We officially wrapped up NeoCon 2016 last week, and we were thrilled with the response we received to our showroom. Since the event packs a lot into a short three days, we asked Jeremy Bowman, Vice President of National Sales for Coalesse, to share some of the highlights and trends from the show.
What were the primary trends you heard about at NeoCon?
In no particular order:
What was popular in the Coalesse showroom? What were designers most excited about?
Our Customization story which, was very apparent in—
Everyone is looking for a way to differentiate themselves, including our target audience, A&D, and many are doing so through specifying the “eclectic” or following the primary trends mentioned above.
Our story was exciting because we shared a context larger than just “new products.”
We featured applications that allowed designers and users to Personalize settings, through our customization capabilities, as a means to tell a story (design and research— think Steelcase Engagement), support work styles and allow for designer and user choice and control (customization — think Coalesse Participate: The Culture of Customization piece) as opposed to just spreading eclectic/residential/wood-legged furniture around.
Our story was on display with our new offerings + concepts AND with existing Coalesse products. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery and there was plenty on display in other areas of the Mart. Variations of the Bob Chair, Millbrae, Circa, and now Lagunitas, are plentiful. Coalesse has been successfully selling to our audiences before the current ancillary trends and are continuing to allow designers and clients to make these products/settings their own in new and different ways.
The Front Porch featuring Carl Hansen & Son Oculus Chair, Wishbone Chair and a new concept Exponents credenza.
What was your favorite setting or product?
Too many to limit to a favorite but will shorten to 2 for myself and the 1 I received the most comments—
1. My Room featuring LessThanFive Great setting to tell our Participate story and set the stage for the rest of the tour.
2. Tie. The Lobby Lounge and The Living Room. Both featured Customization (cross + contrasting stitch in Millbrae, paint on SW_1, etc.) but I also enjoyed that visual comfort and cohesion were on display (SW-1, various Carl Hansen & Son, Millbrae, Exponents, Emu, CG_1, Arzu, etc. all working and looking great together).
Coalesse’s the Living Room setting from NeoCon 2016 featuring Carl Hansen & Son, Millbrae Lifestyle Lounge Seating and Emu Heaven Pouf.
3. I received the most unsolicited compliments on The Hideaway. People loved the Exponents privacy screen vs. a traditional panel, glass wall or felt screen. It also allowed users to experience the Massaud Lounge Seating and Hosu in a natural setting.
Coalesse’s the Hideaway featuring Hosu Lounge Seating and a concept privacy screen.
What made Coalesse stand out this year?
Our depth — there was relevant story + focal point woven into various settings, again Customization, tied into the Steelcase story, Engagement, in addition to a great product offering (prevents us from drowning into the sea of sameness and look-a-like products). And the moss wall…..our guests loved it!
Work’s a Picnic featuring Potrero415 Table with custom top and utilities and Massaud Conference Seating.
How was this NeoCon different from all the other years you’ve attended?
White benching work stations with metal legs were replaced with residential settings….everywhere. All the more reason for us to know and tell our story.
