HD Boutique Makes Waves in South Beach Bringing Together Influential Leaders & New Talent in Hospitality Design

ATLANTA, Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference (HD Boutique), held September 17-18, 2008, attracted more than 4,900 hospitality professionals, a three percent increase over last year. In the edgy, hospitality-rich South Beach area, HD Boutique attendees filled the Miami Beach Convention Center to discover the latest products and trends in hospitality design.

Executive Vice President of Wynn Design and Development Roger Thomas opened HD Boutique with a powerful Keynote Conversation, discussing his singular perspective on design. Attendees focused on additional buzz-worthy topics such as eco-friendly, guilt-free luxury (presented by a team from Rockwell Group); the new age of boutique hotels (showcased by SBE design guru Theresa Fatino); and branding hospitality design (presented by noted designer Cheryl Rowley).

Led by executives representing some of the most respected and powerful organizations in the hospitality industry, the majority of HD Boutique attendees included top interior design firms, hotel owners, architects, restaurateurs and purchasers.

"HD Boutique is an extraordinary opportunity for buyers and sellers to come together, particularly those who are looking for exposure in the ever-growing Latin markets in a location that is known for its vibrant energy and spirit," said Michelle Finn, vice president of the Hospitality Design Group. "Due to the smaller scale of HD Boutique compared to HD Expo, attendees can conveniently interact and rub shoulders with some of the most dynamic faces in the industry, which was witnessed time and time again in South Beach," she added.

Many exhibitors expressed the importance of attending HD Boutique which not only provided an incredible opportunity for networking but to also showcase a new product to a targeted audience. "This show was the perfect opportunity to launch the new Mandalas Collection by designer Tracy Lee Stum where we were able to feature her products here before even being available on the sales field," said Dianna Mennemeyer, director of marketing of Georgia-based Durkan, a leading floor-covering manufacturer.

Exhibitors also noted the high caliber of talent that attended HD Boutique. According to David Messersmith, vice president of sales and marketing at North Carolina-based Upper South Studio, "Some of the most influential members of the design industry are walking and mingling with exhibitors here at HD Boutique, such as designer Stan Topol as one example. I feel that people are actually here to share and discuss about real global projects that they're working on and are actively looking for products on the show floor."

Highlights from HD Boutique included:

• WAVE OF THE FUTURE: The spotlight turned to some of the hottest new design professionals who were feted during Wave of the Future festivities. Eight young visionaries shared their projects and insight in an interactive discussion moderated by Hospitality Design magazine senior managing editor Stacy Shoemaker Rauen. This year's Wave of the Future honorees included: Matt Abramcyk of Smith and Mills/Beatrice Inn/Employees Only; Steve Brabson and Frank Medrano of Franklin Studios, Inc.; Alex Calderwood of Ace Hotel Group; Denise Corso of CorsoStaicoff; Stephanie Goto of Stephanie Goto; Leonard Lee of Wilson Associates; and Sean Tanner of Cagley & Tanner.
  
  
• RADICAL INNOVATION: Also revealing the latest conceptual designs exclusively at HD Boutique, the Radical Innovation in Hospitality Award, co-sponsored by the John Hardy Group and Hospitality Design magazine, unveiled the winners of the global contest that challenges designers to create a vision of the future of hospitality design. The grand prize recipient (voted real-time at HD Boutique) was Morris Architects, awarded $10,000 for the radical concept of developing the Gulf of Mexico Oil Rig Platform Resort Spa & Aquatic Adventure project; and the runner-up award went to WATG who received a $2,000 prize for e | merse, an inclusive social network concept designed specifically for travelers.

Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference (HD Boutique) is presented by the Hospitality Design Group, part of Nielsen Business Media, which also produces Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) in Las Vegas from May 14-16, 2009 (hdexpo.com). Hospitality Design magazine presents Hospitality Design Green Day (HD Green Day) May 13, 2009, in Las Vegas, and Hospitality Design Summit (HD Summit) in Duck Key, FL from March 4-6, 2009. HD Boutique is produced in association with association partners including: International Interior Design Association (IIDA); International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ); American Institute of Architects (AIA); American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and NEWH, Inc. -- The Hospitality Industry Network.

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.

The Building Design Group, part of Nielsen Business Media, includes leading publications, events and digital offerings in the residential and commercial property design industry including DDI, GlobalShop, Commercial Property News, Contract, Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Expo and Hospitality Design Boutique, Kitchen & Bath Business, Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, Multi-Housing News and Multi-Housing World. The group also produces publications and events in the decorated apparel and home healthcare industries including Impressions, The Imprinted Sportswear Shows and Medtrade. Additionally, three Marine Military Expositions are produced that are focused on the US Marine Corps. Nielsen Business Media is a division of The Nielsen Company.