Press Release: BEDA General Assembly 2026

Following the 57th General Assembly of the Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA) held on 7 May in Munich, BEDA is delighted to introduce the new President and Vice President and announce the Board of Directors for the term 2026-2028 and new members alongside the milestone developments in its ongoing work.

Enabling Design Across Europe

BEDA has been continuously working to support and advance design across Europe. The MADres project is developing a range of tools for the design community to use in both practical and long-term ways. Our work is also expanding through collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and strategic plans for the EU Workplan for Culture.

BEDA Welcomes New President and Vice President

BEDA is pleased to announce that Mark Illi, from the Swiss Design Association (Switzerland), has officially begun his three‑year term as BEDA President.

Antonella Andriani, from the Association for Industrial Design (ADI) in Italy, has been appointed BEDA Vice President. Following Mark Illi’s presidency, she will succeed him as BEDA President at the end of his term, ensuring continuity and strong leadership for the organisation’s future.

“Design is what humanity does to interact and organise itself and its environment. Europe has a long design experience and the resources to match. Let’s translate that capability throughout our societies — for sustainable growth and prosperity.” – Mark Illi, BEDA President

The BEDA Board of Directors, Term 2026-2028

BEDA now has 10 board members from nine countries. This includes the commitment of previous board members and four new board members, and also includes the President and Vice President. The newly elected BEDA Board of Directors serving a two-year term are as follows (in alphabetical order):

• Bart Ahsmann, CLICKNL, The Netherlands – Board Member since 2024
• François Caspar, Alliance France Design, France – Board Member since 2026
• Dita Danosa, Latvian Design Center, Latvia – Board Member since 2024
• Stijn Debaillie, Designregio Kortrijk, Belgium – Board Member since 2026
• Regina Hanke, (BEDA General Secretary) Deutscher Designtag e.V., Germany – Board Member since 2022
• Michał Stefanowski, Design Association SPFP, Poland – Board Member since 2026
• Isabelle Vérilhac, APCI – Promotion of Design, France – Board Member since 2026
• Tom Watts, Design and Crafts Council Ireland, Ireland – Board Member since 2024

Welcoming New Member Organisations to BEDA

At its annual General Assembly, BEDA members ratified two new organisations as full members of BEDA.

Design Campus Competence Centre, Hungary

Design Campus is a multidisciplinary innovation hub connecting education, research and industry through design‑driven thinking, and fostering creativity and collaboration. Click here for more information.

Design Federation, Estonia/Greece

Design Federation, which also includes ED Festival and ED Awards, is a European organisation developing platforms that recognise, connect and strengthen design across Europe. Click here for more information.

BEDA wishes to say thank you to our member organisation Bayern Design and their flagship event ‘Munich Creative Business Week’, and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy for their support in hosting the General Assembly in Munich.

Last updated: 18/05/26