Monday kicked off the first day of NeoCon, the annual trade show for contract furnishings at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. V+P is reporting from the Windy City with our Day 1 experience.

We hit Majora Carter’s keynote speech, sponsored by our client, Allsteel. Majora, a Bronx native and founder of the Sustainable South Bronx, a work placement program for “green” jobs, discussed her inspiring mission to revitalize the Bronx by creating eco-friendly initiatives that also provide local jobs. One of my favorites: Green roofs! Majora has one on her home where she actually grows strawberries! Beyond the awe- inspiring iniatives, Majora shared one rather funny term…Le Bronx, which in French, is slang for “Hot Mess!” A term that she is undoubtedly working to eliminate.

At Allsteel, where Esther and I wgreeted press friends, spirits were high: Allsteel raked in FOUR Best of NeoCon Awards! Stride Benching and Storage earned Gold for Systems Enhancements, while Seek earned Silver for Guest Seating and Gold for Stacking Chair.  The Height Adjustable Worksurface also took away Silver in Height Adjustable category.

But Allsteel wasn’t just buzzing with A+D and press Monday…we also had a World Cup following that gathered in our lobby area!

Now off for a steak dinner! I won a bet with Esther and she is a woman of her word! More tomorrow!