What
The longest lunch in the design agency calendar returns for its 30th year. Enjoy an agenda free afternoon with 100 of the design industries finest folk whilst enjoying good wine, great food and stimulating conversation.
When
03.10.24. 12.30pm til late.
Why
Back in 1994, the very first Podge lunch at Quaglinos offered an unexpected snapshot of an industry. Most of the people at the table were graphic designers. There were a couple of printers. And there was me, a typesetter. Read more...Without much planning, using a fax machine to send invitations, we found ourselves in very good company. But when we looked up from our lunches, the creative and cultural diversity our industry has today was notable by its absence.Without much planning, using a fax machine to send invitations, we found ourselves in very good company. But when we looked up from our lunches, the creative and cultural diversity our industry has today was notable by its absence.Over time, as the design industry changed shape, so did Podge. Digital Podge, which turns 21 this year, embraced a whole new community working in a technology that didn’t even exist in 1994. Stodge Podge followed, created to bring together the northern creative contingent.Today, as we look to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Podge (as a lunch, and as an idea) we felt it was a good opportunity to look ahead. Like Podge in ’94 was a snapshot of the industry, back then, so Podge in ’24 needs to reflect an industry that is more creatively and culturally diverse than ever before.Critically, Podge remains an opportunity for people in the creative industries to sit down together as competitors and compadres and share ideas, challenges and opportunities over a few drinks and a good plate of food. To that extent, whether people are from design or digital seems far less important today. Creating a space in which the leaders of today and tomorrow can connect, make and maintain those connections is what Podge has always been about.Of course, we know there are ways that people can connect online, but we believe in the importance of building relationships across the industry in the real world. It’s what has made Podge so special. And we know that connections made at Podge can last a lifetime.So, we had a bit of a think, and it occurred to us that having a design lunch and a digital lunch only perpetuates definitions that feel more restrictive than beneficial. In fact, Podge lunches might be one of the last places where design and digital are kept separate - especially when agencies have already blurred the definitions.With all this in mind, we are going to acknowledge 30 years of Design Podge and 21 years of Digital Podge by bringing the events together, so they become one Podge. And we’ve spent lots of time coming up with a cracking new name.We’re calling it ‘The Podge Lunch’.Some people may only have attended Design Podge or Digital Podge in the past. But the skills, expertise and ideas of each have been informing the other for years.So, we invite you to enjoy THE LAST SUPPER on Thursday 3rd October, as we give the original Podge a send off to remember and welcome in a new era of Podge. One that we are very excited to curate and one we know you will enjoy in equal measure!Cheers to 30 years!
Starter
Something delicious being cooked up by the Chef as we speak
Main
Something equally delicious will follow. A meat, fish and vegetarian option to select from.
Dessert
And the icing on the cake, will of course, be... delicious. And may well be icing on a cake!
Groucho Club
45 Dean Street, London, W1D 4QB
Google (MAPS) it
The Royal Family
Practice those bows and the curtsy’s because the VIP’s are in town.
Three cheers to the fabulous folk who support Design Podge and help to get everyone together each year enabling them the chance to switch off, recharge, get inspired and remind ourselves of why agency life is so blooming wonderful!
The Court Jesters
Podge wouldn’t be Podge without bold creative, witty humour and a lot of personality. All of it comes courtesy of this years brilliant creative partners.
