NeoCon 2022 Award Winners

OFS and Carolina take home 10 awards at NeoCon 2022

by Aaron Estabrook

CHICAGO, June 13, 2022 -- The design industry-recognized OFS and Carolina with honors during NeoCon 2022, North America’s largest design exhibition and conference for commercial and healthcare interiors. OFS and Carolina took home a combined total of 10 awards during the show, including a “HiP Furniture Leader” honor which was awarded to OFS’ Maria VanDeman, as well as a Sustainability Award for the Zero chair by OFS.

“As an organization, we are so proud and appreciative of the recognition received at this year’s show,” said OFS VP of Workplace, Molly Prior. “This recognition further validates and strengthens our purpose, which is to enhance the lives of those that interact with our products and to create better experiences within the workplace. We are a company that is committed to one thing above all else, and it’s the people we serve each and every day.”

Maria VanDeman, District Sales Manager at OFS, received the prestigious recognition as the winner of a HiP Leader Award from Interior Design at NeoCon 2022. Focused on industry people and innovative products, the HiP awards recognize and honor pioneers and achievements in the commercial design industry.

“It's an honor to be recognized as the HiP furniture manufacturer leader in this incredibly creative, dynamic, and hardworking design industry," said VanDeman. "I continue to be humbled by the opportunities to be welcomed into rooms and circles where I can use my voice for the good of many. I'm grateful for the recognition, and even more motivated to continue leading in the work I love.”

This is the second year in a row that OFS has won in this category, as Doug Shapiro, Vice President of Research and Insights at OFS, took home the HiP Leadership Award in 2021.

Carolina, an OFS company, also came away with a string of awards from NeoCon 2022, netting a HiP award for Sorta in the Furniture and Seating category, as well as 3 silver honors in the “Best of NeoCon” competition.

“As a company focused on the value of design, Carolina appreciates the recognition received from the various product award programs. That recognition is, in many ways, a validation of our hard work and investments in making end-users lives better through design.” - Stan Gray, OFS VP, Healthcare & Hospitality.

Carolina introduced 6 new products at this year’s NeoCon, of which was Sorta, the new healthcare seating solution designed by Gecco Vision. Sorta received 3 awards from the show, which included 2 silvers in the “Best of NeoCon” competition.

Sorta was imagined for flexibility, blurring the lines between healthcare, workplace, and education to create a true solution that can adapt to a user's needs. This playful seating design showcases a wide variety of color options, usage options, and innovation. Caregivers can lean back, settling into a time of connection with a patient or coworker.

NeoCon 2022 Awards List

Metropolis Likes: 

Zero (designed by Magnus Olesen) - Metropolis Likes

Interior Design's HiP Award Winners:

Fleet (designed by Webb Associates) - Conference Table - Workplace

Sorta (designed by Gecco Vision for Carolina) - Furniture & Seating - Health and Wellness

Maria VanDeman - HiP Furniture Leader - Manufacturer

Best of NeoCon Winners:

Gold for Kaleid (designed by Webb Associates) - FURNITURE > Workplace Accessories

Silver for Ansel (designed by Q Design for Carolina) - HEALTHCARE > Guest & Lounge Seating

Silver for Sorta (designed by Gecco Vision for Carolina) - HEALTHCARE > Patient Seating

Silver for Sorta (designed by Gecco Vision for Carolina) - FURNITURE > Education Solutions

Silver for Fleet (designed by Webb Associates) - FURNITURE > Collections for Collaboration

Sustainability Award for Zero (designed by Magnus Olesen)

NeoCon 2022: Step inside the OFS Chicago showroom

NeoCon 2022: Step inside the Carolina Chicago showroom

About OFS

OFS is a family-owned contract furniture manufacturer dedicated to crafting experiences and products that contribute to places where people want to be. Founded in 1937, OFS provides furniture and logistics solutions for office, healthcare, education, lifestyle, government, and home office markets worldwide, offering seating products, tables, casegoods, and open plan products. OFS is based in Huntingburg, Indiana.

About Carolina

For over 75 years, Carolina has designed and manufactured quality furniture for customers around the globe. Founded in 1947, Carolina has constantly evolved their products and expanded their knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow’s challenges, as well as today’s. Carolina is based in High Point, NC and was acquired by OFS Brands in 2007. Due to the unique connection to OFS, Carolina can also draw from their full offering of products designed for administrative working spaces.