From the thrill of fast-paced timelines to the joy of inventing custom pieces and discovering a deeply connected community, four emerging designers, who are part of the 2025 New Design Professionals class, share what caught them off guard—and captured their hearts—in the world of hospitality design.
“I knew I always wanted to work in hospitality, but I never knew the feeling I would take away from working on these spaces, seeing the end result, and going to industry events. It’s a feeling of pure inspiration, euphoria, and purpose. —Sara Armeanu, Aria Group Architects
“I was surprised to find how much control we have when it comes to customization. To be able to sketch something like a chandelier and watch it be built and installed in a project is unbelievable. We get to play inventor.” —Curran Conklin, AvroKO
“I knew the hospitality industry was relatively small, but I didn’t realize just how tight-knit it truly is. It’s reassuring and motivating to see how connected everyone is within the community. The sense of camaraderie and support is noteworthy—whether it’s through sharing knowledge, offering guidance, or celebrating each other’s successes.” —Marlee Frances Young, BLUR Workshop
“I was surprised by how fast paced the industry is. These projects are often large scale, but they have demanding timelines. It is a surprising but exciting to be involved in them.” —Kalie Sigman, HBA
The 2025 New Design Professionals class is made up of 34 individuals with three to five years of industry experience, who were nominated by exhibitors to attend HD Expo + Conference for the first time in May.
