#DesignPopUp Exhibition & 10th Anniversary Celebration
Event Overview
The #DesignPopUp Exhibition was a two-day gathering that brought together top brands and over 500 architecture and design professionals from across the UK and Ireland. The event was all about discovering new products, learning from insightful workshops, and catching up with familiar faces. For the past three years, Platform has proudly hosted the #DesignPopUp Exhibition, so it was an honour to also host their 10-year anniversary, topped off with the much-anticipated Parmesan & Prosecco Party!
Objectives
The event aimed to provide industry professionals with the opportunity to explore high-quality, design-led furniture while connecting with both well-established and emerging brands. It also focused on offering a variety of workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions, covering topics like mental health in the building industry, the importance of flame-retardant materials, and more creative pursuits like a hands-on bag-making workshop. In addition, the event was designed to foster meaningful networking by creating a relaxed and interactive space for attendees to connect with suppliers and peers. Finally, the event celebrated 10 years of #DesignPopUp with a fun and memorable networking evening, centred around the renowned Parmesan & Prosecco Party.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges of hosting the exhibition within a single arch at Platform was carefully planning the space to balance exhibitor booths, attendee flow, and breakout activities. A standout task was setting up the live charcuterie board for the evening's Parmesan & Prosecco Party, ensuring it was an impressive focal point without disrupting the overall event flow.
In addition, accommodating the diverse range of workshops and panel talks required effective time and space management. Notable highlights from the sessions included panel discussions addressing critical mental health challenges within the industry, educational talks led by Panaz & Bespoke Atelier, and a creative bag-making workshop, also led by Bespoke Atelier.
Solutions
To tackle the space management challenge, the team worked closely with both the organisers and exhibitors to carefully allocate areas for product showcases, workshops, and attendee circulation. Breakout activities were strategically placed throughout the venue to maintain an engaging flow for attendees.
In terms of the live charcuterie setup, meticulous coordination between our in-house catering team, event planners, and operations ensured the station became a visually striking centrepiece. This careful planning allowed for ample space for networking while avoiding any disruption to the event’s flow, making the charcuterie board both functional and eye-catching.
Results
The event attracted over 500 attendees, who praised the venue’s layout and the balance between exhibition, education, and networking. The successful setup of workshops, product displays, and celebratory events contributed to an energetic and productive atmosphere.
"A HUGE thank you from Emma and I for all your help and amazing work. As usual, we truly enjoyed working with you and your team, and you make our lives so much easier." – Sara Seravalli.
Conclusion
The #DesignPopUp Exhibition was a tremendous success, offering a dynamic blend of knowledge sharing, product discovery, and networking. Platform, provided the perfect space for an inspiring and enjoyable event, contributing to the continued success of the company’s mission to bring the architecture and design communities together in Glasgow.
