Boutique Design has announced the judges for the 46th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, bringing together a distinguished group of industry leaders to evaluate this year’s submissions.
Recognized as one of the hospitality design industry’s most prestigious honors, the Gold Key Awards celebrate exceptional projects from around the globe across 24 categories, spanning hotels, restaurants, wellness destinations, cruise ships, and more.
The 2026 judging panel:
Dala Al-Fuwaires, founder and CEO, House of Form
Paul Haslhofer, VP creative director, EDITION Hotels / Marriott
Phil Hospod, founder and CEO, Dovetail + Co
Greg Keffer, founder and creative director, Keffer Studios
Andrés Lamos, director, Ensemble
Cynthia Peller Hum, design manager, Crescent Heights
Kelly Sawdon, cofounder, Mothership Hotels
Elizabeth Rose Schneider, brand consultant
Together, the group will select this year’s finalists and winners, as well as the recipients of the Mic Drop Moment award (formerly Judges’ So Cool) and Designer of the Year honor.
The Gold Key Awards gala will take place on Monday, November 9th at New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street in conjunction with BDNY, where winners will be recognized alongside the 2026 Ones to Watch class (previously known as the Boutique 18) and BD’s Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the Year.
Entries for the 2026 competition are open through July 31. Purchase tickets to the event today.