HD Expo 2021 kicked off on Tuesday, August 24th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Opening day included a series of awards programs as well as engaging conversations and panels that highlighted numerous corners of the hospitality industry. A range of exhibitors and activation spaces like HD Park (designed by Williams-Sonoma Business to Business) and DesignWell (designed by BHDM) welcomed hundreds of industry leaders to explore, learn, and innovate.
The Hospitality Diversity Action Council (HDAC) also inaugurated its maiden booth on the show floor, which hosted a series of discussions focused on diversity, accessibility, and accountability—including Designing for Community in Hospitality and LGBTQ: Creating an Environment of Inclusion. Determined by Design president Kia Weatherspoon also led Mindful Travel: Exploring a Paradigm Shift, where she explored the growing popularity of holistic wellness alongside panelists Damon Lawrence, Homage Hospitality; JamieRose Briones, Luxury Frontiers; Robin Staten; Tiny Urban Escapes; and Todd Stevens, Cuningham.
Featured conversations with tennis champion and V Starr founder Venus Williams and 21c founder Steve Wilson also took place on the show floor, offering dynamic perspectives on the balance of form, function, and the future of hospitality.
Judges Raymond Neal, Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Paris Swann, Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Nicole Dalton Williams, JCJ Architecture, also selected the Best Booth Winners for this year’s show, with Bernhardt Hospitality taking home the top prize for Best of Show. Booths from Lacquercraft Hospitality, CB2 + Crate & Barrel, and Society6 were also among the winners across nearly a dozen categories.
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