ADCE Creative Week returns to Barcelona

The four-day event will bring together more than 500 creatives from across Europe for talks, portfolio reviews, competitions, awards ceremonies and networking activities

The Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) will hold the second edition of ADCE Creative Week in Barcelona from 17 to 20 November 2026. The four-day event will bring together more than 500 creatives from across Europe for talks, portfolio reviews, competitions, awards ceremonies and networking activities.

Hosted at DHub Barcelona, the festival is aimed at creative leaders, emerging professionals and students. The programme is designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines while recognising creative work from across Europe.

Relationships shapes the 2026 edition

The 2026 event will centre on the theme Relationships, focusing on the role of collaboration and trust in the creative process. Sessions throughout the week will explore how relationships between creatives, clients, teams and communities contribute to successful creative work.

The festival programme is intended to provide opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas, build professional networks and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the European creative industry.

Creative Leaders Summit added to programme

A major addition to this year's programme is the Creative Leaders Summit, which will bring together senior creatives and business leaders to discuss leadership, organisational change and innovation through the lens of collaboration.

The summit will feature keynote presentations and discussions examining relationships between creative teams, clients and organisations, as well as the wider networks that support the creative industry.

First speakers announced

The first confirmed speakers for the Creative Leaders Summit are:

Mihnea Gheorghiu, Global Chief Creative Officer at Le Pub
Juliana Paracencio, Executive Creative Director at Droga5
Dustin Duke, Head of Brand Innovation at Amazon Lab
Liza Enebeis, Creative Director and Partner at Studio Dumbar

Additional speakers and programme details will be announced in the coming months.

Awards, portfolio reviews and AI challenge

The ADCE Awards jury will meet during the festival to judge this year's entries, with the final round of judging once again open to the public. Visitors will be able to observe discussions leading to the Grand Prix and Special Awards.

Students, recent graduates and early-career professionals will also be able to participate in the Portfolio Review, receiving feedback from creative leaders and recruiters while meeting agencies from across Europe.

Celebrating established and emerging talent

The AI Creative Challenge will return in its tournament format, with participants responding to live briefs using AI-powered tools.

The programme also includes the ADCE Student Awards Gala, recognising student work from across Europe, and the ADCE Awards Gala, where winners of the 35th edition of the ADCE Awards will be announced.

Creative Express returns

Creative Week will also host another edition of Creative Express, bringing together selected young creatives from ADCE member countries.

Working in international teams, participants will respond to a live brief within 24 hours, with the programme focusing on collaboration and professional development through cross-border teamwork.

Early Bird tickets for the public programme will be available through the ADCE website.

www.adceurope.org

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