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exhibitor's guide

overall overview

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  • Meet the partnerhotels

    We’ve partnered with select hotels in the heart of Antwerp to offer exclusive discounts for ADW visitors.

    Use the code ANTADW2025 to unlock your special discount!

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    Clients can book shuttles themselves, but companies can also arrange transportation for their guests.

    Book your shuttle online (coming soon) or call our dispatch service (details available soon).

    We aim to ensure seamless and efficient transportation between districts.

  • Join us at The Club for an Experiential Dinner, where design, gastronomy, and inspiring conversations come together.

     

    More than just dining out, this is an exclusive evening for business owners, managers, and top clients to connect in a refined setting.

    Find more info and preregistere here: https://form.typeform.com/to/OwmbElxy

  • We’re offering exclusive small-group tours led by Tanguy Ottomer, Antwerp’s renowned city expert. Book a walk for your VIP clients and let them experience the city through his unique insights. Find out more info soon!

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understand the event

  • Fifteen years ago, the idea for Antwerp Design and Decovalley (ADDV) was born during a train ride. 

    Geert-Jan Van Cauwelaert, co-founder of XLBoom, and his close friend Philippe Delaisse, co-founder of Ethnicraft, brainstormed about uniting Antwerp’s design world in one place. This vision quickly took shape, leading to the launch of the first ADW guide., showcasing like-minded Antwerp companies as a collective and highlighting the city itself.

    Over 15 years, the group grew to 15 permanent members, publishing annual guides that laid the foundation for Antwerp Design Week. When international design fairs were canceled during the pandemic, Belgian companies joined forces to create their own event, leveraging their years of collaboration.

    Antwerp Design Week 2023 – Edition 0
    The inaugural Edition 0 in 2023 was a modest start with 31 companies but set the stage for growth.  

    Antwerp Design Week 2024 – Edition 1
    Edition 1 in 2024 was a breakthrough: visitors tripled, and participating brands doubled to over 50. Praised by both visitors and brands, it solidified Antwerp Design Week as a growing international platform.

     

    Antwerp Design Week remains committed to fostering collaboration, strengthening connections, and spotlighting Belgian design on the global stage.

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    Both now and in the future, we stand for authenticity, surprising experiences, quality, sustainability, and interaction.

    The event primarily targets professionals but also welcomes design enthusiasts. By placing hospitality at its core, we create an environment where strong connections are fostered between designers, suppliers, buyers, and passionate visitors.

    Our goal is to attract engaged visitors and enable business growth. At the same time, we do not rule out developing an "awareness" initiative in the dynamic District Downtown, aiming to inspire a broader audience.

    Our core values are our compass: to continue surprising exclusively, to highlight the beauty and unique character of Antwerp, and to transform Belgian design into a strong and recognizable global concept.

    Beyond hosting the event, ADW serves as a unifying force for the Belgian design community, fostering collaboration and growth among its members.

    Antwerp Design Week’s mission is to establish Belgian design as a globally recognized concept.

    • Founder: Geert-Jan Van Cauwelaert, who dreams of uniting the design world into a strong and cohesive entity (gj@xlboom.com )

    • Project Lead: Emma Vanbeckevoort, overseeing and excecuting the whole event (info@adw.life)

    • Board of Directors: Geert-Jan Van Cauwelaert, Stefan Dusart (Ethnicraft), and Johan Van Maercke (Goodwill).

    As ADW grows, partnerships play a crucial role. Collaborations with major organizations such as

    Stad Antwerpen, Fedustria, and FlandersDC help realize our mission. Additionally, many other partners contribute to the event’s success and ongoing development.

    Antwerp Design Week is managed by a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Belgian and high-quality design.

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    As we approach the third edition, we’ve taken the opportunity to reimagine our visuals. Our aim is to embody a look that is not only stylish and timeless but also bold, exciting, and full of surprises.

    Shaping the story

  • Fedustria - powers ' The Club'

    Fedustria is a key organization in the industrial sector, dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability. With strong industry roots, they promote modern technologies and eco-friendly practices while fostering collaboration among established companies, startups, and research institutions. Their support for initiatives like The Club reflects their commitment to building a forward-thinking, sustainable industrial ecosystem.

    ManuPort - powers logistics

    Manuport plays a crucial role as the logistics sponsor. Leveraging their expertise in transportation and logistics, they ensure that visitors can use shuttles. This support guarantees good navigation, contributing to a seamless experience for all participants.

    FlandersDC - powers Young Creatives

    FlandersDC is dedicated to connecting with young creatives and nurturing emerging talent. With a keen focus on innovation, they provide an inspiring platform where young creative minds can develop their ideas and collaborate on groundbreaking projects. This partnership enriches The Club’s dynamic, future-focused environment.

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    Multiple Districts - Downtown | North | East | South | West 

    Antwerp Design Week spans multiple districts, making it easy to explore the broader Antwerp metropolitan area. Here's an overview of the districts and the transport options available:

    Districts

    • District Downtown (City Center): The heart of Antwerp, ideal for walking and biking.

    • District North (Wijnegem): A 20-minute drive from Downtown.

    • District East (Herenthout): About a 30-minute drive from Downtown.

    • District South (Kontich): A 20-minute drive from Downtown.

    • District West (Hoboken - Boom): Between 10 and 30 minutes’ drive from Downtown, depending on the exact location.

    The districts are closely connected, reflecting the compact scale of Belgian cities. Unlike sprawling international metropolises where long commutes are the norm, Antwerp’s districts are accessible and easy to navigate. Viewing Antwerp as a metropolitan area rather than just the city center ensures these short distances are no obstacle.

    Transport Within District Downtown

    In the City Center, visitors are encouraged to explore on foot or by bike for a more immersive experience. This year, shuttles will also run along the ‘Kaai,’ connecting the northern and southern ends of the city for added convenience.

    Visit Points - BUSINESS VS. DISCOVER POINTS

    Discover Points are the heart of the Design Lover Walk, welcoming both B2C design lovers and B2B professionals. These locations feature innovative design brands, creative exhibitions, unique installations, and open events where visitors can connect with brand stories and even purchase exclusive pieces.

    Business Points are tailored for B2B professionals, offering spaces for networking, business-focused events, and fostering supplier connections. They showcase premium brands in temporary showrooms and young creatives in collaborative YC Hubs.

    Transport in and between districts 

    To ensure smooth travel between districts, we’ve partnered with Polestar, Get Driven, and our Transport Dispatch service. Key features include:

    • Booking Options: Visitors and exhibitors can book transport online or through our Transport Dispatch team.

    • Contact Information: The transport dispatch number will be available on our mobile app and website.

    • Advance Booking: A booking link will be provided for scheduling trips in advance.

    With these services, navigating the Antwerp metropolitan area during Design Week will be seamless and stress-free.

    Transport in District Downtown

    Visitors can navigate District Downtown during Antwerp Design Week through several convenient transportation options:

    • Walking: Many showrooms and hubs are within walking distance, allowing visitors to easily explore the area on foot.

    • Cycling: Complimentary bike vouchers are available at 'The Club,' enabling visitors to use city bikes for quick and eco-friendly travel between locations.

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    Premium Brands

    Established design brands that can set up B2B showrooms (Business Points) to connect exclusively with professionals or host a Discover Point in District Downtown to engage with both B2B and B2C visitors. Discover Points can include installations in galleries, collaborations with local retailers, or temporary creative setups.​

    Young creatives

    Emerging designers featured in a YC Hub, a collective space that serves as both a Business Point and a Discover Point. This platform allows them to showcase their work, connect with clients, and gain broader visibility.

    Unique Installations

    Creative projects developed in collaboration with partners, showcased as Discover Points. These installations focus on storytelling and brand awareness, offering an engaging experience for visitors on the Design Lover Walk.

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    Who are the visitors of Antwerp Design Week? 

    • Design Lovers (B2C): Individuals exploring the Discover Points in District Downtown via the Design Lover Walk, connecting with brands, attending events, and purchasing unique pieces.

    • Design Professionals (B2B): Architects, retailers, and buyers seeking business opportunities, exploring both Businesspoints and Discover Points for impactful connections.

    How do they get informed before their visit? 

    • Inspiration and awareness: Visitors are encouraged to attend Antwerp Design Week through various channels, including targeted campaigns on social media, brochures, mailings, and more.

    • Invitations and registration: Visitors are informed by participating brands or receive a personal invitation if they are part of the Antwerp Design Week database. Starting in March, they can register and create a personal QR code. This code provides personalized access to the event and helps the organization gain valuable insights about the attendees.

    • Planning the visit: Through the website, visitors can access all practical information to organize their visit. From locations and exclusive events to discount codes and transportation options, everything is available to help create a tailored plan.

    How does the perfect visit to ADW look like? 

    • Welcome to The Club: Upon arrival, visitors can stop by The Club, the central information point. Here, they will find an overview of all activities and can arrange transportation, either by phone or on-site. The Club also serves as a platform for special events, such as panel discussions, design shows, and inspiring talks.

    • Business Points (for professionals): Professionals can attend exclusive events and visit showrooms in various districts. These spaces showcase extensive collections and brands in a clear and organized manner, simplifying and enhancing the buying process.

    • Discover Points on the Design Lover Walk (for everyone): Both professionals and design enthusiasts can explore the creative Discover Points on the Design Lover Walk in District Downtown. This unique feature adds an extra dimension to the event, offering inspiration in an accessible and dynamic setting. The route is actively promoted through social media and other communication channels.

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    ​PROFESSIONALS 

    • BUSINESSPOINTS open for professionals only in all districts. 

    • DESIGN LOVER WALK with Discover Points: Inspirational showcases for design lovers in district Downtown.

    • Events in The Club 

    • Events hosted by premium brands, young creatives or unique installations

    DESIGN LOVERS 

    • DESIGN LOVER WALK with Discover Points: Inspirational showcases for design lovers in district Downtown. 

    • Events in The Club 

    • Events hosted by brands open for design lovers. 

    What is the B2B program (professionals) and what is the B2C program (design lovers)?

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    It serves as both a central information hub and a place for memorable experiences.

    Convenience features include:

    • A hostess desk,

    • Transport services,

    • An information point.

    Experiential highlights include:

    • Exclusive events,

    • Inspiring talks by distinguished speakers.

    Address: 

    Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai 12,

    2000 Antwerp Belgium

    The Club - powered by Fedustrai - is the vibrant heart of Antwerp Design Week, located at the iconic venue "12" by Aim Architecture at the Kattendijkdok.

  • The Businesspoints are specifically designed for B2B-visitors to facilitate networking, foster new supplier connections, and provide a platform for business-oriented interactions. These locations also host events tailored exclusively for B2B visitors.

     

    The Business Points showcase:

    1) premium brands in temporary showrooms

    2) young creatives in YC HUBS

    Business Points

    Discover Points form the heart of the Design Lover Walk and the event program during Antwerp Design Week. These locations serve as key destinations for both B2C design lovers and B2B professionals, offering a curated map and agenda highlighting the must-visit design hotspots.

     

    At these points, visitors can:

    1) Explore innovative design brands, creative exhibitions, and installations.

    2) Connect with the stories behind the designs and the brands.

    3) Attend open event

    4) Purchase one-of-a-kind design pieces.

     

    The Discover Points showcase:

    1) Design showcases and brand stories by premium brands.

    2) YC Hubs, where emerging designers collaborate

    3) Unique installations, bringing bold creativity to the forefront.

    Discover Points

shuttle system

This year, we are once again partnering with Antwerp Tax and Get Driven to provide a seamless shuttle service for our visitors. This year our shuttles will be provided by our new Gold Sponsor BWM.

 

Guests can pre-book a personal shuttle (maximum 4 people per car) to take them to their next destination.

During ADW, a dedicated transport dispatch will be available, with the contact number to be announced soon.

Booking options:

  1. Visitors and companies can reserve a car in advance via our booking system.

  2. Alternatively, they can call the dispatch service during ADW to arrange a ride on demand.

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the club - powered by Fedustria

For ease of planning, we offer a dedicated hostess desk, transport services, and a comprehensive information point.

 

But The Club is more than just a practical for visitors —it’s a space for unforgettable experiences too. They can enjoy an expo of curated items of premium brands, exclusive events, network with fellow design enthusiasts, and be inspired by thought-provoking talks from distinguished speakers.

 

Whether visitors need guidance or inspiration, The Club is their go-to destination during Antwerp Design Week.

 

For exhibitors, The Club is the place to be in the evening. Each night, they can enjoy a curated experience, including exclusive dinners with their top buyers.

stay up to date

You keep track of the timeline for upcoming deadlines, which you will also be notified of via email. Participate in the online meetings to stay informed about all developments. In the meantime you can have a look at the ‘live update’ platform where you will find updates about the newest participants, updates about the event program, registered visitors and updates about the design lover walk. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at info@adw.life or contact us by phone.

Dates Q&A sessions ​

  • April: 10 April at 16:00.

  • May: 15 May at 16:00.

hospitality

Hospitality is all about creating memorable experiences that go beyond the ordinary. By prioritizing great hospitality, you ensure visitors feel valued while building lasting connections with your brand.

Every interaction counts. Show appreciation, make it personal, and leave a lasting impression. Find a inspiration talk about hospitality from Jasmijn Verlinden here.

visibility

In addition to the communication efforts by Antwerp Design Week, we encourage each participating brand to actively inform their own customers through mailings and social media. This will enhance the visibility of your presence at the event. Use our convenient mailing templates (available in the download kit on the ADW-onboarding-platform) to streamline your communication and ensure a professional touch.

Make sure to complete all documents and answer all questions in the 'upload' section of the onboarding platform. The more high-quality information you provide, the better quality content the organization can create.

merchandising

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ADW map

ADW design guide

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ADW V-sign

ADW floor stickers

A few weeks before the event starts, every location will receive a merch kit.

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ADW totebag

ADW beach flag

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General info

June 1-5, 2025

10:00 - 18:00 

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