Design Nation: the new B2B platform for design in Belgium

Design professionals can visit Kortrijk Xpo again next fall to discover the latest trends and innovations at Design Nation. A brand new trade fair with a premium range of design furniture, lighting, interior textiles and decorative objects. 

Design Nation will take place over two days, October 19 and 20, at Kortrijk Xpo. It will be the new hotspot for design, open only to professionals from different sectors, such as furnishers of high-end hotels & restaurants, office design, project development, the medical and public sector to interior architects and retailers in design objects and furniture pieces. 

After the era of the renowned Interieur fair, a vacuum arose in the Belgian design landscape. Within the Kortrijk Xpo team, the idea grew to develop a new fair concept: just as ambitious and qualitative as Interieur, but adapted to the current needs of the sector. For example, a thorough survey revealed that many manufacturers - from our country and beyond - clearly feel the need for a high-quality platform to present their design innovations, but that this should preferably be a fair that is more compact in terms of time and purely intended for a professional audience. 

"The world is changing rapidly. It used to be enough, for example, to furnish an office with purely functional elements, but those days are over. Today's work environment must radiate warmth, with cosy seating areas and flexible arrangements. The same applies, for example, to residential care and medical centers that strive for furnishings that combine functionality, aesthetics and homeliness," says Hannelore Caenepeel, exhibition manager. 

As far as exhibitors are concerned, the bar has been set high. Design Nation is aiming for national and international premium brands that can surprise and inspire discerning visitors with innovative products, both technological and creative. The main part of the offer consists of furniture, both indoor and outdoor, as well as kitchen and bathroom furnishings, interior textiles, lighting and decorative objects. 

Innovation is the determinator at Design Nation! A jury of design professionals will judge the innovative nature and creative level of the collections and objects on display. 

The particularly unique "plug-and-play" formula not only appeals incredibly, it allows all the objects on display at Design Nation to be shown to their best advantage. 

Hannelore Caenepeel "We want to unburden our exhibitors so they don't have to invest in an expensive booth. Our unique scenography, where booths are separated by semi-transparent curtains, triggers incredibly to take a look at the booths There is the choice between booths of 24, 40 or 80m². 

Trend watchers from different sectors and countries will give lectures on the trend stage. Among others, the winner of the "Designer of the Year" competition organized by Knack Weekend will speak during a trend session, as will Christine Boland, in collaboration with Trendvision. Hilde Francq of FRANCQ COLORS will in turn guide us through the latest interior design trends for 2024.