured in Hospitality Design, Business of Home, Designers Today, House Beautiful, and a host of other media outlets. Her home accessories collections are available on WestElm.com, Wayfair and more. Rochelle Porter Design is a certified Woman-Owned Business. To learn more, visit rochelleporter.com.
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM Is Your Furniture Talking? AI’s Role in Workplace Evolution
Imagine a workplace where your desk nudges you to stretch, your chair adapts to improve focus, and your conference table seamlessly records every idea.Melissa Marsh, a leader in workplace innovation and founder of PLASTARC, teams up with a collaborator from Logitech to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming workspaces into dynamic, responsive environments that engage and support users. AI is no longer just a tool for efficiency; it’s reshaping how we interact with our surroundings. Smart furniture, advanced devices, interconnected technologies, AI-driven building systems, and real-time data analytics are creating spaces that learn, adapt, and actively support healthier, more productive behaviors. By balancing hardware and software, workplaces can go beyond optimizing space and energy use to fostering creativity, movement, and collaboration.
Speaker:
Melissa Marsh, Founder and CEO, PLASTARC
Melissa Marsh is an expert in Workplace Strategy and a leader in Change Management services. She has defined a career in workplace innovation by embedding the added value of real estate strategy within design, architecture and master planning projects around the world.
Working in both Europe and the US, Melissa has been on the forefront of delivering alternative workplace solutions, and has led virtual teams throughout her career. She has contributed to courses for CoreNet and Worktech, spearheaded international learning and technology initiatives, and lectured at UVA, Cornell and MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM Living Architecture: Designing Spaces That React, Adapt & Inspire
What if architecture could intuitively respond to human thoughts and emotions? Join Filippo Lodi and Ren Yee from UNS as they delve into the transformative impact of merging cognitive psychology with cutting-edge technologies like eye-tracking and virtual reality. Learn how these groundbreaking innovations are reshaping the design process, crafting environments that actively adapt to improve our well-being and productivity.
Speakers:
Filippo Lodi, Director, Senior Architect, and Ren Yee, Associate Director, Senior Architect, UNStudio
Filippo Lodi is a Director redefining architecture through insight-driven design, experience innovation, and human-centric solutions. Leading a multidisciplinary team of architects, interior designers, urban planners, creative strategists, and product designers, he integrates strategic thinking with design execution, ensuring environments are not just visually compelling but deeply purposeful.
With a background spanning architecture, urban design, and product innovation, Filippo connects digital interfaces, physical spaces, and emerging technologies to anticipate human needs and shape future experiences. Since 2008, he has spearheaded pioneering projects such as the Porsche Retail Experience in Changsha, KTC (Karle Town Centre), a future-forward urban district in Bangalore, WASL Tower, a high-performance mixed-use skyscraper in Dubai, the Osaka Ferris Wheel, an engineering and experiential landmark in Japan, and The Coolest White, an ultra-durable paint mitigating urban heat.
Beyond design, Filippo advances the industry dialogue by challenging conventional thinking. Through workshops, guest critiques, and lectures at Harvard GSD, The Bartlett, TU Darmstadt, and the University of Bologna, he shifts the focus from aesthetics to strategic, research-driven impact.
By bridging research, strategy, and execution, Filippo ensures design is not just seen but truly felt, understood, and transformative.
Ren Yee, Associate Director at UNS, is a recognized leader at the intersection of design, innovation, and technology. Since joining UNS in 2008, Ren has led innovative strategies and design projects across various fields, including architecture, transportation, mobility and urban planning. His expertise goes beyond traditional design to include health, economics, and technology consultancy, where he advises clients on strategies to future-proof their operations and integrate cutting-edge technologies seamlessly.
Leading a multidisciplinary team of strategists and consultants – from placemaking experts and user researchers to technology and innovation specialists, brand strategists, and future forecasters, he bring a unique holistic approach to projects. His work is marked by a strong emphasis on innovation, community value, and user-centered design.
As an Adjunct Professor at IE Business School and a sought-after speaker, Ren advocates for technology solutions that enhance life quality and promote sustainable urban development. Ren’s visionary approach is clearly seen in his contributions to major projects such as the Austin Light Rail, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and the Hardt Hyperloop. His commitment to user-centric, empathetic design merges digital and physical spaces to create environments that are innovative and focused on human needs. This approach not only sets new standards in the industry but also redefines how design can enhance human experiences.
See you in Chicago on Monday, June 9th!
And plan to join us for Day 2 too – see the line up here.
