WHITE PLAINS, NY – The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) invites hospitality designers from around the world to submit entries for the 29th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, the premier interior design competition for the industry. The Awards, considered the most coveted honor of the year, are presented in eight categories - Best Hotel Design, Guest Room, Lobby/Reception Area, Lounge/Bar, Restaurants/Casual Dining, Restaurants/Fine Dining, Spa and Suite. The competition entry deadline is July 1, 2009.

Designers of hotels, motels, timeshares, restaurants, clubs, cruise ships, casinos, conference centers, spas and other hospitality facilities are encouraged to enter the competition, which last year considered more than 200 submissions representing 23 countries and territories. Entries must represent new design or renovation projects completed between January 1, 2008, and June 1, 2009. Entry fees are $150 for the first project submitted, and $100 for subsequent projects. Category descriptions, submission instructions and the application are available online, at , or can be obtained by contacting Melissa Gray, IH/M&RS marketing manager, at (914) 421-3263, or by email, at [email protected]. All entries will be judged by a panel of prominent designers representing both the hotel and restaurant industries.

"Each year, the Gold Key Awards serve as a platform for recognizing and honoring hospitality designers from around the world who excel in their field," said Lynn White, show manager. "The properties showcased through these Awards are among the most remarkable destinations in the world, and we look forward to seeing the trend-setting and innovative design concepts revealed in this years submissions."

Finalists and grand prize winners will be honored at the Gold Key Awards Breakfast ceremony, on Monday, November 9, 2009, sponsored by Interior Design and HOTELS magazines. The Breakfast, which serves as a scholarship fundraiser for NEWH, the Hospitality Industry Network, will run from 7:30-9:30 am, at New York City's Mandarin Oriental Hotel, during the 94th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Highlighting the ceremony will be the presentation of the "Designer of the Year" Award by Interior Design and HOTELS. In addition, NEWH, the Hospitality Industry Network, will present its "Icon of the Industry" distinction. Tickets are $75.00 each, and will be available online at www.ihmrs.com/goldkey, beginning September 1, 2009.

The 94th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show will run Saturday, November 7, through Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 7, the IH/M&RS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 10. The market presents more than 1,000 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, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604. Telephone (914) 421-3249. Fax (914) 948-6197. E-mail: [email protected]. For attendee information, contact GLM Customer Relations at (914) 421-3206 or (800) 272-SHOW, or by email, at [email protected]. Additional information and registration is available online, at .

Melissa Gray
+1 (914) 421-3263
GLM® | a dmg world media business