The Breakout Sessions are exclusive forums, with much smaller audi-ences than the Conference, and most of the Breakout Session speakers, like all those who appear on the Conference stage, are world-leading designers, architects or company executives. Other Breakout Session speakers are influential niched players and opinion-formers.

An inspiring crossover of different design worlds can create exciting results.

Verena C. Kloos, Head of the Daimler Chrysler Design Centre

FutureDesignDays 2004 saw Verena C Kloos, Head of the Daimler Chrysler Design Centre, speaking about the collaborative effort behind the design and development of the Mercedes Benz Armani SL. Mercedes Benz was the official car supplier for the event, and FutureDesignDays was one of the venues at which the world launch of the car took place. The following year, 2005, Design Manager Stefan Sielaff held a popular Breakout Session at FutureDesignDays.

Exclusive and in-your-face

Although each Breakout Session can accommodate only a limited number of delegates, they provide a forum for interaction and discussion between speaker and audience, for the benefit of all involved. The subjects can be large or comprehensive, but are often more niched and address narrower issues. This format gives the audience a chance to gain a better insight into the design process behind the product, service or project being presented.

Innovative meeting rooms

Breakout Sessions also offer an opportunity to test different ways of meeting, and new ways of sharing knowledge. Cecilia Hertz, an internationally acknowledged space designer, had her guests sit on swings in an almost pitch-black room, to best reproduce the feeling of weightlessness in space. Many sessions go for a more practical approach. Julian Roberts and Sophie Cheung, British fashion designers and lecturers, shared their view of design with the audience, simultaneously talking and sewing up garments from scratch, right there and then.

I was highly impressed by the organisation.

Stephan Hamel, Design Consultant, Italy

At FutureDesignDays cutting-edge knowledge and ideas are shared, encouraged and born during this euphoric balance of exhibition, conference and networking. Any business that requires forward thinking requires attending FutureDesignDays.

Jennifer Castoldi, Chief Creative Director, Trendease International, USA/France

I had no idea that I would be able to connect with the audience in such a personal, human way.

Satyendra Pakhalé, Designer, India/Netherlands