10 December 2007
WORLD'S LARGEST DESIGN EVENT EXPLODES ONTO HONG KONG
Hong Kong SAR (P.R. of China) - Business of Design Week (BODW) 2007, the word’s largest international
design event, opened today, bringing together an unrivalled collection
of influential designers and participants from government, business and
academia with the aim of championing good design for business success.
Organised by Hong Kong Design Centre and supported by the Government,
Asia’s premier design event focuses on innovation, design and brand,
boasting over 40,000 participants and more than 100 of the world’s top
creative minds.
BODW Forum, the most important design conference in Asia, and flagship event of the week, runs from 12 to 14 December, and features over 30 top design masters. Speakers include venerated designers Tom Dixon and Marc Newson, Italian maestros Mario Bellini, Michele De Lucchi and more, and groundbreaking Asian innovators Fumie Shibata and Tony Suppattranont. Design experts from companies including automotive leaders Stile Bertone, Nissan and Ducati, trend-setters Missoni and Kartell, and electronics innovators TCL, will also share their insights during the threeday design extravaganza.
In his opening address, Frederick Ma, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR, highlighted the importance of BODW: “The ability to innovate and to integrate design into the business process is essential for survival amidst today’s global competition, and is key to economic success. At a time when business opportunities abound with the rapid economic development in China, Business of Design Week is most timely in encouraging businesses to unleash the potential of design and reap the economic benefit design can bring.”
Now in its sixth year, the week-long programme also features the HKDC Annual Awards, a star-studded highlight of the week, and an astonishing array of prestigious outreach programmes, concurrent conferences and exhibitions.
At the HKDC Annual Award Gala Dinner on Wednesday, the highly coveted Hong Kong Design Centre Awards will be announced, which include the sought-after Design For Asia Awards, the World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer and Design Leadership Award as well as the Young Design Talent Awards. This annual event rewards designers and companies from around the world whose creative genius has earned them critical acclaim and commercial success in Asia.
“Design has never been more important for forging new solutions, whether they be taking business to new dimensions, addressing environmental concerns, preserving local cultures in light of rapidly globalising society, or meeting the demands of new and exciting technologies,” said Victor Lo, Chairman, Board of Directors, Hong Kong Design Centre. “For these reasons, Business of Design Week is the highlight of our annual calendar. Our aim is to inspire and promote design innovation in all its aspects, to celebrate the industry’s successes and energise young designers and those who are now starting out in their careers.”
BODW 2007 is open to all – from champions of design to highly motivated business leaders interested in the power of design. To find out more and register online, visit www.bodw.com. The week-long programme comprises many events and gatherings,
including:
BODW Forum, the most important design conference in Asia, and flagship event of the week, runs from 12 to 14 December, and features over 30 top design masters. Speakers include venerated designers Tom Dixon and Marc Newson, Italian maestros Mario Bellini, Michele De Lucchi and more, and groundbreaking Asian innovators Fumie Shibata and Tony Suppattranont. Design experts from companies including automotive leaders Stile Bertone, Nissan and Ducati, trend-setters Missoni and Kartell, and electronics innovators TCL, will also share their insights during the threeday design extravaganza.
In his opening address, Frederick Ma, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR, highlighted the importance of BODW: “The ability to innovate and to integrate design into the business process is essential for survival amidst today’s global competition, and is key to economic success. At a time when business opportunities abound with the rapid economic development in China, Business of Design Week is most timely in encouraging businesses to unleash the potential of design and reap the economic benefit design can bring.”
Now in its sixth year, the week-long programme also features the HKDC Annual Awards, a star-studded highlight of the week, and an astonishing array of prestigious outreach programmes, concurrent conferences and exhibitions.
At the HKDC Annual Award Gala Dinner on Wednesday, the highly coveted Hong Kong Design Centre Awards will be announced, which include the sought-after Design For Asia Awards, the World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer and Design Leadership Award as well as the Young Design Talent Awards. This annual event rewards designers and companies from around the world whose creative genius has earned them critical acclaim and commercial success in Asia.
“Design has never been more important for forging new solutions, whether they be taking business to new dimensions, addressing environmental concerns, preserving local cultures in light of rapidly globalising society, or meeting the demands of new and exciting technologies,” said Victor Lo, Chairman, Board of Directors, Hong Kong Design Centre. “For these reasons, Business of Design Week is the highlight of our annual calendar. Our aim is to inspire and promote design innovation in all its aspects, to celebrate the industry’s successes and energise young designers and those who are now starting out in their careers.”
BODW 2007 is open to all – from champions of design to highly motivated business leaders interested in the power of design. To find out more and register online, visit www.bodw.com. The week-long programme comprises many events and gatherings,
including:
- 16 November – 16 December: Italian Chair Exhibition – free admission
- 2 – 30 December: Masters of Italian Design Exhibition – free admission
- 10 – 11 December: DesignEd Asia – “Sustaining Culture through Design Education”
- 10 December: Inno Asia – “Innovating for Sustainability”
- 11 – 12 December: Brand Asia – “Brand Experience”
- 11 December: 9707 Symposium – “World Class Brands, Hong Kong Creativity” (free with registration)
- 12 December: HKDC Annual Award Gala Dinner – by invitation only
- 12 – 14 December: BODW Forum – register at www.bodw.com
- 12 – 15 December: Inno Design Tech Expo – “The Value of Good Design” (free with registration)
- 13 December: YIC Forum – “OEM to Brand: Beyond Pearl River Delta” (free with registration)
- 13 December: I.P. Asia – “Intellectual Property Rights”
- 10 – 15 December: DETOUR 07 – “Sightseeing on the Tram” (free with registration)
BODW
is organised by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and funded by the Hong
Kong SAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Commission.
Media Enquiries at Weber Shandwick
Wendy Kam
t: +852 2533 9928
e:
Tammy Li
t: +852 2533 9988
e: tamli@webershandwick.com
Media Enquiries at Weber Shandwick
Wendy Kam
t: +852 2533 9928
e:
Tammy Li
t: +852 2533 9988
e: tamli@webershandwick.com
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