In 1992, within the framework of the SPRINT programme ad hoc group, the APCI proceeded to conduct a survey on European design promotion organisations. This survey served as support to a preparatory seminar for a reflection on European design promotion 1992-1997, organised in Paris.
In 2003, at the request of the Department of Trade and Industry, the APCI proceeded to a new survey, the object of which was to compile an inventory ten years later on, in order to gain a better understanding of the design promotion structures in the different countries, their challenges, their objectives, their methods, their resources, their connection with other organisations concerned by support for innovation. The results were presented at the European conference on January 10 and 11, 2004.
Following this survey on design promotion in Europe conducted by the APCI in 2003, it organised the first European conference on design promotion in January 2004, with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry.
This conference enabled representatives from 19 countries to exchange their objectives, their tools, their difficulties and their challenges.
Among the subjects of shared interest, they wished to go into greater depth regarding their reflection the economic impact of design, on the relation between design and innovation and on the connection between national and local policies. These were the key subjects at the conference of January 2005.
Following this conference, it was agreed to make this meeting a regular event and to create common tools, in particular regarding the extent of design integration in companies and the economic impact of design.
This conference is held annually at the Science and Industry Centre during the second week of January, on the occasion of the “Observeur du Design” exhibition. It brings together representatives from some twenty European countries, almost all of which are new members.
