The Barbican will share insights on what it means to design a planet-positive event as part of its attendance at IMEX Frankfurt.
The arts and conference centre will highlight its role as host venue for the upcoming 34th World
Design Congress at the trade show. The venue's team will be joined at IMEX by Matthew Burgess, senior events manager at the Design Council, the UK’s official hosts of the
2025 World Design Congress. Together, they will be showcasing how the conference is shaping up to become a benchmark in sustainable event planning.
“As host of the World Design Congress 2025, the Design
Council is committed to designing a planet-positive event that acts as a
catalyst for environmental and social transformation,” said Burgess.
“We’re applying our own design value framework to assess the impact of every
decision – from programming to partnerships – while working closely with ESG
experts at Stitch and collaborating with the Barbican to align our
sustainability ambitions with their Renewal programme. The congress will not
only push forward climate conversations, it will also demonstrate the
inclusive, intentional, and environmentally responsible future of events.”
With more than 1,000 global delegates expected, the congress will
take place in September during the London Design Festival and will
showcase the UK’s design innovation through a wider programme of experiences
known as the Design Safari, encouraging visitors to maximise the impact of
their travel by extending their stay and engaging with design-led activity
across the country.
Further elevating the Congress’ international profile, the
Design Council recently unveiled its first keynote speakers, including
celebrated British designer Thomas Heatherwick and Earthshot Prize winner
Charlot Magayi. They will be joined by economist
Mariana Mazzucato, Fairphone founder Bas Van Abel, Superflux co-founder Anab
Jain, sustainability provocateur Leyla Acaroglu, COLLINS co-founder Leyland
Maschmeyer, and architect Indy Johar. The speaker programme – curated by executive
design leader Ve Dewy – aims to reinforce the congress as a defining moment for
planet-positive design on the world stage.
Charlie Smith, deputy head of sales at the Barbican, added: “It’s not just about hosting an
event; it’s about helping to shape what a truly responsible and impactful
gathering looks like. IMEX provides the perfect platform for us to share how
our iconic venue – with its bold architecture, cultural significance and
sustainability credentials – is working hand-in-hand with the Design Council to
deliver an event with long-term purpose and measurable legacy. This is a story
about global impact through local partnership, and we can’t wait to tell it.”
The Barbican’s Renewal programme – which aims to revitalise
and future-proof the venue for the next generation without expanding its
physical footprint – aligns with the Design Council’s “Design for
Planet” mission and the congress’s broader sustainability goals.
Attendees of IMEX 2025 are invited to connect with the
Barbican team on the London stand to learn more about not just the venue but
also how the World Design Congress is rethinking event delivery to meet the
environmental and social challenges of our time.
