HD Expo 2019 kicked off on Wednesday, May 15th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Opening day included a series of awards programs as well as engaging keynotes and panels that highlighted numerous corners of the hospitality industry.
Urban Robot Associates was named the winner of the second annual Box challenge, which tasks design firms with drafting superlative hotel guestroom designs. This year’s judging panel included Bobby Berk, founder of Bobby Berk Home, Bobby Berk Interiors + Design, and co-star on Netflix’s Queer Eye; Daniel Wade, chief operating officer of Plaza LV; and Larry Traxler, senior vice president of global design for Hilton.
Lauren Rottet also participated in a conversation at the HD Social Hub, which was also designed by her design practice Rottet Studio, featuring soft, neutral tones and layers of various textures and patterns. The Houston-based designer also signed copies of her new book, Authentic Design: Lauren Rottet and Rottet Studio.
Judges Andrew Alford, Graduate Hotels; Barrie Borovsky and Nicole Fournier, MGM Resorts; and Siobhan Barry, Gensler; also selected the Best Booth Winners for this year’s show, with Old Hickory taking home the top prize for Best of Show. Booths from Phillip Jeffries, Viso Lighting, and Valley Forge were also among the winners across 12 categories.
HD vice president and Hospitality Design editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen also moderated the Wellness Today keynote, which included insights from Clodagh, founder of Clodagh Design; Neil Jacobs, Six Senses CEO; Thomas Klein, president and COO of Canyon Ranch; and Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos. The panel discussed the sentiment of wellness as a feeling to be expressed beyond borders.
