Why Should Designers Attend Industry Events?

Attending industry events is a popular way for designers to get inspiration, network with suppliers, and to meet and mingle with the interior design community. Attendees get to discover products and craftsmanship in person.

We recently caught up with BIID Registered Interior Designer, Laura Dragoi. She reflects on her recent experience of attending Paris Deco Off, and explains exactly why attending events should be on your radar.

What Makes A Great Event

“Paris Déco Off remains one of the most distinctive shows in the interiors calendar because it’s not a conventional trade fair, but rather a city-wide design immersion. Seeing the collections presented in real interiors, meeting people, and going to networking events — this is my favourite show, and I’m always happy to be back each January for a boost of creativity after the quiet winter holidays.”

A Sense Of Direction

“As in previous years, the design industry is increasingly aligned with a market that is more selective and more value-conscious — designers and clients look for beauty, but they also want reassurance that what they are investing in will still feel relevant years from now. Decor is being regarded as value, not just taste. The industry is accurately responding to a consumer who is more informed, more selective, and more likely to ask: what will still feel right in ten years? That is pushing brands and makers towards craft as proof of value: hand processes, specialist weaving, embroidery, and high-skill finishing. Historical references are being refreshed to appeal to contemporary aesthetics and performance needs.

Performance and versatility continue to be relevant. Even in very decorative presentations, there is a continuous market interest in providing versatile solutions: indoor/outdoor living, hospitality requirements, and materials overall that balance beauty with practicality.”

Is it worth the time and energy?

“Every year, I embrace Paris Déco Off as a welcome challenge — a very intense few days, but charged with inspiration to last the rest of the year. The sheer volume of showroom visits, launch events, and meetings can make it difficult to absorb what you’re seeing unless you take a lot of photos and, once in a while, take a moment to breathe.”

As an institute, we work with leading industry events. Ours members use this to gain knowledge, raise their profile, and meet with other designers. It's also an opportunity to spread the word about the BIID to the rest of the industry. We partner with events of all sizes, from small, regional showcases to internationally recognised spectacles such as Decorex.

Partnerships often come with exclusive opportunities. Some examples include: 

• Speaking on panel discussions
• Access to VIP areas
• Behind-the-scenes insights
• Early access and preview evenings

Join Us At Clerkenwell Design Week

BIID professional members can join an exclusive tour of Clerkenwell Design Week. This is one of the UK’s leading design festivals, with over 600 showroom events to explore, plus exhibitions and installations throughout. The tour will be an opportunity to explore the highlights and gain real insight into this year’s top spots. 

After the tour, members have the opportunity to book onto a BIID-led panel discussion, Designing With Purpose: A Conversation on Sustainable Living and Award-Winning Design. Jennifer Hamilton of The Vawdrey House and her client will discuss how they worked sustainably. Together, they won the Anna Whitehead prize for sustainability at the 2025 BIID Interior Design Awards

There are plenty of opportunities to attend industry events throughout the year and some of the upcoming dates include: Sustainable Design Forum, Stone and Surfaces Show, Footprint+, and Ceramic Art London.