This fall, Hoboken will welcome some of the biggest names in interior design to the first NorthEast Design Conference (NEDCON). The conference will also bring together more than 100 design pros, speakers, business leaders, and special guests for the three-day conference from October 5-7. The event’s founder is Jen Atkinson, owner of Hoboken-based interior design firm Clear Concept Design.
Atkinson chose to launch the conference on her home turf instead of across the Hudson in New York City. She plans to gather attendees from across the country and welcome them to the town where she grew her own business. Guests will enjoy three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, networking opportunities and an awards ceremony, while patronizing Hoboken’s hotels, eateries and businesses.
“I wanted NEDCON to happen in Hoboken,” offered Atkinson. “This is where I built my business, and I think there is something incredibly special about bringing people from across the country here and giving them an opportunity to experience our city.”
Some of the nationally and internationally recognized industry names speaking at the conference include LuAnn Nigara, celebrated entrepreneur and host of A Well-Designed Business®; Laurie Laizure, founder and managing director of Interior Design Community; multi-award-winning luxury interior designer Nikki Levy; London-based designer and keynote speaker Alex Dauley; 2025 KBB Person of the Year Sharon Sherman; New York staging expert Jason Saft; Texas builder-designer Erin Stetzer; and award-winning designer Beth Diana Smith; design industry podcaster Pamela Durkin.
One highlight of NEDCON will be the NEDCON2026 Gala Awards Ceremony. Among this year’s award recipients are Cheryl Eisen, founder of Interior Marketing Group; interior designer Nikki Levy; plus up-and-coming design talent Antonio DeLoatch. In addition, builder/designer Elizabeth Scruggs will receive the NEDCON Legacy of Leadership award.
NEDCON will focus on the day-to-day realities of running a design firm, including pricing, profitability, leadership, AI, client experience, operations, sales, marketing, networking and business development.
“NEDCON is designed to help designers build businesses that are every bit as exceptional as the spaces they create,” continued Atkinson. “Our goal is for every attendee to leave with stronger business strategies, valuable industry relationships and the confidence to take their firm to the next level.”
The conference is intentionally designed for a limited number of attendees, which will allow participants to network directly with the guest speakers, honorees, and industry professionals instead of getting lost in the crowd. The organizers hope to create opportunities for meaningful conversations and collaboration. The plan is to make NEDCON an annual Hoboken event.
“I would love for NEDCON to become something that Hoboken is known for hosting,” added Atkinson. “If people come to NEDCON because of the incredible speakers and education, and leave having fallen a little bit in love with Hoboken too, then we’ve accomplished something really special.”
NEDCON2026 will take place October 5–7 at the Antique Loft at Riverview in Hoboken. For more information, go to nedconference.com.
