Every November, Hong Kong becomes Asia's meeting point for the design world for one week. Business of Design Week (BODW) 2026 returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this autumn with Switzerland as its first-ever partner country, and a summit line-up built around turning design conversation into real-world action.
What is BODW, and what's new for 2026?
Business of Design Week is organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre and has run since 2002, making it Asia's longest-running annual summit on design, innovation and brand strategy. It draws design masters, brand leaders and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and overseas to debate where design creates business and social value.
For 2026, organisers have named Switzerland as BODW's partner country for the first time, tying the programme's theme — "Design in Dialogue: Connect + Transform" — to Switzerland's multilingual design heritage. The key visual was designed by Qingyan Hu of the Basel Academy of Art and Design, reinforcing the Swiss connection. Full programme details are on the official BODW 2026 site, run by the Hong Kong Design Centre.
Who's speaking at BODW 2026
The confirmed speaker line-up spans architecture, product design and sustainability. It includes Wim Walschap, CEO and senior partner at Swiss architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron; Thilo Brunner, Chief Design Officer at Swiss sportswear brand On; Janine Weiz-Bühler, Navigator and CEO of upcycled-bag maker FREITAG lab.; Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture; and Dr Anna Marešová, a Czech product designer. Organisers say more than 40 speakers from at least eight countries and regions will take part across more than 40 sessions.
Dates, venue and tickets
Business of Design Week (BODW) 2026
Exact Early Bird pricing was not published in plain text on the official ticketing page at the time of writing — check bodw.com directly for current rates, as tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable and the offer runs while quotas last. Renaissance Harbour View Hotel is offering a discount code to confirmed Summit ticket-holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insider tip
Book your Summit pass early — the Early Bird rate is explicitly first-come, first-served while quotas last, and the confirmation email is also how you unlock the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel's attendee discount code if you're staying nearby in Wan Chai.