HD Boutique reports successful 2012, rebrands for 2013

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 10/9/2012 10:50:10 AM

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- HD Boutique, a trade show for hospitality designers, architects, owners, operators, developers and specifiers, drew more than 4,000 attendees Sept. 11-12 in Miami Beach, according to a show press release.

This year's event showcased a multitude of new designs - including fabrics and textiles, furniture, accessories, lighting, flooring, artwork, bath fixtures, window treatments and other hospitality-related products - from more than 300 industry producers, artisans and craftsmen.
The attendees included a creative and dynamic mix of designers, architects and hotel and restaurant owners from across the globe who browsed trends and participated in informative and entertaining seminars.

"We were thrilled that this year launched us into the ever-growing Latin American design community, we saw industry leaders, designers and buyers representative of this demographic, and we received great insight as to where trends are heading into the new year," said Liz Sommerville, the show's director.

First-time exhibitor Marylin DeLaHoz, U.S. operations manager for BALTUS Collection said of the show, "HD Boutique was the perfect venue for us to showcase our new contract division designed specifically for large-scale installations like hotels and resorts. We were able to introduce our new product to some of the industry's leaders alongside an impressive roster of exhibitors. HD Boutique is a unique show that provided us a medium to broaden our reach into new markets, and we are thrilled to have participated in this prominent event."

In addition to the latest designs on the show floor, HD Boutique offered attendees informative conference sessions and discussions on the industry's most pertinent topics. This year, HD Boutique hosted acclaimed designer Alexandria Champalimaud, founder of Champalimaud, as the keynote speaker. Champalimaud engaged in a keynote discussion of her life, work and inspiration with Hospitality Design magazine Editor in Chief Michael Adams.

Drawing from the success of the Owners' Roundtable at sister event HD Expo, The Owners' Roundtable: The Americas gave attendees direct access to several high-level executives from top design, hotel, purchasing and development firms. Participants included Helen Jorgensen, VP of design, procurement, development and construction of Host Hotels & Resorts; Jerry Ong, principal general and international hospitality investor for Jupiter Realty Company; and Diogo Canteras, partner of HotelInvest Canteras & Associados; among others.

The two-day event also offered designers, restaurateurs and hoteliers a chance to mingle and network. Party by the Palms at the W South Beach offered industry insiders a chance to meet and relax over hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Hospitality Design magazine's Wave of the Future event inducted honorees including Alan Barr, managing director of Asia at [CHADA]; Ave Bradley, VP of design for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; Andrew Cohen and Jeremy Levitt, principals of Parts and Labor Design; Oliver John Palmer Michell, partner and chief creative officer at UXUS; Tim Mutton and Jo Sampson, founders of Blacksheep; and Foreman Rogers, senior associate at tvsdesign.

Looking ahead to 2013

In 2013, HD Boutique will take on a new name, HD Americas, a strategic change that reflects the trendspotting growth taking place in North America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and beyond. With its prime location in Miami, HD Americas will serve as a hub for designers, owners, architects and other allied professionals to be a part of the ever-growing hospitality design market in these regions.

"Those in the industry looking for thoughtful, innovative products in these regions simply do not have the resources locally," said David Ashen, dash design in Long Island City, N.Y., and part-time resident of Chile. "HD Americas will provide these creative types with the ability to discover new trends and will, more importantly, capitalize on the progressive mentality in the Americas."