Past Event

Few people sit at the intersection of design policy and geopolitical strategy. Senior Minister of State Sim Ann is one of them, and she’s opening the room.

As Senior Minister of State (MFA & MHA) and Patron of DBCS since 2018, SMS Sim Ann has been the bridge between Singaporean innovation and global policy. In this special Circle Connects, we’re going behind closed doors to discuss Creative Diplomacy in an Age of Geopolitical Disruption.

This is a rare session curated for design entrepreneurs and leaders ready to think beyond the organisation and navigate the bigger picture.

Event Details
📅 Monday, 25 May 2026
🕞 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍National Design Centre Auditorium Level 2, 111 Middle Road, Singapore 188969

Moderator: Hong Khai Seng, President of DBCS

*Chatham House Rules apply. Seats are limited.*

🔗 Register now → https://luma.com/2j507sz5

The design industry is changing faster than ever, and the designers who will shape its future are already among us.

The Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) is proud to bring together, for the very first time, alumni of the Seed Award, young designers recognised for embodying the five qualities of future design leaders: Creative Impact, Critical Thinking, Connective Intelligence, Perseverance, and Ethical Decision-Making.

This inaugural gathering is a celebration of the community these alumni represent, and a space to look ahead at the role they will play in shaping Singapore’s design industry.

As the first of many such events, we hope to create a meaningful platform for honest exchange between emerging designers and the industry leaders who came before them.

Event Details (by invitation only)
Date: Saturday, 30 May 2026
Time: 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM
Venue: Raffles College of Higher Education

​👉 What are we seeing — and what do we make of it?

​You know how DTIA usually unfolds.

​We come in with a few ideas, conversations take unexpected turns, and by the end of it, something shifts.

​Last year especially had that “house party” feel — people stayed, conversations carried on, and the best moments weren’t always the planned ones.

​👉 Time well spent—with people who matter

​We’re bringing it together again this year.

​As always, it’s something we organize as a community and simply share the cost of making it happen.

​This includes:

• ​Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• ​Saturday drinks and light food (informal, roaming — same setup as before)

​For those who want to go a bit further, we’ve arranged an optional visit to INNOX in Shenzhen on Monday (18 May).

​INNOX applies end-to-end design thinking to incubate startups — from problem definition through to product and market — so it’s a chance to see that in practice.

​If this gathering of minds matters, it’s worth locking it in now—before the calendar fills up.

Theme and format

The World Has Shifted — What Now?

Making sense in a bewildering world. Moving forward.

Over two days, we’ll move through a simple journey together:

Making Sense → Rethinking Our Role → From D (Domesticated)  to W (Wilder) → Becoming Wilder

Each part building on the last—moving from understanding to action.

This isn’t a traditional conference—more a curated, participative gathering shaped by the people in the room.

Sign up here: https://luma.com/uzhx4a01?coupon=DBCS

As part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, join 55 Minutes for an intimate,
hands-on workshop dive into inclusive design, turning empathy into action.

• 284 River Valley Rd Singapore 238325
• Saturday, 9 May 
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Find out more:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accessible-by-design-crafting-assistive-tools-with-3d-printing-tickets-1985691230925?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

As part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, join 55 Minutes on how to design digital experiences
that truly include people with visual impairment.

• 284 River Valley Rd Singapore 238325
• Thursday, 14 May 
• 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Find out more:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-workshop-on-designing-digital-experiences-for-the-visually-impaired-tickets-1986957368978?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

About Future Economy Conference 

Inaugurated in 2017, the Future Economy Conference (FEC) is SBF’s annual strategic platform for government-to-business engagement, convening policymakers, industry leaders, and solution partners to chart the course for a future-ready Singapore economy. FEC brings together key decision makers from both the public and private sectors to examine national priorities, enterprise transformation, and actionable pathways for business adoption. The vision: to help Singapore’s business community tackle emerging challenges, seize new opportunities, and accelerate transformation at scale—both locally and across the region.  

Organised by SBF and supported by leading partners from both the public and private sectors, FEC is a premium conference featuring high-level speakers from Singapore and beyond. Distinguished guests—including senior government officials, business leaders, and ecosystem partners—offer insights and commitments that drive dynamic growth and resilience for Singapore’s economy.  

In 2026, FEC 2026 is expected to convene national and regional leaders to chart a united course through today’s volatile and complex global landscape. The conference rallies stakeholders to deepen public-private collaboration, spark innovation, and deliver real-world impact for enterprises of all sizes.   

For more information, visit here.

In an age where AI is rapidly transforming the design industry, the need for stronger decision-making and thoughtful budgeting has never been more critical. Amid ongoing global conflicts, economic uncertainty and shifting market dynamics, organisations are under increasing pressure to do more with less while still delivering meaningful impact. As we navigate this evolving landscape, the value of design becomes even more significant, not just as an aesthetic layer but as a strategic tool to drive clarity, resilience and innovation.

We invite you to join us for a leadership dialogue on how to lead through this transition with intention, adaptability and purpose.

Design no longer lives in silos.
AI is reshaping roles.
Industry needs hybrid thinkers.
Government relies on cross-disciplinary design to shape the nation.

This event gathers voices from academia, industry, and government to explore why transdisciplinary capability is fast becoming the defining skillset of the next decade.

Join the conversation and be part of what’s ahead. 

🔗 Learn more: https://luma.com/6gc54s1d

Today’s creatives wear many titles: designer, maker, storyteller. At TP Design Show, meet the multi-hyphenates redefining design not just by showing work but by showing what’s possible.

Date: 12–17 March 2026 (closed on weekends)

Venue: TP School of Design Blk 28A

🔗 Learn more: https://www.tp.edu.sg/designshow/

DBCS and WDBO is pleased to organise the Design Power Index (DPI) 2026 Leadership Briefing to present the assessment methodology and process for DPI 2026. We look forward to the participation of DPI winners and interested parties for DPI.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Time: 4:00–7:00 pm
Venue: Beyond X (21 Keppel Rd, Singapore 089067)
Ticket Price: DPI Winners/DBCS Members: Free | Non-Members: $30

🔗 RSVP now: https://luma.com/tq6fnhu0

We look forward to seeing you there.

Learn more about WDBO at wdbo.org.