Hospitality Design Expo Welcomes the Industry to Las Vegas

The annual gathering brought 850+ exhibitors and influential professionals from all areas of the hospitality field to Mandalay Bay May 2-4

With thousands passing through the Mandalay Bay convention center to visit 850 exhibitors, Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas on May 2 through 4 was the place for designers, real estate developers, buyers, and hotel owners and operators to touch, feel and experience the newest materials and products, as well as network with colleagues. Strong interest in trade shows is a reminder that catalogues and technology are still limited; seeing furniture, textiles and other elements up close remains essential to the design process.
HD Expo is an far-reaching event, attracting a crowd from all over the world in all sectors related to the hospitality industry, including exhibitors from Europe and Italy. Laguna Beach-based InterraDesigns displayed a range of Pedrali contract pieces that incorporate both modern flair and eco-friendly materials. InterraDesigns is the only showroom and distributor of the Italian brand in the U.S.

Nardi presented its durable, fun and lightweight outdoor furnishings, and will be at ICFF as part of NYCxDesign this month. Other Italian outdoor makers had a strong presence, notably the relaxed casual elegance of Il Giardino di Legno. Varaschin showcased select sophisticated outdoor pieces that incorporate earthy woven elements.
In a different category, Elledue brought examples of its custom cruise ship contract work, also on display in the convention’s Italian Contract 4 Hospitality Design area.
Loloey‘s display highlighted the Milan company’s complex carpet techniques and designs, as well as its collections with high-profile designers, including the wildly prolific Karim Rashid and architect Daniel Libeskind.

Brazilian brand Tidelli Outdoor‘s endless creative possibilities and its bright color palette drew eyes to its lively installation with hanging seating, side tables, storage bins, rugs and lounge chairs all made out of its signature marine-grade, handmade rope that’s crafted in Brazil. The company, which has many showrooms in Brazil and several in the U.S., maintains a policy of supporting its local community of makers and craftspeople, a program that also enables women to conveniently produce smaller accessories in their own homes. Tidelli‘s collaborations with prominent Brazilian designers advances its relaxed, young aesthetic with its mix of playfulness and design savvy.

Along with intriguing new items from leading brand names such as Kohler (the 3-D printed Grid Sink Faucet and Cube Handles from its subsidiary brand Kallista won the Best of Competition award in this Interior Design Association/HD Product Design Competition), and impressive displays by the likes of Sunbrella, Kravet, RH and Williams-SonomaInc. to the Trade, specific installations made an impression. Quality & Company from Canada’s booth with various cool, chic vignettes translated into perfect Instagram moments. Royal Thai‘s display of its RE/Form collection of 21 Zaha Hadid-inspired designs was nothing short of stunning. Saniharto created an on-site curated experience of the company’s distinctive luxury and craft.

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HD Expo 2018 Celebrates Winners of IIDA’s Best Product Design Competition. Kallista took home the Best of Competition

Another conversation piece at HD Expo was “The Box” competition, featuring results of the challenge in which 12 firms designed a “dream guest room” prototype. This year, winning firm Chapi Chapo Design from Toronto, Canada, saw its space efficient yet luxurious project realized in three dimensions on the convention floor.