Sign up for the inspirational trip to Turin, a UNESCO Creative City of Design

Turin, once the beating heart of Italy’s manufacturing industry and home to FIAT, has undergone an impressive transformation. The city has evolved from an industrial hub into a diverse, innovative knowledge economy. Today, Turin is recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, where industrial heritage goes hand in hand with cutting-edge technology and creativity.

This transition is visible throughout the cityscape: old factory halls have been transformed into vibrant innovation hubs and cultural centres. The focus has shifted from pure assembly to deep tech, space technology and circular urbanism.

Join us to discover how Turin is using its rich industrial past as a foundation for a sustainable and technological future at the foot of the Alps.

Tuesday 8 September – Journey there & City Vision

Morning & afternoon

• Journey there: Departure from Brussels at 08:35. Upon arrival in Turin, we will check in at the Hilton Turin Centre and have lunch at the hotel, after which we will immediately begin our in-depth immersion.
• Urban Lab: We will visit the Urban Lab, the information centre guiding Turin’s urban transformation. Here, we will receive an introduction to the city’s economic and urban development.
  Afternoon

Evening

We will round off the first day with an Apero Tour through the city’s charming squares, followed by a group dinner.

Wednesday 9 September – Design, Architecture & Innovation

Morning:

Inspiring bike tour: We’ll explore the city by bike, focusing on various iconic locations. Some of the many highlights include:

• Casa del Quartiere di San Salvario: An example of social design and neighbourhood development.
• Nuvola Lavazza: Lavazza’s award-winning headquarters, an architectural masterpiece.
• Parco Dora: A post-industrial park on the site of former steelworks

Afternoon: 
OGR & Circolo del Design

• Lunch and visit @ OGR: We’ll have lunch at the Officine Grandi Riparazioni, once a site where trains were repaired, now a ‘cathedral’ of innovation. In the Techstars section, we’ll meet the pioneers in Deeptech, whilst at I3P (the world’s best university incubator) we’ll see how Turin has become a European leader in the aerospace sector.
• Circolo del Design: After some free time, we are invited by the Camera di Commercio di Torino for a networking drinks reception at Circolo del Design (Designregio Kortrijk’s sister organisation in Turin). This venue is the central platform for promoting design and creativity in the region and brings together entrepreneurs, designers and institutions. There, we meet the local business network in an inspiring, design-driven environment.

Evening: 
Dinner in the centre of Turin.

Thursday 10 September – Automotive Heritage & Industry 4.0

Morning:

• Ferrino: Ferrino is a legendary name in the outdoor world and an absolute pioneer in technical textiles. This modest family business has been innovating since 1870: from the invention of waterproof fabrics to supplying specialist equipment to various armies and the most demanding ultra-adventurers at extreme altitudes (such as Reinhold Messner).
• GranStudio: Turin is the capital of automotive design. GranStudio, founded by Kortrijk-based designer Lowie Vermeersch, is one of the leading independent studios of the moment. Here we see how design is being used to solve the complex challenges of future mobility and autonomous driving.
  
  Afternoon:

Lingotto & Pinacoteca Agnelli: This is Turin’s most iconic building. In the 1920s, it was the most modern factory in the world, where cars were transported upwards via a spiral ramp to be tested on the world-famous rooftop circuit. We will visit the Agnelli family’s art collection and have lunch at the FIAT CAFÉ 500, which overlooks the roof garden (La Pista 500), now the largest linear roof park in Europe.

Afternoon:

CIM 4.0: To round off the tour, we’ll take a closer look at the ‘Industry of the Future’. CIM 4.0 is a strategic hub that supports companies in their digital transformation. Here, we will see the practical applications of additive manufacturing (industrial-scale 3D printing), robotics, AI and digital twins. It is the place where Turin’s historic manufacturing industry is securing its digital future.

Return journey: Departure for the airport for the 19:00 flight, arriving in Brussels at 22:35.

We will be staying at the Hilton Turin Centre, a five-star hotel housed in an iconic rationalist building dating from 1953, designed by Emilio Decker. The recently refurbished building combines marble and natural stone with contemporary design and embodies Turin’s tradition of architectural innovation. Thanks to its central location, it is an ideal base.

Price including flights, hotel, transfers, lunches and dinners, and visits:

Price for a single room: 2,600 EUR
Price for a double room: 2,360 EUR

Prices are subject to change due to alterations in (airport) taxes and fuel surcharges.

(Not included: any insurance, transfer to and from Brussels Airport)

For this trip, we are working in partnership with MI AGENCY (VVR member – 7135)

Tel: 0495 79 54 55

Email: marianne@mi-agency.be

Once we have received your registration, MI AGENCY will send you the invoice.

Payment of 50% is due immediately.

The balance is due by 15 July 2026 at the latest.

Cancellation fees:
After registration up to and including 14 July: EUR 500.00
After 15 July up to and including 31 July: EUR 1,200.00
From 1 August: full amount