WHITE PLAINS, NY, | The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) has named finalists for the coveted Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, an honor presented annually to designers of the most innovative and captivating hospitality properties completed or renovated within the past 18 months. Finalists were selected from a record-breaking field of 209 projects in 21 countries and territories, and were judged by a panel of notable industry experts. Finalists, winners and "Designer of the Year" Roger Thomas will be honored at the Gold Key Awards Breakfast Ceremony on Monday, November 10, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am, at New York City's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The ceremony coincides with the 93rd annual IH/M&RS, taking place November 8-11, 2008, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The 2008 Gold Key Awards finalists are:

Best Hotel Design

• Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates (New York, NY) for The Liberty Hotel (Boston, MA)
• DiLeonardo International, Inc. (Warwick, RI) for The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa (Dohar, Qatar)
• GRAFT (Los Angeles, CA) for The Emperor (Beijing, China)
• The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for The Belvedere Hotel (Mykonos, Greece)

Guest Room

• GRAFT (Los Angeles, CA) for The Emperor (Beijing, China)
• The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for The Belvedere Hotel (Mykonos, Greece)
• Wilson Associates (Dallas, TX) for Westin Hotel Guangzhou (Guangzhou, China)

Lobby/Reception

• Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates (New York, NY) for The Liberty Hotel (Boston, MA)
• Jordan Mozer & Associates, Ltd. (Chicago, IL) for Renaissance Hotel (New York, NY)
• TVS Interiors (Atlanta, GA) for Hyatt Regency O'Hare (Rosemont, IL)

Lounge/Bar

• Dreamtime Australia Design (Rushcutters Bay, Australia) for The Argyle Bar (Sydney, Australia)
• Esyn Design (Chicago, IL) for Underground: Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• SBE (Los Angeles, CA) for Sbar (Los Angeles, CA)

Restaurants - Causal Dining

• CCS Architecture (San Francisco, CA) for Townline BBQ (Sagaponack, NY)
• Clodagh Design (New York, NY) for Landmarc, Time Warner Building (New York, NY)
• The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for Dos Caminos (Las Vegas, NV)
• The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for Wildwood BBQ (New York, NY)

Restaurants - Fine Dining

• AvroKO (New York, NY) for Park Avenue (New York, NY)
• Dirk Denison Architects (Chicago, IL) for L2O (Chicago, IL)
• Ministry of Design (Singapore) for Royal China (Singapore)
• SUPERPOTATO (Tokyo, Japan) for BOURBON STEAK at MGM Grand Detroit (Detroit, MI)

Spa

• CMMI (Atlanta, GA) for Guerlain Spa at The Regent Bal Harbour (Bal Harbour, FL)
• DiLeonardo International, Inc. (Warwick, RI) for The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa (Doha, Qatar)
• Dodd Mitchell Design (Los Angeles, CA) for Paz Spa - Cabo Azul Resort and Spa (Los Cabos, Mexico)

Suite

• Powerstrip Studio (Los Angeles, CA) for Ivy Hotel San Diego (San Diego, CA)
• The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for The Belvedere Hotel (Mykonos, Greece)
• Wilson Associates (Dallas, TX) for The St. Regis Singapore (Singapore)

"This year's Gold Key competition was among the most competitive in the award's 28-year history," said Lynn White, IH/M&RS show manager. "Our slate of finalists represent the most unique and compelling new properties around the world, and are to be commended for the creative genius that set them apart from a remarkable field of entrants."

Countries and territories represented among the 209 submissions were Australia, Bahamas, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, England, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Maldives, Mexico, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, St. Lucia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Judges for the 2008 Gold Key Awards were Jane Ayers, NBBJ; Robert Henry, Robert D. Henry Architects; Leland Lewis, InterContinental, The Barclay; and Donna Rodriguez, B.R. Guest Restaurants. Finalists were selected based on aesthetic appeal, practicality and functionality of design.

Highlighting the ceremony will be the presentation of the "Designer of the Year" Award by Gold Key Awards sponsors HOTELS and Interior Design magazines. Roger Thomas, executive vice president of design for Wynn Design and Development, has been selected for his role as a leader and innovator in hospitality design, as well as his philanthropic contributions to the industry.

In addition, NEWH, Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network, will present its third Icon of Industry Award to Roger Milliken, chairman of Milliken & Company. Through his leadership and passion for innovation, research and quality, Milliken & Company has become one of the most successful textile and chemical manufacturing companies in the world. A $5,000 scholarship in Roger's name will be awarded to a student focusing on a career in the hospitality industry.

Tickets for the Gold Key Awards Breakfast are $75 each, and available online at www.ihmrs.com/goldkey/breakfast.html, or by sending a check, payable to the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, to IH/M&RS Gold Key Awards, Attention Jessica Reiche, GLM®, a dmg world media business, Ten Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954. The purchase of a Gold Key Awards Breakfast ticket includes complimentary admission to the IH/M&RS. For additional information, contact Jessica Reiche, at (914) 421-3290. The Gold Key Awards Breakfast will take place on Monday, November 10, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am, at New York City's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided to the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show following the ceremony.