Since its launch by Hong Kong Design Centre in 2002, Business of Design Week (BODW) has emerged as a highly significant platform in Asia for the discussion of the intricate relationship between design and business on a global scale.

This year, from 28 November to 3 December, the event will again gather together many of the world’s foremost innovative thinkers and business leaders around the globe to speak on a broad range of 21st century challenges in design, technology and brand management.

The BODW programme will comprise a mix of forums, seminars, exhibitions, and outreach programmes.

“With design being key to business success, BODW serves to mix both aspects into one body, focusing on their importance together,” says Hong Kong Design Centre’s project director, William To.

The China market will be an important topic of discussion at BODW. “Just as China is the world’s fastest growing country, the potential for Chinese designers and brands to capture a bigger market share is huge,” says To.

BODW speaker Jiang Qiong-er, creator of luxury Chinese brand “Shang Xia” for Hermes.

As such, To says that the BODW Forum is adding a new track, “Heritage and Design”, as an idea exchange and learning platform on design education and brand building culture for Chinese enterprises and the design community. Speakers will include renowned Chinese designers such as Jiang Qiong-er, the creator of the luxury Chinese brand “Shang Xia” for Hermes, and Jeff Shi, the founder and chief creative director of Dragon Fly Design Centre, Beijing.

A Shenzhen industrial design forum this year will also address China (specifically Shenzhen’s) progress in the industrial design field, while attention will also be directed to the subject of the environment.

“With environmental issues remaining a major world concern, we will additionally feature designers who specialise in sustainability and eco-design, such as Nosigner from Japan, and Germany’s Werner Sobek,” says To.

BODW will also address issues in urban redevelopment, with speakers such as John Higson from Sweden to discuss his 100 House Project, a social design initiative that incorporates culture, art and sustainability in community development, as well as Shigeru Ban, who will share his experience in disaster relief and architectural design for sustainable development.

For more on Business of Design Week, visit bodw.com/2011/en/