Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2017 12 • The Social Hub – The Social Hub at HD Expo served as the pulse of the show floor. This year, the Rockwell Group was tasked with designing this floor space. The New York firm, known for its iconic interiors, brought the energy, camaraderie, and color palette of a cool 1980s cafeteria and assembly room with a variety of seating, including custom bleachers designed to encourage conversations and socializing. • IIDA Awards – The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), in partnership with Hospitality Design magazine, selected its 2017 award recipients. The competition honors innovation, function, and aesthetic advancements in product design for the hospitality industry. Belle by Fire Farm Lighting received the Eric Engstrom Best of Competition award. The 2017 jury included Chris Evans, senior associate, Rottet Studio; Kelie Mayfield, IIDA principal, Mayfield and Ragni Studio; and Patricia Rotondo, IIDA senior principal/director of interior design, Antunovich Associates. In addition to the plethora of show floor programming and conference sessions, other show highlights included the NEWH Annual Expo Breakfast, Best Booth Awards, and two evening networking events. "This year's programming brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry to share their game-changing experiential designs and concepts, and to tackle top-of-mind issues," said Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, editor-in-chief and associate publisher, Hospitality Design magazine. "From dining trends to new innovative hotel brands, we tried to raise the bar in terms of engaging and providing thought-provoking programming with veterans and rising stars alike to share their unique perspectives. We are looking forward to continuing to bring together some of the most compelling programming for the industry next year." HD Expo attracts the world's most talented and sought-after network of interior designers, architects, hoteliers, owners, operators, developers, and purchasers: true leaders, creative risk-takers, and innovators who make an impact in the industry. Thousands of show attendees will come face-to-face with the most captivating products and resources to consider for their global hospitality projects, stay on top of industry news and trends through daily thought-provoking conference programming, and, at a series of networking events, have access to rub shoulders with some of the most prominent players in the industry. HD Expo is produced in association with American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Design Association (IIDA), International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), and NEWH, Inc.—The Hospitality Industry Network. The 2018 event will take place May 2–4, 2018, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Please visit www.hdexpo.com for more information. RO A SUCCESSFUL HD EXPO 2017

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