HD Asia trade show highlights growing Asian Pacific hospitality design market

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 7/17/2012 9:23:14 AM

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Hospitality Design Group recently held its inaugural conference for the Asian Pacific market, drawing international designers, owners and operators together for two days of creation and collaboration in Hong Kong.
HD Asia took place June 18-20 at the five-star Hyatt Hong Kong, aiming to define trends and bring together like-minded individuals in the international design sector. The event provided access to products, services and industry insight, helping develop business in the hotel, resort, casino, restaurant and purchasing fields.
The show is presented by Hospitality Design magazine and produced by the Hospitality Design Group, part of Nielsen Expositions, which will also organizes the HD Boutique in Miami from Sept. 11-12, 2012, as well as the Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from May 15-17, 2013.
"It was awe-inspiring to see such notable figures be open and candid about their insight into this powerhouse market of Asia," said Liz Sommerville, show director. "As the design market in this region continues to grow, the Hospitality Design Group looks forward to continuing the conversation and acknowledging the trends and leaders who are putting Asia on the design map."
The conference featured two leaders who have a pulse on the market: Tony Chi of TonyChi and Associates, New York, and Andre Fu, founder of AFSO Designs, Hong Kong. Chi provided knowledge and a glimpse into the future of restaurant design in Asia while Fu delivered the keynote address. Both men relayed to attendees the importance and forward-thinking nature found in modern-day Asian hospitality design.
HD Asia was supported by a group of sponsors that provided product exhibits, highlighting new and innovative products appealing to the Asian market. Industry-leading American companies, such as Kohler, Fabricut Contract, Symmons Industries and Neoteric Luxury, benefitted from the participation overseas.
"The world has changed, and clearly Asia has become the leading hospitality development market in the world," said Andrew Windsor, director of sales for corporate accounts at Kohler. "By launching HD Asia, Nielsen has taken the lead in providing a venue to promote our brand to key Asian designers and developers. We look forward in participating in future HD Asia shows and believe it is an important part of our global strategy."
Date and location for the HD Asia 2013 conference will be announced within the next few months.
The event is in association with International Interior Design Association (IIDA), International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and NEWH, Inc.-The Hospitality Industry Network.