A global gathering of design + business leaders to inspire action around climate positive design – with Stitch's event solutions setting the standard

For Design Council's award-winning Design for Planet Festival.

From the seamless technical design and expert event management of the hybrid event to biodegradable badges and every detail in between, Stitch's circular-enabled production covered it all. 

The Brief 

Design for Planet (DfP) festival is the award-winning flagship programme of the Design Council's mission to support the UK design community to address the climate crisis. In collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University, the aim of this year’s festival was to bring global attention to the UK’s leadership in design and its role in addressing the planetary emergency.  

We were tasked with creating a world-leading hybrid production, fit for an audience of globally renowned leaders in design, business and sustainability – an event to inspire positive change through detail and creativity while demonstrating sustainability in action.  

The Result

Stitch delivered an end-to-end service, from managing registrations to the production of all in-person and online elements of the hybrid event.  

Sustainable choices were made from start to finish. For example, we chose biodegradable cane fibre badges, sourced furniture from the local recycling centre, used software to track travel related carbon and nudge behaviours for a lower delegate footprint. 

Delegates left motivated and the event was 96% circular-enabled and generated nearly 500 hours direct social value. 

Alex McCorkindale, Executive Producer, Design Council said:  

We've loved working with Stitch on Design for Planet - a proactive and professional partner from the outset. Together we've delivered an inspiring and powerful experience for speakers and guests – whether in-person or online – all enhanced through the positive impact the production created. 

The Stitch team has the additional virtue of being enormously fun and kind to work with, something that can't be underestimated in the pressure cooker environment of a global event. When you work with Stitch you feel like you’re all part of one team which, for us at The Design Council, is imperative. 

We're looking forward to the next event! 

We delivered: 

• Sustainable Choices and Consultancy: We integrated numerous sustainable practices within our scope and provided ongoing consultancy to help the client enhance their brief further, aligning with sustainability goals. 

• Registrations Management: Delivered a seamless user experience through a custom website and delegate app featuring agenda management, registration, and breakout session booking. This solution prioritized user-friendly navigation, detailed analytics, and efficient booking management, all while supporting sustainability objectives. 

• Live Event Execution: Managed all technical aspects, including main stage setup (lights, sound, screens, live captioning, and a down-cyclable backdrop on a fully recyclable b-matrix frame), breakout rooms, and the welcome area. 

• Virtual and Media Elements: Provided comprehensive videography and technical oversight for the virtual platform, enabling online participation for speakers and attendees. The event was streamed globally via a custom-built web service featuring moderated networking, live polling, Q&A, and engaging gamification elements, fostering worldwide interaction. 

• Event Management: Oversaw aspects of speaker and delegate coordination for both live and online formats. Local students were engaged for staffing to leave a positive legacy and minimize environmental impact. 

• Professional Delivery and Metrics: Collaborated with the Design Council team to establish goals and KPIs, ensuring successful delivery of attendance, online reach, and impact targets. 

Impact Data 

96% Materials recycled or re-used 

492 Impact Hours  

3.7 T C02e accounted 

 Other Metrics 

29 speakers 

162 in person guests 

2229 online guests 

112 countries streaming in 

 DfP was a lead-in into World Design Congress 2025, an for 15000 in-person and online guests that Stitch is producing.  

Looking leading circular-enabled event solutions? Get in touch at [email protected]