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TLDR: Why pop-up design events are on the rise
Key points:
- Pop-up design events are becoming more popular in the design industry.
- These events offer a unique opportunity for in-person networking, community-building, and showcasing of products.
For the last few years, designer Ariel Okin has cultivated an online community called Fenimore Lane, blending interior design, lifestyle e-commerce, and editorial content. After toying with the idea of bringing the platform into the real world, she hosted the Fenimore Lane Design Summit, a pop-up with home, lifestyle, and fashion vendors. The event featured shopping, panels, workshops, and networking activities, drawing a mix of industry professionals and everyday consumers.
Other pop-ups such as the Blackberry Farm Design Summit and The Ticking Tent have also emerged, offering opportunities for vendor discovery and connecting with artisans and designers. These events aim to fill a void in the market for in-person sourcing and curated design experiences.
The success of these pop-ups is seen as a reaction to the design industry’s fast digital adoption in recent years. Organizers believe that in-person events provide a valuable opportunity for designers, vendors, and consumers to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.
The unique settings of these events, such as the Mayflower Inn & Spa and Blackberry Farm, play a role in their success. Organizers plan to continue hosting these pop-ups, recognizing the importance of face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world.
While online design resources are valuable, in-person events like pop-up design summits offer a different level of interaction and engagement that cannot be replicated digitally. The success of these events underscores the enduring importance of personal connections in the design industry.
