Cairo Design Award -the first award design platform in Egypt and the Middle East- took place for the first time in 2017. The mission was to lead the design industry in Egypt to new heights, by giving designers both the recognition and the community needed to flourish. CDA was held for the first time last year at the Nile Ritz Carlton, Cairo, and promises to become a yearly event; bringing together outstanding designers and celebrating the industry’s achievements. 

Each year, Egyptian designers from across the world compete for the CDA award, with submissions being judged in six different categories; Architecture, Interior Design, Jewellery Design, Landscape, Product Design, and Set Design. Each of which are Judged by a prestigious panel of judges, all of whom are well-known designers, including Amr Helmy (Head Juror of Product Design), Azza Fahmy (Head Juror of Jewellery Design), Karim Mekhtigian (Head Juror of Interior Design), Onsi Abou Seif (Head Juror of Set Design), and Tarek Naga (Head Juror of Architecture and Landscape). It was all organized by Mahdy’s Group in partnership with the Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) and The Egyptian National Competitiveness Council (ENCC) and powered by Capital Group Properties.

The event consisted of four segments; The Sample Board, The Y-Zone, Designers Lounge and the Grand Ceremony- all of which took place from  the 28th to the 29th of November 2017 at the Nile Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The Sample Board Exhibition gave guests the opportunity to enjoy the latest products of major brands in the design scene, including Gloria Ceramic, Natuzzi, El Sallab, Caracole, Damask, El Prince Ceramics, Egyptian American Import Export Co., Futec, Hacker, Ideal Standard, Jotun, Parador, Le Souk, Mahgoub, Maqam, Mohm, Nogal, Omash, Riadco, Sedar, Sensa, the Swedish Group, Track, and Walnut. As part of this occasion, guests also got to see the attractive BMW 4 Series car.

The Y-Zone consisted of nine exhibitors showcasing their exquisite product designs. This was to promote young Egyptian product design talents in order to nourish this design segment in Egypt.

Taking place at the Designers’ Lounge, the ceremony attracted up to 600 people, including 130 famous designers. Other notable figures also attended and gave speeches at the event, including the main organizer Mahdy’s Group CEO Mr. Hisham Mahdy and co-organizer Dr. Hossam Badrawi, Honorary Chairman of the Egyptian National Competition Council, ENCC.

At the lavish ceremony, attended by 540 prestigious guests, the winners of Cairo Design Award were finally announced, marking the successful conclusion of Egypt’s first design platform.

The event’s notable success would not have been possible without the help and support of its sponsors: DMC (Media Sponsor), BMW, DHL, Futec, Gloria Ceramic, Aroma, Damask, Daily News Egypt, The Creative Zone, ASK Magazine, Cantalop, Natuzzi, and Ideal Standard. Attendees also had the pleasure of enjoying a pleasant musical performance by Omar Khayrat.