plan
design
experience
1-5 june, 2025
Dear Press Relation, Journalist, or Agency,
Thank you for your interest in Antwerp Design Week and all its facets. We are delighted to see ADW gaining more recognition and sincerely appreciate your willingness to get to know this new design event better.
As you explore this page, we invite you to take a behind-the-scenes look at a growing design event. Our ultimate goal is to place Belgian Design and Antwerp firmly on the international map as a benchmark and design capital.
Below, you will find various resources specifically tailored for the press: a registration link for the VIP press experience, the press tours, the press kit, and more.
We greatly value your support in bringing this vision to life. Thank you!
Warm regards,
Antwerp Design Week Team
press events
At Antwerp Design Week, we believe in providing the press with not only comprehensive information but also an inspiring and immersive experience. That’s why we’re excited to host a variety of exclusive press events tailored just for you.
Antwerp Design Week
VIP experience
June 4-5, 2025
Antwerp Design Week offers a select group of journalists the exclusive opportunity to experience ADW as VIPs, fully immersing themselves in the world of Belgian design. With only 10 spots available, secure your place now for this unique experience.
Over two days, we offer exclusive encounters, inspiring locations, and a carefully curated program.
We provide
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transportation to Antwerp
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hotel accommodation
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Organized transportation within the disctricts
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Meals throughout the day
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a structured itinerar to discover Antwerp Design Week and Antwerp as well.
In return, we expect two editorials: one before the event, offering insights into what to expect, and one afterward, sharing your experiences at ADW and in the city of Antwerp.
Would you like to be part of this unique experience? Submit your application via the form below.
Antwerp Design Week
exclusive press tours
June 4-5, 2025
Join our exclusive guided press tours from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and experience Antwerp Design Week in a fully curated way. These tours include:
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Organized transportation within the disctricts
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Meals throughout the day
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Guided visits to key design locations
📌 Important: This is a structured tour with a set itinerary. If you prefer to explore on your own, we recommend signing up for our open days instead.
📌These press tours do not include hotel accommodations or transportation to the event. If you require these, we recommend applying for the VIP experience.
Antwerp Design Week
open days for press
June 4-5, 2025
Our open days offer full flexibility for journalists who prefer to explore Antwerp Design Week at their own pace. While these days are not curated, we encourage you to apply so we can welcome you properly!
📍 Start your day at The Club with:
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A networking breakfast
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An opening speech at 10:00 AM
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Fresh coffee & croissants
🚲 How to get around?
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Bike freely through the city
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Book a shuttle whenever needed
By signing up, you'll gain access to key information, exclusive insights, and a great starting point for your ADW experience.
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.
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.
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Founder: Geert-Jan Van Cauwelaert, who dreams of uniting the design world into a strong and cohesive entity (gj@xlboom.com )
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Project Lead: Emma Vanbeckevoort, overseeing and excecuting the whole event (info@adw.life)
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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
Manuport, Fedustria, VOCAST, City of Antwerpen, apbc, 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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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
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District Downtown (City Center): The heart of Antwerp, ideal for walking and biking.
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District North (Wijnegem): A 20-minute drive from Downtown.
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District East (Herenthout): About a 30-minute drive from Downtown.
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District South (Kontich): A 20-minute drive from Downtown.
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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:
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Booking Options: Visitors and exhibitors can book transport online or through our Transport Dispatch team.
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Contact Information: The transport dispatch number will be available on our mobile app and website.
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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:
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Walking: Many showrooms and hubs are within walking distance, allowing visitors to easily explore the area on foot.
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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.
Who are the visitors of Antwerp Design Week?
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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.
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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?
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Inspiration and awareness: Visitors are encouraged to attend Antwerp Design Week through various channels, including targeted campaigns on social media, brochures, mailings, and more.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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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DESIGN LOVER WALK with Discover Points: Inspirational showcases for design lovers.
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Events in The Club
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Events hosted by premium brands, young creatives or unique installations
What is the B2B program (professionals) and what is the B2C program (design lovers)?
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The Club - powered by Fedustria - is the vibrant heart of Antwerp Design Week, located at the iconic venue "12" by Aim Architecture at the Kattendijkdok.
It serves as both a central information hub and a place for memorable experiences.
Convenience features include:
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A hostess desk,
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Transport services,
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An information point.
Experiential highlights include:
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Exclusive events,
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Inspiring talks by distinguished speakers.
Address:
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toolkit
To help you cover Antwerp Design Week effortlessly and effectively, we are excited to launch our Press Toolkit. This is designed to provide all the information and materials you need to create engaging content about ADW. Find our history, brand assets, our favorite photographs, banners, prewitten text, examples for articles, ... in the toolkit.
imagebank
Explore our user-friendly image bank – the perfect resource for all your editorials.
