Celebrating Ready Zhang
It is with heavy hearts we announce to IFI worldwide the recent passing of Mr. Ready Zhang, Former Resource Council Chairman and IFI Co-Opted Board Member (2014-15). Mr Zhang’s involvement with IFI has been ongoing, including through the IFI Resource Council membership of Guangzhou Design Week, of which he was the founder and co-owner.
As a long-standing member and partner, IFI greatly admired Mr. Zhang and his visionary leadership for design advocacy on the national and international level. IFI aligned with and valued him for his massive work to shape the highest level of design quality and excellence by evolving design substance, both in general and through the promotion of Chinese designers and design knowledge. The design community has lost a dear friend and exemplary leader.
On behalf of the leadership of IFI and the IFI global community, we send our deepest condolences to Mr. Zhang’s family, friends, Guangzhou Design Week (GZDW) and CITIEXPO LIMITED. His energy, passion and wisdom will be missed and never forgotten.
The following is an obituary that we would like to share from Guangzhou Design Week:
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague Mr. Ready Zhang who passed away after a heart attack on October 15th 2017. Mr. Ready Zhang was the Co-Founder/CEO of GUANGZHOU DESIGN WEEK and Director of CITIEXPO LIMITED. He worked tirelessly with energy and wisdom on connecting Chinese design to the world and promoting international exchanges and cooperation. He made an outstanding contribution to the Chinese design industry. Mr. Ready Zhang has been promoting Guangzhou Design Week since 2005. He organized high-level international design cooperation and industry innovation activities as well as a number of classic exhibitions, awards and events.
CITIEXPO will demonstrate our deep respect for Mr. Ready Zhang by continuing to diligently work to realize his vision for the future of Guangzhou Design Week and carry on his legacy.
WE ARE READY.
Guangzhou Design Week
CITIEXPO LIMITED.
October 17th, 2017