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HD expo 2008 attracts industry heavyweights with innovative products, awards and ground-breaking panels

Jun 09, 08 | 1:58 am

With nearly 20,000 industry professionals, including attendees and exhibitors spanning over 350,000 square feet, Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) which took place in Las Vegas from May 14 to May 17, 2008 brought together the most exciting new products and influential trendsetters in the industry. An influx of green products and an expanded New Exhibitor Showcase joined forces with informative conference sessions on all aspects of hospitality design to ensure a successful series of days that included networking, product scouting and education.

Differentiating itself with influential purchasers and noteworthy designers in attendance, HD Expo found exhibitors pleased with positive response to new products. First time exhibitor, Jonny Seccombe, CEO of London-based Flowban Ltd., a company introducing technology to prevent tubs from overflowing, says he attained "very good quality leads" and "achieved the objectives I've set for here." Longtime exhibitors also continued to find new connections including Troy Wesnidge of TJ Wesnidge who says "HD Expo has always been a very good show and we've been coming for many years as we work with the best clients and get to meet them once a year. We put names together with faces and meet new people." Another longtime exhibitor and Product Design Award winner Janice Feldman, CEO and president of Janus et Cie stated that at HD Expo "attendees are prepared to buy and are not just looking," adding that the show is "a lot of fun and one of the best."

Major highlights from 2008 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference included:

• PLATINUM CIRCLE: On Thursday, May 15, Hospitality Design magazine honored individuals who have shown exceptional achievement throughout their careers at a prestigious black tie affair in the Venetian Ballroom. This year's honorees included Turner Duncan and Kimberly Miller of Duncan & Miller Design (Dallas and Shanghai); Chandu Chhada of Chhada Siembieda & Associates, Ltd. (Hong Kong) and Tom LaTour of LaTour Signature Group (San Francisco). Mark Norcross, president and founder of Mark David was also honored with the Manfred Steinfeld Humanitarian Award. With numerous Platinum Circle inductees present at the event, these new honorees received applause and recognition from fellow members. NEWH also awarded Manny Steinfeld the "Icon of Industry award" and presented scholarships to college students studying design and architecture.

• IIDA/HD PRODUCT AWARDS: After scouting across the Expo floor for the top designs at this year's HD Expo, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Hospitality Design Group presented awards in the following categories to the specific designs by exhibitors: Flooring, Carpet & Carpet Systems - Floor Architecture by Shaw Hospitality Group; Hard Surface Flooring - Building Blox by Crossville, Inc.; Individual Dining Seating - Forest Chair by Janus et Cie; Individual Lounge Seating - Zofa XXL Lounge Chair by Janus et Cie; Individual Outdoor Seating - Spa Recliner & Ottoman by Janus et Cie; Group/Series Lounge Seating - LO & LA by Kron USA; Group/Series Outdoor Seating - Phoenix Dining Armchair by Janus et Cie; Individual Lamps - Glo Back-lit Mirror by Electric Mirror; Groups, Series, Systems & Collections - Slim by Vibia; Artwork/Signage/Accent Pieces - Moving Digital Painting by Dan Hermes Fine Art; Hardware/Decorative Metals/Plastics - 360 Rotating Electrical Outlet by 360 Electrical; and Storage Systems - the Sanctuary by Bluelounge Design, LLC.

• GREEN DAY: In its inaugural year, Hospitality Design's Green Day, co-located with HD Expo, kicked off on May 14, 2008 with seminars on "Why Go Green?" and "Achieving the New Look of Green." The day followed with a lively Green Luncheon at which green lifestyle expert Danny Seo spoke, sharing tips for everyday green living, how to reach eco-minded consumers and hotel specific ideas. HD and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) presented the Earth-Minded Awards (EMA) to Bella-Dura Fabrics and the Keating in San Diego, California. A much anticipated event, a pivotal session of the day included an interactive panel with representative Marc Heisterkamp from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) titled, "Talk is Cheap: Defining Standards for Hospitality." The influential group of design directors, purchasers and c-level hoteliers gathered around tables tied to specific aspects of hospitality design to discuss the current LEED standards and eco challenges. These conversations continued into the GreenSCENE networking and cocktail hour that closed out the day's conference.

"Each year, HD Expo grows with new conferences, exciting speakers and product launches," says Michelle Finn,Vice President, Hospitality Design Group. "HD Expo 2008 was the most informative yet with up-to-the-minute conference panels, including the inaugural Green Day and more innovative, elegant and eco-conscious products across the show floor. We're proud to continue to bring together the influential buyers, key manufacturers and designers for the 16th year in a row," she adds.


About Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference

Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) is presented by the Hospitality Design Group, part of Nielsen Business Media, which also produces Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference (HD Boutique) in Miami Beach from September 17-18, 2008 (hdboutique.com). Hospitality Design magazine presents Hospitality Design Green Day (HD Green Day) and Hospitality Design Summit (HD Summit) in Duck Key, FL from March 4-6, 2009. HD Expo is in association with: International Interior Design Association (IIDA); International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ); American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and NEWH, Inc. - The Hospitality Industry Network.


About Nielsen Business Media

Nielsen Business Media, a division of The Nielsen Company, is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions, helping businesses go to market more effectively and efficiently. Serving seven major market groups, and 30 individual markets, spanning the entertainment, media and marketing, retail, travel and performance, design, and life sciences industries, Nielsen Business Media provides business-to-business products and services in print, online and in person. With 42 publications, more than 60 trade shows and 185 digital products and services, Nielsen Business Media offers insight, analysis and face-to-face contacts to help professionals better understand their markets, serve their customers and grow their businesses.