The Design Collective 2026: This Is What Connection Feels Like
September 15, 2026 — Montreal
On September 15, Union brought together more than 40 designers, creatives and industry voices for the first Design Collective—a day built around ideas, conversation and connection.
What started on stage quickly moved beyond it. Introductions became conversations, experiences were shared, and new relationships formed across the room.
Six Voices. Six Perspectives.
Throughout the day, six speakers opened conversations around creativity, business, design, technology, storytelling and the relationships behind successful creative work.
Different perspectives, but one idea kept coming back: growth becomes more meaningful when we create space for others along the way.
Beyond the Stage
Some of the most memorable moments happened between sessions.
People stayed to ask questions, compare experiences and meet someone new. That was always part of the intention behind The Design Collective: not simply to bring people together to listen, but to create space for the design community to genuinely connect.
It’s All About the People
What made the first Design Collective special was ultimately the people in the room.
Designers, founders, creatives and industry partners arrived with different experiences but a shared willingness to exchange ideas and support one another.
People came ready to connect and left feeling part of something bigger.
A collective.
The Partners Behind the Collective
The day would not have been possible without the brands and partners who believed in what we were creating.
A special thank you to Eurofase Lighting, Thesis, Stanpro, Kuzco, Hudson Valley Lighting Group, Maxim Lighting, Currey & Company, Visual Comfort & Co., Palecek and Matteo for helping us create a space for conversation, new ideas and stronger relationships across the design community.
And to our hospitality partners—Café Olimpico, Java U, Nutterie and Mid-Day Squares—thank you for keeping the conversations fuelled throughout the day.
This Is Only the Beginning
To everyone who joined us, shared something, asked a question or simply brought their energy into the room—thank you.
The Design Collective was created around something Union has always believed in: great design grows through relationships, collaboration and community.
And this was only the beginning.
More Than Sourcing. A Partner in the Design Community.
The Design Collective is one part of how Union supports designers beyond the product selection itself.
Through our Trade Program, designers have access to project support, sourcing, quotes, specifications, finish coordination, lead-time guidance, substitutions and a team that understands what it takes to move a project forward.
Whether you’re working on one room or an entire project, we’re with you through the process.