Design, DJ Beats & DIY Bouquets

The East Bay City Center team brought the energy (and the flowers!) to Oakland this August for the 2nd Annual East Bay Design Expo—and what a night it was! Hosted once again at the vibrant Bloc15, the event gathered nearly 150 design professionals and over 30 vendors for an evening filled with creativity, community, and connection.

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The venue’s industrial charm set the perfect backdrop for a showcase of innovation and artistry, while our theme of “creative partnerships” highlighted the East Bay’s incredible maker spirit.

A Celebration of Collaboration

This year, the Expo shined a spotlight on the intersection of design and craft. Vendors were encouraged to share their custom capabilities and maker collaborations, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.
One standout? DJ Jude Wellington, founder of In The Mix Productions, who not only kept the dance vibes flowing but also showcased his custom contract-grade DJ booths—designed in collaboration with local furniture fabricators.

“The feedback and energy we received from attendees were extraordinary,” said Jude. “Together, I believe we sparked meaningful conversations about how DJ culture and design can bridge creativity, community, and workplace experience.”

Design With Purpose: Partnering With IDO

The East Bay team also proudly partnered with Industrial Design Outreach (IDO) as this year’s philanthropic beneficiary. IDO introduces industrial design to kids in underserved communities—empowering the next generation of makers.

Before the event, Eric Pfeiffer hosted a design charrette with IDO students, who prototyped their own furniture pieces to display on the Expo’s main stage. Attendees had the chance to meet the students in person, see their work up close, and learn more about IDO’s mission directly from Program Director Amy Berk, who shared a few heartfelt words during the evening’s program.

Through raffle ticket sales (and a few friendly bidding wars!), the Expo raised over $600 for IDO—thanks to generous vendor-donated prizes ranging from wine and gift cards to lighting and furniture.

A Picnic Party for the Design Community

And of course, it wouldn’t be an East Bay event without a few creative touches. Guests enjoyed a “picnic-style” spread of food and refreshments, upbeat tunes, and the now-famous Build-Your-Own-Bouquet station dreamed up by Kelly Toole—a fan favorite that had attendees leaving with smiles (and armfuls of flowers).

The event’s playful details—from custom signage to the Instagram-worthy photo booth—made for a night that perfectly balanced professionalism with personality.

“Working with you all is genuinely enjoyable,” Kelly wrote to the planning committee after the event. “We received so much positive feedback on our second expo, and I agree it was more successful than our first. The venue loves working with us, too.”

Looking Ahead

Between the great turnout, the creative energy, and the seamless operations (shoutout to Bloc15 for handling both trash and bar service—every planner’s dream), this year’s Expo set the bar high for 2026.

Huge thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, or stopped by to celebrate the best of design in the East Bay. Special congratulations to Amanda Darus, officially welcomed as the new Director of the East Bay City Center—we can’t wait to see where she helps take the chapter next!

Until next year, keep creating, collaborating, and connecting.