After closely monitoring the risk and impact of COVID-19 on a daily basis, speaking at length with members of the New York community and host property, and with the health and safety of our industry top of mind, Hospitality Design magazine has made the difficult decision to cancel the 16th annual HD Awards ceremony. Initially scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th at Cipriani Broadway in New York, the celebration will now take place virtually on Thursday, October 22nd at 11 a.m. EST.
Recent developments in the state of New York have made it impossible to effectively execute an HD Awards ceremony that delivers the level of connection and experience HD is accustomed to producing while ensuring the comfort and safety of all attendees. This is due to the ongoing progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the latest government data, measures, and guidelines on the phased reopening plans in New York state and Manhattan; the number of confirmed cases worldwide and domestically; current quarantines, containment areas, stay-at-home orders, and restrictions on congregating and large gatherings imposed by states and other government and public health authorities; and the various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies. Maintaining the health and safety of each of our guests, partners, and team members remains paramount to us.
“As the industry continues to navigate a new reality amid COVID-19, this year above all others, the HD Awards provides an opportunity to honor, celebrate, and recognize the amazing work by the people who continue to push the industry forward—designers, architects, owners, developers, operators, and manufacturers,” said Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, editor in chief of Hospitality Design magazine and senior vice president of design at Emerald, the brand’s parent company. “We are disappointed that we can’t come together in person, but we are excited to create a dynamic, interactive virtual program with the honorees and judges that showcases some of the year’s best.”
Project and product winners across nearly 40 categories and from almost 1,000 entries will be announced during the virtual awards ceremony, including Best in Show and the HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition winner. Proper Hospitality and Joyce Wang—HD’s 2020 Hotelier of the Year and Designer of the Year, respectively—will also be recognized.
Register now for the virtual event
Join the conversation on Instagram by tagging @hospitalitydesign and #hdawards2020, and read about all the honorees in the October issue of Hospitality Design magazine.
Thank you to our sponsors: Williams-Sonoma, Coastal Shower Doors, Mandy Li, Dometic, Delta, Viso, and DuPont.
