Antwerp Design Week (ADW) is a major event in June, spread across five districts in and around Antwerp, where design brands and young creatives showcase their collections to a diverse audience of retailers, professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts.
The essence of this design event is bringing our best B2B customers to Antwerp for a slow design experience paired with great hospitality and the vibrant life of Antwerp. The focus is on quality, not quantity, ensuring that each interaction is valuable and impactful.
Next edition spans from June 1-5, 2025.
For design brands, Antwerp Design Week is so much more: we aim to create a community of high-quality design brands that engage for cross-pollination at every level by hosting gatherings in the lead-up to our event in June.
participation possibilities
The goal of Antwerp Design Week is to create an inspiring international B2B boutique event, that is focused on professionals but also open for public design lovers.
Therefore, we bring together Belgian and international brands that have proven their quality and encourage cross-pollination. We have noticed that our clients greatly appreciate our approach to slow design combined with excellent hospitality.
Become our partner for the next edition!
faq
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.
Shaping the story
Total number of Design Brands: 54
Total number of Young Creatives: 18
Total number of Locations: 33
Total number of Events: 50
Online engagement
Site: Monthly visits: 4,337 with an average of 30,000 page views
Country visitors
Belgium: 59%, Netherlands: 18%, France: 6%, Germany: 5%, Italy: 1%, Spain: 1%, Switzerland: 1%, Luxembourg: 1%, United Kingdom: 1%, Other: 7%
Sector visitors
Interior architect: 29%, Retail: 28%, Designer: 14%, Architect: 9%, Hotel: 3%, Restaurant: 4%, Other: 13%
Visitors' exerperience
Visitors Overall experience: 4.18/5
Intention to visit ADW 2025: 100% Yes
Brand's exerperience
Overall impression: 3.82/5
Interest in edition 2025: 99% Yes
Antwerp Design Week’s mission is to establish Belgian design as a globally recognized concept.
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.
-
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.
-
ADW is more than an event; it’s a network fostering connections through Get Togethers, enabling exhibitors and designers to share ideas and collaborate.
The fee ensures professional event organization, partnerships, networking events, onboarding processes, scanning systems, and communication with 50,000 B2B contacts. Visitors benefit from free transport, guided tours, and info points. The organization focuses on gradual growth by curating high-quality brands, building partnerships with hotels, restaurants, and sponsors, offering free shuttles, a central info point, and hosting networking events.
Shaping the story
ADW acts as a matchmaker, offering a curated database of venues across Antwerp. If you already have a location in mind, you can directly share details with the team. ADW provides guidance throughout the planning process.
Yes, participating brands should budget for catering to ensure visitors are warmly welcomed with food and drinks.
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.
-
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
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.
-
INFO PARTICIPATING BRANDS
Total Number of Design Brands: 54
Total Number of Young Creatives: 18
Total Number of Locations: 33
Total Number of Events: 50
INFO VISITORS
Total Number of Registered B2B Clients: 2,751 individuals
Demographics: Belgium: 59%, Netherlands: 18%, France: 6%, Germany: 5%, Italy: 1%, Spain: 1%, Switzerland: 1%, Luxembourg: 1%, United Kingdom: 1%, Other: 7%
Sectors: Interior Architect: 29%, Retail: 28%, Designer: 14%, Architect: 9%, Hotel: 3%, Restaurant: 4%, Other: 13%
SURVEY RESULTS
Design Brands
-
Overall Impression: 3.82/5
-
Interest in the 2025 Edition: 99% Yes
Visitors
-
Overall Visitor Experience: 4.18/5
-
Intention to Visit ADW 2025: 100% Yes
-
premium brand
Premium brands can create a dedicated B2B showroom (Businesspoint) to connect with new clients, hosted in their own HQ, as a guest in another HQ, or as a temporary city showroom.
They can also feature on the Design Lover Walk, a map for B2B and B2C visitors highlighting Discover Points in District Downtown. To join, brands must host a Discover Point, such as a gallery installation, a collaboration with a local retailer, or another creative setup.
CAT. 1
(TO < € 500,000)
= 3000 EUR excl. BTW
CAT. 2
(TO> € 500,000)
= 6000 EUR excl. BTW
-
Part of the B2B program (and B2C if desired)
-
Own name on the map/districts
-
Dedicated page on the website and app
-
Own name included in mailers and social media
-
Onboarding tool
-
Scanning platform
-
Flag
-
Floor stickers
-
Tear-off map
-
Map
-
Pins
-
Pens
-
Print materials
young creative
Young Creatives, emerging designers, are showcased in a dedicated YC Hub. Featured as both a Business Point and Discover Point on the Design Lover Walk, it offers them a platform to connect with clients and reach a wider audience.
CAT 3.
(TO< €50,000)
=500 EUR excl. BTW
-
Part of the B2B and Design Lover Walk
-
Under YC HUB on map/districts
-
Own name on the website and application
-
YC HUB name in mailers and social media
-
Onboarding tool
-
Scanning platform
-
Flag
-
Floor stickers
-
Tear-off map
-
Print materials
unique installation
Unique installations, developed in collaboration with partners, aim to spotlight their brand or message by raising awareness rather than generating profit. These installations will serve as Discover Points along the Design Lover Walk. Keep in mind that your installation should focus on promoting design or showcasing it in an exceptional and meaningful way. Applications for these unique installations are carefully curated to ensure quality and relevance.
Free
-
Mention and info on the Design Lover Walk
-
General online page
-
Flag
-
Map DLW