Author: Kevin Johnson, VP of Sales
One of the best parts of spending four days at NeoCon is the opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping tomorrow’s spaces.
Our team spoke with designers, architects, dealers, facility leaders, and end users from across the country. While every project was different, the conversations consistently centered around a handful of themes.
They weren’t focused on current trends or buzzwords. They reflected meaningful shifts in how people are thinking about the built environment and what products can support better working, learning, and living. Here are four questions that we heard throughout the show.
Customization used to be viewed as a nice-to-have. Today, it is a necessity. Designers are creating spaces that tell a story, reflect a brand, and support unique user needs. As a result, they’re looking for products that can adapt to their vision rather than forcing them into a standard option.
We discussed everything from custom sizes to full wall installations. We discussed our graphics capabilities for everything from education to healthcare. We discussed application-specific solutions across workplace, education, healthcare, and hospitality projects. There is a clear need for flexibility and functionality, and designers are looking for manufacturers that want to bring their vision to life.
NeoCon is first and foremost a source of inspiration. One of the most rewarding conversations we have is when someone asks how a product is being used in the real world. People didn’t ask about features; they wanted to understand outcomes.
How are schools using outdoor collaboration spaces? How are hospitals managing installs? What applications benefit from magnet-mounted installation?
We were able to discuss the successes hospitals have seen in integrating our changeable glass boards into patient rooms. For designers looking into historical preservation, solutions like Flyte Duo that don’t need to puncture the wall during installation are ideal for projects that have to be cognizant of asbestos.
Beyond looking at what a whiteboard does, designers are looking for how products contribute to the overall experience and usability of a space.
Sustainability remains a critical topic, but the conversation around it is evolving.
Rather than focusing on a single specification or certification, many attendees wanted to understand the bigger picture. They asked about material choices, manufacturing processes, durability, and product lifespan.
It was an exciting time for conversations about our processes: creating fully recyclable solutions like Flyte Duo, integrating solar into our manufacturing process to offset energy usage, and using water-based paints on our glassboards to reduce VOCs.
What we heard repeatedly was a desire to balance environmental responsibility with long-term performance. Designers are increasingly evaluating products through the lens of lifecycle value: how long will it last? What sort of maintenance does this require? What is the warranty?
Those questions reinforce what we already believe: sustainability starts with products you don’t have to replace.
Durability came up repeatedly, especially as the conversation expanded into outdoor environments.
As organizations continue investing in exterior spaces such as courtyards, patios, rooftop areas, expectations for performance are evolving. The focus is not only about whether a product looks good outdoors, but on how well it can withstand prolong sun exposure, moisture, temperature changes, and constant use.
That’s where conversations naturally connected back to our Outdoor Collection. Designers and our team discussed how we carefully selected durable materials and finishes that ensure weather resistance while maintaining structural integrity over time.
Ultimately, the question wasn’t simply “how durable was it?” It became: how do you extend communication and collaboration spaces outdoors without sacrificing longevity, performance, or design integrity?
Our theme for NeoCon this year was “It’s just a whiteboard…”
This theme was about poking fun at ourselves, but it was also about something bigger, which is what are the intangibles that come with our products, and the problems that we are trying to solve.
People aren’t looking for a whiteboard, glassboard, or a collaboration tool simply because they are trying to fill a space. They are looking for solutions that their clients will use to help them communicate, collaborate, and learn more efficiently.
They are also looking for manufacturers that want to build relationships, not just transactions. They are looking for customer service, dependable lead times, and options for every budget. That’s where real differentiation happens.
This year’s questions highlighted a desire for personalization, flexibility, sustainability, and purposeful design. More importantly, they reinforced the idea that communication and collaboration continue to play a vital role in the spaces we create.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our showroom, shared ideas, and asked great questions. The conversation we had this year will continue to shape how we think about products, partnerships, and the future of visual communication.
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