WHITE PLAINS, NY | Hospitality designers from around the world seeking the latest design-driven products and trend-focused seminars will convene at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS), November 8-11, 2008, where Destination Designtm will offer new products, resources, education and networking for this constantly evolving sector of the industry. Taking place at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this highlight of the 93rd annual IH/M&RS represents the premier opportunity for hospitality designers to source products, gain insight and network alongside industry leaders.

"Destination Design continues to gain importance as owners and operators strive to be unique and differentiate themselves from the competition," said Lynn White, show manager. "This serves as an opportunity for designers to learn from emerging designers with fresh ideas, as well as veterans with great insight."

Destination Designtm will feature seminars, networking opportunities and new products within the Show's acclaimed Luxury Product Collection - a juried section of high-end products including artwork, bathroom fixtures, bedding, drapery, decorative accessories, floor and wall coverings, furniture, lighting and more.

Destination Design seminars and events include:

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Keynote: CEO Leadership Panel
9:00 - 10:30am
Each year, more and more changes occur in the travel industry. It is a business imperative to keep current and to know what those industry changes entail. Leaders will conduct a candid discussion on the issues facing the travel industry today, while giving perspective on the future path of the industry. Featuring Roger P. Thomas, executive vice president design, Wynn Design and Development, and 2008 Gold Key Award Designer of the Year.

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Efficiency in Design
3:45 - 4:45pm
Presented by Lodging Hospitality magazine, this seminar will address how hotels can continue to provide customers with what they need - and want - without passing on increasing costs to the guest. Innovative design doesn't have to be extravagant and exorbitant. Efficiency in design can come from better use of space, energy conservation and forgetting the old stand-by that bigger is always better.

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Here's Looking at Boutique's Future, Kid: A New Crop of Interior Design Stars Speak
1:00 - 2:30pm
Boutique Design will present its new crop of hand-picked design stars, straight from its annual Boutique 18 feature. Come hear the best of America's young interior design talent give us an insider's view on what's next in the world of hospitality design and how it affects you. Five panelists will speak about the current state of the industry and how they're going to change it in 2009 and beyond.

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Design on a Dime: Hotel Style
3:00 - 4:30pm
With owners and operators feeling the effects of the economic downturn, designers are being asked to do more with less. Whether it's a renovation or new construction project, the key is to help differentiate a property from a design standpoint but not break the bank in doing it. This session looks at some of the ways designers can cut costs without sacrificing the look of it. Presented by Hotel Business magazine.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design
7:30 - 9:30am, Mandarin Oriental New York, 80 Columbus Circle @ 60th Street
Grand prize winners will be announced and finalists will be recognized for outstanding achievement in hospitality design. In addition, Roger Thomas will be recognized as Designer of the Year by Gold Key Awards sponsors HOTELS and Interior Design magazines, and Roger Milliken will be honored as the Icon of Industry by NEWH, Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Global FF&E Sourcing: What Everyone Should Know
3:00 - 4:00pm
Will offshore production of FF&E really be that much cheaper in the near future, considering rising costs in China, rising fuel prices and rising container costs? This seminar will address this issue, while taking a look at the carbon footprint of overseas production. What are American production options and what markets are emerging that could take China's place? What new obstacles and risks do purchasers and designers face? Presented by Hospitality Design magazine.

The 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show will run Saturday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 8, the IH/M&RS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 9, through Tuesday, November 11. The market presents some 1,250 hospitality industry suppliers and attracts approximately 35,000 in total trade attendance.

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association; and is managed by GLM®, a dmg world media business.

For IH/M&RS exhibitor information, contact Lynn White, show manager, at GLM, Ten Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954. Telephone (914) 421-3249. Fax (914) 948-6197. E-mail: lynn_white@glmshows.com. For attendee information, contact GLM Customer Relations at (914) 421-3206 or (800) 272-SHOW, or by email, at customer_relations@glmshows.com. Additional information and registration is available online, at www.ihmrs.com.