Workspace Design Show Amsterdam reports strong growth for second edition

The second Workspace Design Show Amsterdam drew record attendance to the RAI on 5 and 6 November, marking a notable expansion of interest in workplace interiors across Europe. The event, now in its second edition following its 2023 debut, brought together architects, designers, occupiers and suppliers for two days of discussion, product launches and industry networking. Organisers reported more than six thousand visitors from more than sixty five countries, a sharp rise from the first edition. Attendance was led by the Netherlands, followed by Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. More than one hundred and fifty exhibitors presented products spanning furniture, lighting, acoustics, flooring and workplace technology. The programme also expanded significantly, with more than one hundred and forty speakers taking part across three stages covering occupier strategies, design thinking and workplace experience.

This year’s theme, Activate the Senses, shaped the layout and programming of Hall 5, with immersive displays and installations exploring light, sound and materiality. Feature lounges created by design studios and interactive exhibits aimed to prompt visitors to consider the sensory dimensions of workplace environments.

Exhibitors noted a busy show floor and a steady volume of project focused conversations. Representatives from several companies highlighted the value of meeting architects, designers and clients in an environment centred on discussion rather than product presentation alone. Many described the mix of talks and exhibits as a factor in attracting engaged visitors and prompting longer exchanges on workplace needs and trends.

The growth from the first edition was evident across all key measures. The 2023 event drew around two thousand five hundred attendees and hosted eighty exhibitors, with visitors from forty four countries. This year’s edition more than doubled those figures and introduced new curated features intended to guide visitors through the show and support informal meetings.

Organisers said the intention for 2025 was to broaden the experience and create more opportunities for visitors to explore concepts as well as products. According to Co Founder Charlie Bark Jones, the aim was to encourage people to see and feel how workplace ideas could be expressed, with the response indicating strong interest from the wider design community.

Planning is already under way for the next Amsterdam edition, scheduled for November 2027 at the RAI. Organisers report that rebookings have begun and that interest from additional European markets is increasing, suggesting further expansion when the event returns in two years’ time.