HD Expo connects high quality products with buyers

-- Casual Living, 5/18/2009 12:23:00 PM

Contract buyers and designers were not disappointed by the array of new choices at last week’s Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas. Although lesser attendance numbers followed the lean pattern of recent trade shows, buyers were described as serious by a number of vendors.

“The people who are at this show are quality,” said Ron Katz, national sales and marketing director of Pavilion Furniture/Sunburst Outdoor Furniture. “They have projects, and they have money to buy.”

Tropitone booth

Tropitone CEO Cap Hendrix shared that positive view despite this year’s ongoing backdrop of challenging economic conditions. The outdoor furniture manufacturer has focused on its core strengths, including research and product development. “On the hospitality side, our business has remained pretty robust,” he said. 

At the Gloster Furniture booth, executives were celebrating being named the outdoor seating winner of an IIDA/HD award. It marked the first time the company had won an award at this show, according to President Eric Parsons and Managing Director Charles Vernon, and it underscored the direction of its policy decision focusing on product development more than ever. The modular deep seating woven Horizon group, designed by John Caldwell, was gaining attention for its ability to be configured in a variety of ways.

Hawaii Thai weavers at Veneman

Inside the Veneman Furniture booth, weavers from Hawaii Thai were demonstrating how hand-woven pieces are assembled.

Hand-crafted outdoor lighting from Shady Lady’s Oasis line was attracting attention to the booth it shared with Viro fiber. “Our focus has always been on providing high quality as well as high design,” said Johan Yang, vice president of sales and marketing for Viro fiber.