2008
Our inaugural event brought over 300 participants to Providence, RI to learn, explore, and join forces. With speakers like Cameron Sinclair, Paul Polak, and Erik Hersman, we created a space bubbling with ideas and excitement. We also featured Core77’s first-ever live 1-Hour Design Challenge.
2009
In ABWxD’s second year, attendance grew to 500. The committee brought in a new group of inspiring speakers, including Jan Chipchase, Jaime Lerner, Emeka Okafor, and Emily Pilloton. We highlighted cutting-edge spaces in Providence like the city’s first zero-energy building and partnered with Project M on (blank)LAB. The committee’s efforts paid off, garnering attention for ABWxD in publications such as Core77 and Dwell Magazine.
2010
Over 1,000 creatives descended upon Providence for our third event. In addition to speakers like Anil Gupta, Ben Hamilton-Baillie, and Emer Beamer, ABWxD broke new ground with two new initiatives: launching the Better World Challenge and the conference’s first Expo. We also celebrated the opening of the Box Office, Providence’s office building created from shipping containers.
