In a significant ‘shot in the arm’ for any future bid from Taipei to become World Design Capital, Taiwan has attracted the 2011 IDA Congress. IDA is the World Design Capital (WDC) Awarding Body and Taipei is widely expected to bid for WDC designation for either 2014 or 2016.

2011 IDA Congress

Following a year-long campaign Taiwan was appointed as Host to the 2011 IDA Congress, beating off competition from 19 competitors from around the world to host the event. The IDA Congress is an important international design event held by the International Design Alliance (IDA) which was established in 2007 and consists of three international design societies, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), the International Council of Graphic Design Association (Icograda), and the International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (IFI). These are the organisations that award World Design Capital (WDC) status to a selected city every two years.

The 2011 IDA Congress will be the first time this important international event is held in Asia. The congress is expected to attract 3,000 elite designers from 60 countries to take part. One million visitors will attend the design expo which is the main public event of the congress. Taiwanese design sector also believes that the congress provides and international stage for Taiwan to enhance its brand image and become an important centre of innovative design in Asia. The event will take place in October 2011.