Wednesday, October 7
Day 1
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Exhibition
- 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM · Conferences
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM · Lunch / Bistro
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Cocktail / Networking
Explore the full Expo Design 2026 program, including conferences, key moments, and activities across multiple stages.
Wednesday, October 7
Thursday, October 8
Philippe Hébert – Lightbeans
Discover how the next generation of designers visualize, select, and integrate materials into their projects.
Christian Marin – Dorr Industries
Marc-Antoine Bélisle
Discover Expo Design's featured conferences and exhibitor presentations.
Caroline Dubuc — Bureau du design de la Ville de Montréal
Conference presented in French.
Presented by Caroline Dubuc — Bureau du design de la Ville de Montréal.
Since joining the Bureau du design team, Caroline has contributed to establishing design and architecture competition processes in Montréal and has supported their implementation for more than 15 years. She currently works to highlight the importance and role of design, as well as the key contribution designers and architects can make to advancing the circular economy in the construction sector.
The reuse ecosystem in Montréal's construction, renovation and demolition sector is taking shape. Attend the presentation of an initial mapping of the stakeholders needed at every stage of a project to successfully implement circular practices.
Organized according to the different stages of a project, this mapping unfolds as a complete reuse scenario. It is a tool that applies to design and architecture projects as well as events, landscape design, and scenographic and museum productions.
Marie-Chantal Milette — Kryptonie
Conference presented in French.
Marie-Chantal Milette is among the world's few specialists in colour. A graduate of The Creative Circus in graphic design and advertising, she also studied under Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone® Color Institute and a global authority on colour psychology.
Known for successfully predicting the Pantone Colour of the Year on several occasions, she is now a sought-after speaker and trainer. She works with organizations such as Sico, Formica, L'Oréal, Costco, Logiflex, Artopex and APDIQ, and has introduced thousands of professionals to the power of colour. Through her conferences, she shares a unique perspective that transforms how we see, understand and use colour.
What trends will shape tomorrow's spaces, products and consumer behaviours? Through an accessible and inspiring analysis, colour expert Marie-Chantal Milette will present the five major trends that will define 2027.
Emerging colours, rising materials, new processes and changing consumer expectations: this conference offers a concrete preview of the future to help design professionals make better decisions today. Leave with actionable insights you can immediately integrate into your projects.
Judive Jean-Gilles & Florence Morin-Laurin — Les Elles de la construction
Conference presented in French.
Judive Jean-Gilles is Chair of the Board of Directors of Les Elles de la construction and President of Cygne Béton, a Québec company specializing in the design and manufacturing of concrete furniture and architectural elements.
As a co-founder of the company, she combines management, design, creativity and entrepreneurship in an industry where materials, precision and on-site execution are central to project quality. Committed to the recognition and professional development of women in the industry, she brings an entrepreneurial, practical and strategic perspective.
Florence Morin-Laurin is President of FML Consultation and a member of the Board of Directors of Les Elles de la construction.
With a background in construction, she has worked in project management, business development and strategy with companies in the construction, real estate and professional services sectors.
Her work focuses on structuring growth, showcasing expertise and developing lasting business relationships. At Les Elles de la construction, she applies this strategic perspective to promoting women's expertise and ensuring their full participation in shaping the industry's future.
Presented by Les Elles de la construction, this conference highlights the concrete contributions of women and diverse teams within the building, design and construction industries. For more than 13 years, Les Elles de la construction has supported the recognition, professional development and advancement of women in an industry that remains predominantly male.
In design projects, the quality of the spaces delivered depends as much on the richness of team discussions as on the individual talent of team members. When professionals with complementary backgrounds work together, they draw on a broader range of references, experiences and perspectives. This leads to greater creativity, more effective problem-solving and solutions that better meet the actual needs of occupants.
Through examples from their professional experience, Judive Jean-Gilles and Florence Morin-Laurin will demonstrate how diverse profiles, roles and viewpoints directly influence design decisions and overall project performance. Their presentation draws on real-life situations in which a different perspective helped identify a problem, uncover a blind spot or open an unexpected creative avenue.
Grounded in real-world experience, this conference invites design professionals to reflect on the composition and dynamics of their project teams, as well as the role women play in the decisions that shape our spaces, construction sites and living environments.
Nicolas Brien — Parkour3
Conference presented in French with simultaneous English interpretation.
Presented by Nicolas Brien — Parkour3.
For several years, Nicolas Brien has supported manufacturing, technology and professional services companies in their digital transformation at Parkour3, Québec's largest HubSpot partner agency.
His expertise covers the entire journey, from CRM architecture and automation to discoverability disciplines such as SEO and AEO.
A regular speaker on Québec's digital scene, he has presented at events including Stratégie PME and Salon Connexion. He approaches digital strategy with the same discipline as a training program: strong foundations, measurable progress and consistent execution.
Your customers no longer search the way they used to. They ask a question and receive an answer generated by artificial intelligence, which independently determines which brands to cite and which to ignore.
ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google's AI Overviews no longer simply provide ten blue links. They generate the answer themselves. In this new landscape, ranking well is no longer enough: your brand must be understood, cited and recommended by AI.
This presentation explores Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), an emerging discipline that determines a brand's visibility in AI-powered answer engines.
From information structure and visual hierarchy to trust signals, we will examine how seemingly minor design decisions directly influence your presence in AI-generated answers.
The goal? Leave with a clear understanding of the concrete, often overlooked strategies that make the difference between a brand that gets cited and one that remains invisible.
Jenchieh Hung & Kulthida Songkittipakdee — HAS design and research
Conference presented in English with simultaneous French interpretation.
Conference by Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS design and research. Presented at Expo Design by Kulthida Songkittipakdee.
Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee are internationally renowned architects based in Bangkok and the founders of Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS design and research.
Their practice is distinguished by an approach that combines research, experimentation and a commitment to sustainable, context-sensitive architecture.
Their notable projects include Museum of Modern Aluminum Thailand, Simple Art Museum, High Line Bangkok, Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground, The Glade Bookstore, Forest Villa and Casa de Zanotta.
Their work has received widespread international recognition. Their firm was notably the first in Thailand to be included in the UK's Wallpaper Architects' Directory and featured in the Louis Vuitton City Guide Bangkok.
They have also received major distinctions, including the Créateurs Design Award in France and the Golden Trezzini Award in Russia.
They have been invited to serve as jurors for leading international platforms, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Awards: Asia Pacific and the Grands Prix du Design Awards.
Alongside their professional practice, they have received lifetime honorary professorships and teach at Tongji University and Chulalongkorn University, actively contributing to the evolution of contemporary architectural discourse.
Chameleon Architecture: Designing for a World in Transition reflects the ongoing exploration by Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS design and research into architecture's ability to adapt, transform and respond to an ever-changing global context.
In a world shaped by environmental uncertainty, social transformation and accelerating technology, architects and professors Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee approach design as a living system rather than a fixed solution.
Their approach emphasizes flexibility, modularity and cultural sensitivity as essential drivers of resilience.
Like a chameleon, architecture must constantly negotiate between permanence and transformation, integrating into its surroundings while maintaining a strong identity.
Jean-Luc Vincent, Benoit Meunier & Afram Karazivan — IES-Montréal
Conference presented in French with simultaneous English interpretation.
Presented by a panel of IES-Montréal experts.
A graduate of UQAM in Environmental Design and Lighting Certified (LC) by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions, Jean-Luc Vincent brings more than 40 years of lighting expertise.
Specializing in the development of innovative technological solutions, he has collaborated with leading North American manufacturers to support building professionals on their projects.
Highly involved with the Illuminating Engineering Society, he has served twice as President of the IES-Montréal section and as Vice President for District 1 at the national level.
A lighting professional with 43 years of experience, Benoit Meunier has extensive expertise in lighting design and solutions tailored to various environments.
Holding the Lighting Certification (LC) and a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES Montréal), he has contributed to advancing lighting practices by combining performance, safety and energy efficiency.
Throughout his career, Benoit has also been committed to education and training, sharing his knowledge and supporting the development of new generations of industry professionals.
After growing up in a family-owned lighting retail business, Afram had the opportunity to work in lighting manufacturing and product design before joining the EDP agency in Montréal.
With more than 18 years of specification experience, he has collaborated with architects, designers and engineers on several award-winning lighting projects in Québec.
Designing high-quality lighting requires strategic decisions with lasting consequences. During this presentation, IES-Montréal will bring together a panel of experienced experts to discuss real-world challenges.
From theory to practice, this group of experts will explore the critical aspects of interior and exterior lighting design.
The objective? Identify frequently overlooked variables that influence the success of a lighting concept.
Join us for an open discussion about the informed decisions that should be prioritized in this constantly evolving technological landscape.
Mardi Najafi & Joanne Chan — SDI Design
Conference presented in English with simultaneous French interpretation.
Presented by Mardi Najafi and Joanne Chan — SDI Design.
Mardi Najafi is Principal and Chief Creative Officer at SDI Design. With more than two decades of experience designing retail environments, Mardi is recognized for his strategic vision and ability to transform brand identity into retail spaces that combine performance and customer experience.
He has led major international projects for leading brands across North America and beyond, working at the intersection of design, technology and commerce.
Joanne Chan is Principal and Chief Innovation Officer at SDI Design.
Specializing in digital ecosystems and technology integration in retail, Joanne explores how AI, data and omnichannel strategies are transforming the relationship between brands and their customers.
Her work lies at the intersection of innovation, strategic design and the transformation of retail formats.
North American retail is entering a new era shaped by evolving consumer expectations, economic uncertainty, digital acceleration and the renewed importance of physical experiences.
As brands rethink the role, connections and performance of their stores, retail environments are becoming more agile, experiential and operationally intelligent.
This conference explores the major forces redefining retail across North America and beyond, from omnichannel integration and AI-powered personalization to evolving store formats, workforce challenges and new definitions of value.
Through design perspectives, emerging case studies and industry analysis, the conference examines how retailers can remain relevant, resilient and competitive in a rapidly transforming market.
Attendees will gain a forward-looking understanding of the trends shaping the future of retail and the opportunities emerging for brands ready to rethink the role of physical stores.
Stéphane Bernier, Claire Tousignant, Jacinthe Leduc, Raphaëlle Parenteau & Tony Babinski
Conference presented in French with simultaneous English interpretation.
Panel moderator: Stéphane Bernier. Panelists: Claire Tousignant, Jacinthe Leduc, Raphaëlle Parenteau and Tony Babinski.
With several decades of experience, Stéphane Bernier leads the retail environments practice at Ædifica.
Recognized for his ability to transform brand identity into high-value spatial experiences, he has led major projects for local, North American and international brands across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
His approach, at the intersection of architecture, experiential design and brand strategy, aims to create environments that generate engagement, desirability and measurable results.
As a director and partner at MASSIVart, a Montréal-based firm operating internationally in cultural strategy, public art and place-based experiences, Claire Tousignant develops integrated strategies that connect artistic vision, business objectives and long-term impact.
She collaborates with real estate developers and institutional partners, orchestrating complex projects in which design, production and implementation form a cohesive whole.
With more than two decades of experience in the industry, Jacinthe Leduc leads creative development and global expansion strategies for the Garage and Dynamite brands at Groupe Dynamite Inc., overseeing major rollouts across North America and Europe.
Her portfolio includes prestigious corporate environments and award-winning international flagship stores, where she combines bold imagination, execution excellence and environmental commitment.
With nearly 20 years of experience designing major projects for clients in the corporate, cultural, institutional and hospitality sectors, Raphaëlle Parenteau develops workplace strategies at Ædifica that respond to the changing realities of the modern work environment.
Her collaborative approach, grounded in market intelligence, aims to create environments that accurately reflect each organization's values and ambitions.
Tony Babinski works at the intersection of retail, architecture and placemaking, specializing in shaping customer journeys that transform spaces into destinations.
His projects include Adidas stores in New York, London and China, the award-winning MuvBox in Times Square, a museum for Ajax Football Club in Amsterdam and the JARDIN D'HIVER installation with Ædifica.
He is also the author of the official history of Cirque du Soleil and co-author of Conversational Capital (Financial Times Press).
An experience-centered approach — storytelling, journey mapping and attention to the human dimension — is becoming a cornerstone of the most innovative design practices.
By moving beyond functional and technical considerations, designers can place experience at the heart of every project. Each decision then contributes to a coherent and meaningful journey, from the initial concept to final delivery.
Successful experiential design creates powerful emotional responses: surprise, wonder and a sense of belonging. These emotions transcend trends and give rise to environments that stand the test of time.
For architects and designers, an experience-first methodology also becomes a powerful tool. It clarifies intent, aligns stakeholders and protects a project's integrity in the face of inevitable budget and scheduling compromises.
Johannie Sirois-Paquette — Formica Canada
Johannie works with architects, designers and manufacturers in the selection and implementation of innovative and sustainable surface solutions.
This presentation explores how colour choices in commercial environments influence functionality, emotional impact and user experience.
Joannie Denault & Christina Lambert — Uniboard Canada
A graduate in interior design, Joannie has more than 18 years of experience in representation, sales and specification with architects and designers.
For the past three years, she has worked at Uniboard in architectural specification, covering the Greater Montréal and Ottawa markets. She assists professionals in selecting tailored solutions, including colours, finishes and materials, according to the specific requirements of each project.
Known for her service-oriented approach, strong product expertise and in-depth market knowledge, Joannie excels at building lasting relationships with the architecture and design community.
For more than twenty years, Christina has been doing what she loves: finding the right colour, the right texture and the right feeling in a material.
With a background in photography and visual arts, she has developed a keen eye for light, composition and contrast, which she now applies to surface design.
After working in a design firm and spending several years as a kitchen designer in the woodworking industry, she shifted her career toward the intersection of design, materials and manufacturing realities.
Today, as Design Manager at Uniboard, Christina leads the development of new collections, helping shape coherent and inspiring palettes for the decorative panel and composite wood industries.
As a designer who values the overall experience, she knows that how a surface feels is just as important as how it looks.
From panel composition to their transformation into high-performance decorative surfaces, this presentation takes you inside our expertise.
It highlights our manufacturing processes, sustainability commitments and the richness of our solutions.
Cedrick McClish — Hettich
With more than twenty years of experience in woodworking, design and hardware, Cedrick McClish has developed a unique expertise: understanding and simplifying products to transform a piece of furniture from a drawing into something that moves.
His strength lies in making technical concepts simple, logical and engaging, helping turn every project from a drawing into real movement.
He began his career in 2004 as Chief Estimator in architectural woodworking, developing a deep understanding of manufacturing details.
In 2013, he joined Prémoulé, where he refined his customer service and listening skills. Beginning in 2015, he further developed his operational leadership at the St-Jérôme and Joliette cutting centres.
In 2017, he joined Hettich Canada and discovered his true calling: sharing knowledge.
Today, he supports designers, architects, cabinetmakers, furniture assemblers, manufacturers and specialized workshops through a practical and accessible approach grounded in real-world experience.
His philosophy: "If the person I'm training doesn't become better than me, I haven't done my job."
Since 2025, Cedrick has been a speaker at EXPO Bois Design, EXPO Inspiration & Tendance and the current edition of EXPO Bois Design. He is also a presenter for Chroniques Design Hettich 2025.
FurnSpin transforms furniture into a true experience with a 180° pivot that reveals, conceals and transforms.
Hettich outdoor kitchens, meanwhile, push the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
Christian Marin — Dörr Industries
With an international career spanning more than 25 years in sales and business development, Christian brings recognized expertise in B2B account management, specialized furniture and consumer products.
Philippe Hébert — Lightbeans
Philippe Hébert is Co-Founder and CEO of Lightbeans, a Québec technology company transforming the way materials are visualized and specified in architecture.
Discover how the next generation of designers visualizes, selects and integrates materials into their projects through visualization tools and hyperrealistic 3D textures.
Marc-Antoine Bélisle — Dörr Industries
Marc-Antoine has been with Dörr Industries for four years, supporting customers in the specification and installation of Integra FLUSH WALL DOOR systems.
Johannie Sirois-Paquette — Formica Canada
Johannie works with architects, designers and manufacturers in the selection and implementation of innovative and sustainable surface solutions.
Discover the latest FENIX® products and Homapal® metallic laminate innovations: shimmering 3D patterns, satin-finished copper and inspiring surfaces for elegant, long-lasting designs.
Megan Duchesne — Olon
Discover how Olon's decorative surfaces and components are designed to work together, simplifying specification and providing greater design freedom.
Through our coordinated colours, finishes and solutions, this presentation explores an integrated approach to design, from specification to manufacturing.