Boutique Design New York (BDNY), a trade fair and conference for the boutique hospitality and lifestyle industry, gathered nearly 15,000 designers, architects, brand executives, hoteliers, developers, purchasers, manufacturers and other professionals at the Javits Center on Nov. 12-13 to experience new products, engaging conversations and strategic networking events.
BDNY maintained the momentum from 2022, solidifying the growth and impact of the boutique and lifestyle design industry. In comparison to 2022, that equated to a 16% increase in overall attendance, a 15% increase in qualified buyers and a 20% increase in exhibitors. More than 650 exhibiting companies participated in 2023 including an increase from Spain and Italy plus new pavilions from Portugal and Ukraine.
Thousands of industry professionals explored new products from more than 650 exhibitors and learned about the latest trends and issues in hospitality from sessions covering women leaders in hospitality, biophilia in design, F&B trends, new definitions of luxury, nurturing diversity and the impact of AI on design.
Sustainability continued to have a presence across both exhibitor spaces and programming this year. As one of the four highlighted Designed Spaces, 1 Hotels created the Designed by Nature experience using sustainably sourced materials. Lighting also took centerstage in two Designed Spaces. Imaginative Travel by Andaz, a collaboration between Hyatt and Host Hotels, designed by Otherworld Creative and Within Light Studio, delivered a luxe bar-at-sunset concept. A sunset-like effect not just overhead but emanating from the ambiance of lighting and custom furnishings throughout the space, balanced ethereal lighting and earthy textures and captured the very essence of a beachside escape. Rockwell Group used theatrical inspiration and subtly placed lighting to highlight iridescent fabric panels in darker, jewel tones and create a luxurious supper club vibe in the ChromaClub. Lastly, KTGY + Simeone Deary Design Group was inspired by the Year of the Rabbit to create Down the Rabbit Hole, the part bunny hutch, part secret garden, with a hint of a mad tea party, to evoke conversation and build community and camaraderie—focusing on the simple joy of coming together. In addition to presenting impressive designs, these spaces featured pop-up talks and food and drink throughout the two days.
BDNY Meet, a platform for targeted connections between exhibitors and attendees, continued to serve as an important matchmaking tool both prior to and on-site at the trade fair. More than 3,700 attendees and exhibitors engaged with BDNY Meet by visiting matched profiles and sending meeting requests, an increase of 17% over 2022.
Spanning 14 categories for hospitality interiors, the Best of BDNY 2023 Product Design Competition and 3 categories for BDNY Best Exhibit Competition winners were announced on Nov. 12. Chosen by two panels of industry experts, product winners and finalists were chosen for their aesthetic progress, functionality, and innovation; while best exhibit honorees earned nods for creativity in design, visual impact, effective and efficient use of materials, and outstanding use of space, color, texture, lighting and graphics in their display.
This year’s Best Exhibit Competition winners were Samuel & Sons Passementerie (Small), JACLO Industries (Medium), and Mittman Hospitality (Large). Mittman Hospitality also won the Best in Show award. Best of BDNY Product Design Competition winners included ICON, WOW Design (Architectural Materials), The Park, Light Annex (Art & Accessories), NU, Roca Bathroom Products (Bath/Spa), Bellina, Cortina Leathers (Fabric), Outlander Collection, Daltile (Flooring), Hug Armchair, Parla (Furniture), Touchless Hand Sanitizer, Vaask (Health & Wellness), PushUp Pro Cordless Lamp, Zafferano America (Lighting), Elegante Veneers, Havwoods (Other), Obi, EXPORMIM (Outdoor), Bau, InSpec (Seating), Double, Elli S.R.L. (Sustainable), and Between Rivers, Arte (Wallcoverings) and Universe Drapery Sheers, Fabric Innovations (Window Treatments).
Closing out the week of events, BDNY hosted the sold-out Gold Key Awards celebration on Nov. 13 at Cipriani 42nd St., where 550 guests–the largest attendance for this event–celebrated winners in 22 project categories, as well as the Judges’ So Cool award winner and the Design Firm of the Year.
Photography: PWP Studio
