HUMAN, AFTER ALL
Nov 12
Nov 13, 2026
Athens, Greece
THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2026
CONFERENCE PART 1 - HUMAN, AFTER ALL
T16 BOUTIQUE OFFICE
Tzaferi 16, Athina 118 54
4.30 pm to 8.00 pm
OLIVE TREE CHAT WITH STEVE VRANAKIS
In an age of AI and automation, what remains distinctly human in design — judgement, intuition, emotion, and responsibility?
In a chat with Steve Vranakis, an award-winning Creative, Designer and Strategist from Greece, who has worked with Apple, Amazon, Google - as well as the UN and UNICEF, we’ll explore how indeas can innovate and make huge impact across everything they touch. And we'll discover why we are more powerful than we think.
WORKSHOP WITH IAN GEHLHAAR
What is the molecular structure of a great designer? What sparks the energy behind their vision? AI has changed our profession forever. The skills that once defined a good designer are shifting.
In an interactive workshop led by Ian Gehlhaar, Failfast, we’ll challenge what it means to be a GOOD DESIGNER today, drawing on insights from his Europe-wide investigation on the topic.
8.00 pm: We’ll make our way to our dinner venue, and it’s entirely up to you how you get there - on foot, by bus or by taxi.
10-minute taxi drive
15-minute by bus (stop Kolymbeterio to stop Asomaton: line 21, 049 838)
30-minute walk
MEET & MINGLE
OKUPA Hotel/Restaurant
Psaromiligkou 9, Athina 105 53
8.30 pm to 10.30 pm
OKUPA started with a strong desire shared by a few people: to create a space that breaks down the usual social barriers and brings people from all walks of life together under one roof. Their interpretation of the Spanish word “ocupar” (“to occupy”) therefore stands for the reinvention of spaces. Their mission is to connect communities across borders and build bridges between locals and travellers.
What better place could there be to celebrate our community — sharing who we are, what we do, and the friendships that help us grow together? Let’s enjoy a finger-food menu, meet new faces and old friends, and end the day in a relaxed atmosphere.
FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2026
CONFERENCE PART 2 - HUMAN, AFTER ALL
THE HUB EVENTS
Karaiskaki 28, Athina 105 54
9.30 am to 1.30 pm
Let’s explore how commercial and pro bono work can sustain and nurture a human approach to design with illustrator Catalina Estrada. Jo Smith, Visual Design Lead at Diageo, will share her perspective on building healthy, human-driven client–agency relationships.
We’ll also explore how to own AI in the best possible way: lawyer Dalia Moniat will help us navigate the need for and possibilities of labelling AI-generated imagery. And Sandra Wagner, heading the Auraveo team as CEO of Koenig & Bauer Kyana, will give us a glimpse into the opportunities that technology and AI can offer for building brands beyond the pack. But that’s not all — more inspiring talks and conversations are part of the programme. We will continously update the speakers' line-up!
1.30 pm: Flying buffet at The Hub Events
2.45 pm: We take a breath of fresh air as we cross the street to our afternoon venue.
THE WHITE BOX CHALLENGE FESTIVAL
PERRAKIS SPECIAL PAPERS
Alkminis 10, Athina 118 54
3.00 pm – 6.30 pm
What if packaging itself becomes the message? No longer just a container, packaging canbecome an artwork, a symbol, a cultural vehicle or a lasting artefact. We’veinvited design schools from across Europe to rethink packaging as a hybrid object, blending design, art and communication.
Angelo Ferrara, CD & Partner at Robilant, leading the EPDA White Challlenge Project, opens the session with his talk “Is anything still brave enough to risk being unloved?” Six student teams, from Lithuania to Greece, will then share the results of their journeys.
Immerse yourself in a world beyond restrictions and limitations. Be inspired, intrigued and seduced! And let’s raise a toast to the committed young design talents — to their courage and open-mindedness in presenting their work to a professional audience!
DINNER & DIALOGUE
8.00 pm to 11.00 pm
CINAPOS Restaurant
Iraklidon 10, Athina 118 51
SATURDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2026
RELAX & RESTORE
11.00 am to 3.00 pm
tbc
We reserve the right to make changes.
21-09-2026
Get to know our Speakers!
We will continuously update this page.
You can find all venues on a map here.
T16 - Thursday Venue
A unique, award-winning boutique office, meeting & event space - the epitome of the modern tendency towards inclusive spaces for work, meetings and events. Located next to the Benaki Museum on Pireos Street, this former cosmetics factory has been transformed into a place to fall in love with.
OKUPA - Thursday Dinner I Accommodation
Okupa Athens is a multi-purpose urban hub in Athens, combining hotel rooms, co-working spaces, restaurant and cafe, and curating vibrant socio-cultural events.
Thursday Dinner: What better place could there be to celebrate our community — sharing who we are,what we do, and the friendships that help us grow together?
Hotel rooms bookable via EPDA ticketing platform:
2-nights stay from 12 - 14 November 2026, including breakfast
Cozy room with balcony: 360 Euros
Double Room: 360 Euros
Double Room with terrace: 390 Euros
King Room: 380 Euros
THE HUB EVENTS - Friday morning Venue
The HUB Events building, which in the past housed a large T-Shirt factory, is one of the most characteristic examples of industrial architecture of the past decades in Athens.
The venue is located in the same area as T16, one of the city’s most upcoming and contemporary centers, surrounded by theaters, museums, co-working spaces and bars, which all create a rich cultural mix of urban life. It is a large industrial building, with Bauhaus elements, which thanks to its flexible infrastructure can host a variety of events.
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PERRAKIS PAPERS - Friday afternoon Venue
One and a half centuries ago, the Perrakis family began its journey in the world of paper. Four generations later, this passion for a material that has carried human thoughts and traces of civilisation continues to inspire creativity. Today, their bright headquarters on Alkminis Street has become a meeting place for creatives and paper lovers — a space to connect, exchange ideas and create together.
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CINAPOS - Friday Dinner
With a history dating back to 1845, Cinapos takes you on a journey through old Athens. Set in a beautifully restored neoclassical building, it combines original features, local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. In the charming courtyard, around the olive tree, simple, full-flavoured dishes and a relaxed atmosphere invite guests to gather, share and enjoy.
CONFERENCE FEES
EARLY-BIRD: 21 September to 18 October 2026
1st representative of a member agency: 390 €
2nd representative of a member agency: 195 €
1st representative of a non-member agency: 585 €
2nd representative of a non-member agency: 290 €
Young design agency (owners below 35 years): 195€
1st industry representative: 650 €
2nd industry representative: 325 €
REGULAR: 19 October to 11 November 2026
1st representative of a member agency: 450 €
2nd representative of a member agency: 225 €
1st representative of a non-member agency: 675 €
2nd representative of a non-member agency: 335 €
Young design agency (owners below 35 years): 225 €
1st industry representative: 750 €
2nd industry representative: 375 €
EVENING PROGRAMME
MEET & MINGLE: 12 November 2026
Finger-food buffet including beverage: 70 €
DINNER & DIALOGUE: 13 November 2026
3-course Menu including beverage: 75 €
Registering for an EPDA event is easy! Simply click “Register here” to access our online booking service. If you have any questions about the booking process, please contact claudia@epda-design.com before registering.
There is no approval step — your ticket will be issued immediately. You can edit, transfer or cancel your booking up to 7 days before the event.
Note:
Early-Bird Conference Fees are available until 18 October 2026.
ACCOMMODATION
The hotel scene in Athens is vast, from charming boutique hotels and luxurious spa resorts to affordable hotel chains. There’s something for every taste and budget. For those who would like to stay together, we have a few recommendations. Please check the section LOCATIONS for all details. At a glance:
OKUPA (around 160 Euros / night)
This is the hub-character hotel where we will have dinner on Thursday evening. It is located in a housing are, not in the very city centre. This is the hub hotel, where we will have dinner on Thursday evening. It is located in a residential area, just outside the city centre.
5 rooms: bookable via the EPDA website, included in your conference registration and invoice
Deadline: 30 September 2026
INN ATHENS (around 160 Euros / night)
A 40 room-hotel in a historic building located a few steps from Syntagma square and the never sleeping ermou street, urban destination.
8 rooms: bookable via the EPDA website, included in your conference registration and invoice
Deadline: 30 October 2026
THE FRESH HOTEL (around 160 Euros / night)
Reopened in 2023, the Fresh Hotel with its 148 rooms is located in Athinas Street — one of Athens’ most iconic thoroughfares. Inspired by the area’s multifaceted character, the design blends modernist, neoclassical and folkloric influences found throughout the street and the hotel itself.
20 rooms: bookable directly with the hotel by email to reservations@freshhotel.gr using the booking code EPDA27
Deadline: 15 October 2026
ERGON HOUSE ATHENS / BAKE HOUSE ATHENS / HOUSE ERMOU (180 - 250 Euro / night)
bookable upon availability directly with the hotel by email using the booking code EPDA_Athens
ARION (around 90 Euros / night)
7 rooms: bookable directly with the hotel by email to hara@tourhotel.gr
Deadline: 15 October 2026
Check detailed information in the section LOCATIONS.
