# Joe's Top 5 Product Picks - NeoCon 2022
Returning to NeoCon this year was nothing short of exhilarating. After reconnecting with industry colleagues and diving deep into emerging trends, most of us walked away from the Mart buzzing with inspiration for what lies ahead.
With organizations navigating the complexities of hybrid workforces, I was particularly drawn to products designed to bridge the gap between in-person and remote workers. The standout pieces on my list all share common threads: they prioritize versatility, embrace residential aesthetics without compromising durability, and address the real challenges facing today's workplaces.
Here are my five favorite discoveries from NeoCon 2022.
## 5. Established & Sons Island Bench
This versatile bench seating system transforms underutilized spaces into collaborative hubs. With multiple configuration options, Island creates inviting spots for people to sit, perch, or lounge while turning high-traffic areas into functional gathering spaces.
**Why it made the list:** The minimalist design feels premium without being precious, and it gives workers the freedom to grab their laptop and find a comfortable spot away from their desk. It's the kind of piece that makes in-between spaces actually useful.
## 4. West Elm Health Collection
The partnership between West Elm and Steelcase delivers healthcare furniture that doesn't feel clinical. This collection maintains West Elm's signature residential warmth while incorporating essential healthcare features like appropriate recline angles, metal legs, crumb sweep details, and high-performance fabrics.
**Why it made the list:** Finally, a healthcare line that patients and families actually want to spend time around. It proves you don't have to sacrifice style for the demanding requirements of clinical environments.
## 3. Steelcase Flex Personal Spaces
This Interior Design HiP Award finalist addresses one of the biggest challenges in open offices: the need for instant privacy. The collection allows workers to quickly adapt their environment for video calls or focused work, providing both audio and visual barriers that can be reconfigured on demand.
**Why it made the list:** In our video-first work culture, having control over your background and privacy level is crucial. The mobility and flexibility make it practical for real workplace scenarios.
## 2. HALCON HELM
This award-winning executive desk swept the Best of NeoCon awards in multiple categories. HELM combines luxurious materials with seamless technology integration and an unexpectedly elegant height-adjustable mechanism. It's proof that wellness features don't require compromising on sophisticated design.
**Why it made the list:** This is hands-down the most elegant height-adjustable executive desk I've encountered. The classic aesthetic makes wellness technology feel refined rather than utilitarian.
## 1. Microsoft x Steelcase Hybrid Collaboration Table
My top pick addresses one of the most pressing issues in modern workplaces: meeting equity. Through research with Microsoft and Gensler, Steelcase discovered that shifting from portrait to landscape orientation creates more equitable hybrid experiences. This table brings cameras to eye level and optimizes screen positioning, making remote participants feel truly present.
**Why it's my number one:** This table solves the fundamental problem of multi-presence meetings. Everyone can be seen and heard clearly, whether they're in the room or joining remotely. It makes distance feel smaller and transforms how teams collaborate across locations.
## The Hybrid Future
These products reflect a broader shift in commercial design—one that acknowledges the permanent changes in how we work. The best solutions don't just accommodate hybrid work; they make it better than what came before. As we design spaces for this new reality, these innovations point the way toward workplaces that truly serve everyone, regardless of where they choose to work.
