Meet DDD 2021 Headline Sponsors:
Acoulite, Milliken & SURFACE ELEVEN

This year, Surge’s ‘Design, Dine, Make a Difference’ Gala is themed GAIA, focusing on our connection to Mother Earth. Eleven of the region’s top designers have taken on the challenge to create functional designs that represent our changing planet and humanity’s role in the change. With eight awards up for grabs, we are sure that the entries will be fascinating!

While this exciting night brings together the A+D community and some of their most innovative designs, the main purpose of the event is to celebrate sustainable design and to provide sustainable safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to the world. All of Surge’s sponsors are key to the event’s success; however, the Headline Sponsors deserve special recognition.

This year, Surge is pleased to announce Acoulite, Milliken, and SURFACE ELEVEN as returning Headline Sponsors. With their continued support, they allow Surge to fulfill its mission and impact thousands of people annually!

Acoulite is the Middle East’s leading Lighting and Acoustic supplier and a longtime supporter of Surge. As a Headline sponsor they are once again helping us make the world brighter!

Terry Woodley, Acoulite’s CEO shared,

“Surge for Water is a great cause for us to donate to and as Acoulite has a very high level of corporate social responsibility, it is part of our DNA to find and support causes that are worthwhile and so we continue to support Surge with their wonderful mission. The Design, Dine, and Make a Difference Gala is also an opportunity for us to network with our industry peers and have an enjoyable evening. Access to safe water is a basic human right, and we are so grateful to support Surge in creating a world where access to safe water is for all.”

Milliken believes in designing beautiful spaces that spark innovation, promote wellness, and encourage global connections. Milliken strives to discover new ways to enhance lives and make the world around us more sustainable and more beautiful. Sustainability is at the core of Milliken’s philosophy and they set ‘planet, people and product’ goals that protect and improve our world.

Alison Kitchingman, Director of Marketing & Design at Milliken shared:

“We are very proud to be able to support Surge for Water by sponsoring their annual event ‘Design, Dine, Make a Difference.’ The work Surge for Water does is critically important: investing in communities to help provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to help end the cycle of poverty. The ethos of Surge aligns with Milliken’s commitment to “do good” and leave an impact on the design world but never negatively impact the world around us. From November 2021 Milliken is offering all of its floor coverings with Carbon Neutral certification as standard.”

SURFACE ELEVEN’s mission is to enable interior designers and architects in the UAE and GCC to create dream spaces with absolute freedom. The company based in Dubai serves as an access point to the world’s finest materials in commercial design projects all over the Middle East.

One of the company’s core values is to give back to communities that are far away. For SURFACE ELEVEN, partnering with Surge has been a key activity in terms of contributing to awareness about safe water and equitable access to this precious resource. They believe that this is the one time where competition is put aside and the focus is collaborating for a truly better world for future generations.

Amal Barreto, CEO & Founder shared,

“Surface Eleven’s core values include not only serving our immediate community through sustainable design, but also giving back to the world in ways that impact the less privileged who are far away. The alignment of both our organizations’ beliefs led to a natural progression towards working together for a better world through water sustainability. When families are provided an equal field of opportunity today, the future remains bright for all.”

Surge is thrilled to have the support of these Headline Sponsors in providing access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Thank you Acoulite, Milliken, and SURFACE ELEVEN for supporting both this year’s gala and Surge’s mission! Together, we’re creating a better world!