Policy communications is a thing

What does it actually take to design the same space — over and over — and make it feel completely different every time?Koen and Carla pull back the curtain on what it really means to design for clients at the intersection of policy, media, and live events; from 3D-printed rabbits to smoke machines, to styling 200 Doritos bags with zero time to spare.If you've ever wondered how a space goes from dusty corner building to a Policy Experience Space in the heart of the EU quarter, this one's for you.Good design isn't just what you see. It's the vibe you feel.

One year in, the Bump team sits down inside the Bump Policy Experience Space, our fully flexible policy experience space 85 steps from the European Parliament, to share the unfiltered story behind it.From a demolished shell with no walls, no floors, and no functioning toilet locks... to a space that's hosted luxury hotel lobbies, drag shows, and C-suite bilateral meetings, all in the same building.Join Arnie, Martin, and Habib as they reflect on:-Building out a venue in 10 weeks from scratch-What "blank canvas" really means in policy experiences-Why designing for human interaction beats flashy tech every time-The Booking.com activation that set the barRaw. Real. Occasionally chaotic.Join us as we kick off season 2 of Bump's video podcast "Policy communications is a thing."

In this episode of “Policy Communications is a Thing” (PCIAT), Bump’s podcast, Rowan Emslie, CCO at the Centre for Future Generations, joined us to unpack the idea of the “Gramsci Gap,” the space where the old world is dying, the new one is struggling to be born, and uncertainty is the only constant.We dig into what that means for policy communicators: how to operate when the rules keep changing, why overreacting to the news cycle is a trap, and how organisations can stay grounded by focusing on values, not just files.Rowan also shares practical tips for navigating this chaotic moment — from reassessing your coalitions and finding “unusual allies,” to scrubbing your editorial calendar and mapping the moveable middle.Listen and watch below for insights on why not reacting is sometimes the boldest move, how to build coalitions in uncertain times, and why Brussels needs more big-picture thinking (and fewer panicked headlines).

Join Bump’s Ali Colwell and moderator extraordinaire Anna Gumbau Martínez as they discuss all things events in Brussels — smart pre-event preparation, Anna’s POV as a moderator, keeping audiences engaged with non-standard session formats and much more.Recorded before a live audience of policy communicators at the Bump Policy Experience Space on Place Lux.

Habib Msallem talks to Augusta Ramaccioni, Director of Programmes at The Parliament, about the EU media business and how one of Brussels' longest standing media outlets is evolving to meet the needs of a increasingly crowded market.Recorded before a live audience of policy communicators at the Bump Policy Experience Space on Place Lux.

Habib Msallem sits down with seasoned EU journalist Eleonora Vasques to discuss a career that has taken her from migrant rescue boats on the Mediterranean, to conflict zones in the Middle East and the highest corridors of power in Brussels. As well as plenty of stories from the field, Eleonora shares her views on Brussels' rapidly evolving EU media landscape and how policy communicators should engage with journalists.Filmed before a live audience of policy communicators at the Bump Policy Experience Space on Place Lux.

Habib Msallem sits down with rising policy communications star Alexia J. Cosmello Guisande to talk about her journey to EU Brussels, how she overcame imposter syndrome, and the must-have skills for young policy comms pros.Filmed before a live audience of policy communicators at the Bump Policy Experience Space on Place Lux.

Brett Kobie sits down with fellow Creative Director Meisoon Nasralla to talk about policy communications, what even is creativity (and who are these creative directors), and how their mums/moms are their biggest fans on LinkedIn.Filmed with 7 cameras before a live audience of policy communicators at the Bump Policy Experience Space on Place Lux.

Mawi Peeters is never not sketching. Ali Colwell and Habib Msallem "don't draw." Which is the true path to workshopping new ideas in policy comms? Are there unicorns our there who can really do it all?

Ali Colwell, Habib Msallem and Brett Kobie talk about the less often advertised skills a policy communicator might find worth building. There's also a whole thing on accents and sandwiches.