This fall, Boutique Design New York (BDNY), a trade fair and conference for hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community, returns to Manhattan’s Javits Center with two days of lively and robust programming and the latest design-focused products. Held Nov. 12-13, the annual gathering invites architects, interior designers, owner/operators, purchasing agents, hoteliers and restaurateurs, developers and brands to view the latest product launches from 650 exhibitors, reach new and powerful decision-makers, be inspired by signature Designed Spaces created by influential hotel brands and designers, and glean wisdom from some of the industry’s most talented and sought-after figures.
“Following the success of last year’s conference and trade fair, we are thrilled to again introduce exceptional content—specifically talks with today’s leaders and up-and-comers and signature Designed Spaces. As the hospitality industry, particularly boutique and lifestyle hospitality, continues to thrive, it is critical that we continue to provide a platform that celebrates the products, projects and personalities that allow our industry to stand out,” says Keisha Byrd, brand leader, BDNY. “Our goal for BDNY is to continue to be a source of inspiration, strategy, networking, and immersive experiences.”
Designed Spaces
A major attraction at BDNY each year is the unveiling of its four signature Designed Spaces. These unique concepts allow attendees to experience the latest in hospitality interiors in the context of sophisticated lounges, cafés and other gathering spaces throughout the exhibit floor. Each space is created by a leading hospitality design team using products from multiple BDNY exhibitors/sponsors with stunning results.
Imaginative Travel by Andaz | #1869
A collaboration between Hyatt and Host Hotels, designed by Otherworld Creative and Within Light Studio.
The challenge from Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Host Hotels & Resorts was clear: Highlight Hyatt’s Andaz brand, specifically its resorts, delivering a luxe bar-at-sunset concept. Yet the cavernous Javits Center demanded sleight of hand to achieve both the surreal and experiential, embracing a sunset-like effect not just overhead, but emanating from the ambiance of lighting and custom furnishings throughout the space. This balance of ethereal lighting and earthy textures captures the very essence of a beachside escape.
Rockwell Group: ChromaClub | #2251
Rockwell Group turned to theatrical inspiration for ChromaClub, which at its heart forms a gathering place to share inspiration and create community. Drawing on its deep hospitality expertise and many threads of connection, the Rockwell team tapped the energy of a luxurious supper club with a bar, stage, and lounge—enveloped by a sculptural, geometric frame draped in diaphanous, iridescent fabric panels done in deep blue, green, and violet hues. Meant to capture knowledge and stories, the stage is surrounded by seating along with varying levels of opacity and angled portals that lend a sense of theater to the happenings within.
KTGY | Simeone Deary Design Group: Down the Rabbit Hole | #2935
For its space aptly named Down the Rabbit Hole, KTGY | Simeone Deary Design Group based its narrative on 2023 as the Year of the Rabbit. As both design muse and inspiration, the rabbit represents longevity, peace, prosperity, and, most importantly, hope. The space evolved as part bunny hutch, part secret garden, with a hint of a mad tea party, intended to evoke conversation and build community and camaraderie—focusing on the simple joy of coming together. It was a vision of reality in what turned out to be a true Wonderland.
1 Hotels: Designed by Nature | #369
Nature is inextricably intertwined into everything at 1 Hotels. For BDNY, the design team brings outside elements indoors—think roughhewn wood, textured stone, handwoven palm accents, and a eucalyptus-pole trellis that caps a repurposed, overarching structure. 1 Hotels and its partners turned to airy drapery for softness, cascading greenery to filter overhead light, and a neutral color palette for furnishings. The main goal: Achieve serene surroundings using sustainably sourced materials including GREENGUARD® Certified fabrics, recycled-fiber carpet, and Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified engineered hardwood flooring.
Conference Programming
Engaging talks from the hospitality industry’s rising stars, thought leaders, moguls, and mavericks, will take place on the Mainstage, in the Hub, the NEWH booth, and throughout the four Designed Spaces with highlights including:
Sunday, Nov. 12
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
BD Brand Central: Evolving Boutique and Lifestyle
Explore the current zeitgeist among boutique and lifestyle brands as legacy names and up-and-comers discuss their lodestars and pillars. Then unpack how design teams can exceed expectations on brand.
Audra Tuskes, VP, design, Marriott International
Diana Kessler, creative director, The Kessler Collection
Michael Bodsworth, VP, design management, Montage International
Crystal Vinisse Thomas, VP, global brands, Hyatt Hotels
Katie Kervin, senior managing editor, Hospitality Design magazine
11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. | BD Hub #100
Design for the Mind: The Value of Psychology and Neuroaesthetics in Hospitality
What is the science of environmental design psychology and neuroaesthetics, and how does it apply to hospitality design? Moreover, why should we be thinking about this now? In designing the guest experience, consider ambient belonging and the check-in/arrival experience; psychological safety; multi-sensory design, well-being and biophilia; and connections. For the latter, an expert panel addresses the loneliness epidemic by evaluating social spaces–specifically designing for improved productivity, communication, and cognitive function that support corporate gatherings, retreats and off-sites in hospitality venues.
Sarah Bonsall, regional director, the Americas, architecture and design, Six Senses
Suchi Reddy, founder, Reddymade Architecture and Design
Kamille Glenn, founder, dsgnrswrkshp
Rebecca Fairman, interior design lead, Airbnb
Stacy Morton Callighan, cofounder, PinPoint Collective
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
BD Trends: Tracking Shifts in Boutique and Beyond
A deeper knowledge of trends across typologies and industries may help futureproof your company—and your designs. Top industry leaders share market shifts they are watching, as well as what to ignore.
Siobhan Barry, design director/principal, Gensler
Shida Salehi, founder, Customs Bureau
Giancarlo Pietri, principal/creative director, Urban Robot Associates
Adriana Marianella, chief development officer, NeueHouse & Fotografiska
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
BD | ISHP Boutique Design Owners Grill
Investment. Capital costs. Design direction. Supply chain. ROI. Owners share their biggest opportunities and most pressing challenges in an ever-changing development landscape.
Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, editor in chief, Hospitality Design, and SVP, design group, Emerald
Andrew Katz, consultant, Prospect Hotel Advisors LLC
Rebecca Weinstein, VP, design, Highgate Hotels
Josh Perlman, director, design and construction, DiamondRock Hospitality
Jeanette Clarke, chief capital investments officer, SVP, Apple Hospitality REIT
Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, founder/COO, Flag Luxury Group
Francis Corso, VP, development, Stockdale Capital Partners
Scott Hammons, president, Ground LVL
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Imaginative Travel by Andaz #1869
Crafting Memorable Resort Experiences
With a multi-disciplinary team, look at principles and priorities when crafting resort experiences—then go deeper on operator perspectives regarding current leisure travel and related demands, goals, and challenges. Among key areas is the critical importance of sustainable design alongside wellness trends. Finally, examine best practices and crucial aspects for programming profitable resorts.
Malcolm Berg, principal, EoA
Sarah Klymson, global VP, product and brand development, Hyatt
Marisol Fisher, regional VP, Timeless Brands, Hyatt
Beatrice Girelli, director, design, indidesign
Simon Marxer, VP, Spa & Wellbeing, Hyatt
Ronald Zurcher, president/lead architect, Zurcher Arquitectos
Monday, Nov. 13
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | BD Hub #100
BDNY Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast
A Boutique Design magazine signature event, presented in partnership with NEWH, BD Power Players convenes leaders across design, operations, investment, ownership and purchasing for a lively, strategic discussion of industry challenges, opportunities, innovation and development.
Helen Jorgensen, VP, design and procurement, Host Hotels & Resorts
Nina Grondin, managing partner, Curioso LLC
Vanessa Waldner, founder/president, The Ness Group
Melissa Banko, founder, Banko Design
Alexis Readinger, founder, Preen Inc.
Katie Kervin, senior managing editor, Hospitality Design magazine
Julie Frank, VP, design, Aspen Hospitality
LeAnn Shelton, general counsel, director, business affairs, Rockwell Group
Advance registration required.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
BD Dines Out: What Matters Now in F+B
Check-in on what’s happening in restaurant design today, in an era where creative thinking is a proven competitive advantage. We’re talking customer loyalty and preferences, as well as concepts and ideas, chef and local centricity, brand authenticity, technology, design must-haves and more.
Matthew Goodrich, principal, Goodrich
Maija Kreishman, principal, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Cass Calder Smith, founder, Cass Calder Smith Architecture
Preeti Sriratana, managing director, partner, Modellus Novus
Vivian Bencich, founding principal, Square Feet Studio
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Down the Rabbit Hole #2935
The Impact of AI on Design: How Is this New Technology Shaping How We Create Now and In the Future?
It is changing our daily lives and seems to be affecting us all in the design world. Given our evolving future and the lightning pace of scientific advances, we need to understand this technology quickly and decide how and where it fits in our world. How will it influence how we create and how will it impact the “human” quality we bring to design? Listen and contribute to this of-the-moment discussion.
Todd Towers, CEO, Farmboy
Carol Bentel, architect, partner, Bentel & Bentel Architects, and chair, BFA Interior Design Department, School of Visual Arts
John Robison, COO, KTGY
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
Hospitable Thinking: The Secret Weapon Brands in Other Sectors are Adopting Now
Thinking hospitably is no longer reserved just for hospitality. Brands looking to get ahead are adopting and implementing hospitality principles to create products, experiences, and services based on memorable engagement for customers. This session taps the philosophy of “Hospitable Thinking” that integrates behavioral sciences and environmental psychology–exploring timeless core truths that surprise and delight guests and stakeholders alike.
Nick Solomon, chief creative officer, AvroKO
Chyrie Sell, senior manager, Group Creative Director, Capital One
Joshua Powe, director brand experience, Delta Air Lines
Melinda Welch, head of strategy, Brand Bureau
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | BD Mainstage #2869
New in New York: Innovative Ideas and Concepts
New York has earned it reputation as the epicenter of the design world, and hospitality venues are increasingly turning to immersive experiences to innovate and elevate guest experience. Hear from leading designers and owners about how they create some of the city’s freshest and most engaging concepts.
Julien Albertini, founding partner, Asthetique Group
Ryan Nelson, cofounder, INTER_IAM
Tom Parker, cofounder/creative director, Fettle
For the full agenda and conference line up, click here.
Networking Events
On Monday, Nov. 13, BDNY will host its 43rd annual Gold Key Awards at Cipriani 42nd St., where winners in 22 project categories—from fine dining and resort to luxury hotel and senior living—will be revealed. The Gold Key Awards will also present the Judges’ So Cool and its coveted Designer of the Year awards. The gala event will also honor the rising design stars of the 2023 Boutique 18 class and BD’s Up-and-Coming Hoteliers of the year. Gold Key Awards tickets may be purchased here.
The 34th annual Platinum Circle Awards Gala, hosted by Hospitality Design magazine, will take place on Friday, Nov. 10, at Gotham Hall in New York, feting five hospitality leaders for lifetime achievement: Martin Brudnizki, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio; Ted Carroll, the Carroll Adams Group; Raul Leal, SH Hotels & Resorts; Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Flag Luxury; and Libby Sims Patrick, Sims Patrick Studio. NEWH CEO Shelia Lohmiller will be honored with the Manfred Steinfeld Humanitarian Award. Platinum Circle Awards Gala tickets may be purchased here.
Registration details
Registration for industry professionals currently starts with an advance rate of $325 for a two-day conference pass (until Oct. 28), with full conference and trade fair options available here. For the full agenda and conference lineup, visit www.bdny.com.
Members of the media may register for a complimentary press pass here.
Show hours
Sunday, Nov. 12 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 13 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
