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Joe's Top 5 Product Picks - NeoCon 2022

To say it felt great to be back at NeoCon this year would be a massive understatement. From reconnecting with friends and partners to being immersed in current trends, I would assume most of us left the Mart feeling inspired by what's to come. As most organizations are currently facing uncharted territory of mixed-presence employees, I was encouraged by many of the products that were designed to support a hybrid workforce and create an equal experience for in-person and remote workers. Beyond that, versatile and flexible lounge pieces and residential-inspired healthcare collections made my list for cultivating a beautiful experience without sacrificing durability or function. Here are my top 5 product pics from NeoCon 2022.

Established & Sons Island Bench

A versatile, space-optimizing bench seating system with a variety of configurations, Island gives in-between areas a collaborative, functional use. Inviting passersby to sit, perch or lounge, the understated design creates a central focal point for high-traffic communal environments.

Why it's a top pick: I love the minimalist and high-quality feel, and the ability to bring your laptop and work away from your desk.

West Elm Health

The combined expertise of West Elm and Steelcase help create inspiring spaces that meet the evolving needs of patients, families and clinicians. The West Elm Health Collection by Steelcase Health is created to hold up to the rigors of healthcare spaces while feeling welcoming and inviting. It includes features designed specifically for the clinical environment such as an appropriate recline, metal legs, crumb sweep and high-performance fabrics.

Why it's a top pick: I love that this collection has a classically West Elm residential look and feel but all the features of a contract grade healthcare line.

Microsoft x Steelcase Hybrid Collaboration Table

Through recent work with Microsoft and Gensler, Steelcase discovered that shifting space design from portrait to landscape creates a more equitable hybrid meeting experience for all attendees — in-person and remote. Co-designed and developed with Microsoft, the Hybrid Collaboration Table augments the Teams Room Front Row meeting experience. The table accommodates the appropriate camera angle and view of the large screen. It’s designed to bring the camera to eye-level height, allowing both in-room and remote participants to be more a part of the conversation.

Why it's my #1 pick: This collaboration table is my favorite hands-down because it solves a lot of the issues of multi-presence meeting equity, meaning everyone can easily be seen and heard both in the room and on screen. It makes the distance feel infinitely smaller and the ability to share content, whiteboard and chat is great.

Steelcase Flex Personal Spaces

Steelcase Flex Personal Spaces was a finalist for an Interior Design 2022 HiP Award. People want and need a place to call home where they can control and adapt their environment and the new Personal Spaces addition to the Steelcase Flex Collection offers them just that. Whether they need to get on a video call or do some heads-down focused work, Personal Spaces can be easily and quickly adapted to achieve the level of privacy people need. The simple and flexible set of products allows changes to be made fast and on demand.

Why it's a top pick: In today's world, this provides some degree of audio and visual privacy and an adjustable background which is great. The ease of mobility and flexibility are what make this one of my picks.

HALCON HELM

HALCON HELM won Best of NeoCon Gold in both conference tables and height adjustable furniture tables. HELM also won Best of NeoCon and Best of Competition. HELM is an executive desk and meeting table that is perfectly proportioned, appointed with luxurious materials, sleekly integrated with technology, and unexpectedly equipped with an adjustable-height surface.

Why it's a top pick: This is the most elegant height-adjustable executive desk that I've ever seen. I love the classic design aesthetic.