NeoCon East, the commercial industry’s leading design convention, has announced its keynote speakers just in time for registration opening. The event, which will be held November 15 and 16 in Philadelphia, celebrates its 15th year of innovation-driven discussions and vendors shaping commercial spaces.
NeoCon has long catered to the workplace, healthcare, education, public space, hospitality, retail and government design realms. The convention will bring more than 200 companies to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, as well as a program list of 25 CEU-accredited seminars.
“From varied backgrounds, the 2017 NeoCon East keynotes all share a common thread of inclusive, human-centered design for the greater good,” says Monica DeBartolo, director of programming for NeoCon East. “We are thrilled to showcase these inspirational thought leaders—four influencers over two days—at the 15th-annual edition.”
Kicking off the keynote lineup is Suzette Subance Ferrier, studio design director at TPG Architecture and the latest recipient of Contract magazine’s annual Designer of the Year award.
Zena Howard, managing director at Perkins+Will and senior project manager for the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, follows with the Wednesday afternoon keynote.
Thursday’s presenters include David Insinga, chief architect of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service. Well-informed on federal architecture and design policy, Insinga had served as a director at Gensler prior to joining the federal workforce in the early 2000s.
Rounding out the keynote speakers is Alex Gilliam, founder and director of Philadelphia-based Public Workshop, which creates opportunities for youth and their communities to influence the design of their public spaces.
Register for NeoCon East here.
