HD Expo 2026 promises to be full of new features. The program has been reshaped to reflect the needs and expectations of the community surrounding the trade show – collecting feedback and translating it into concrete, innovative proposals, from guided educational sessions to increased buyer engagement and a more streamlined, intuitive exhibition experience. The goal of the event is not only to showcase product innovation, but also to foster networking and create a constructive dialogue within the industry. The new edition is built around these principles, with a renewed identity expressed through a rebranding focused on discovery, learning, and connection.
From May 5 to 7, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, HD Expo expects to welcome over 10,000 hospitality professionals and 550 exhibitors from 16 countries, representing furniture, lighting, textiles, wall coverings, accessories, technology, as well as materials and innovative interior solutions.
Installations created by leading international design firms are a hallmark of the event and return this year with the participation of Gensler and Harken Interiors.
On one hand, Gensler’s “Grand Hotel” recreates a theatrical lounge dedicated to meeting and conversation: velvets, rugs, chandeliers, and plush armchairs shape an enveloping and tactile environment. On the other hand, “Courtside: A DesignWell Pavilion” by Harken Interiors offers a completely different atmosphere – a biophilic oasis that balances stimulation with calm. Both installations invite participants to sit, socialize, and take part in sessions held within them.
The educational program is another focal point of HD Expo 2026. For the first time, it has been developed in collaboration with The Curators, a collective representing hospitality brands, design firms, owners, procurement professionals, and manufacturers. The program includes presentations, panel discussions, informal talks, and the debut of micro-meetings: one-to-one conversations designed to encourage dialogue on shared challenges and emerging opportunities. Topics range widely, from immersive dining design and capital planning strategies to hospitality environments that promote long-term health and well-being, as well as approaches to creating culturally meaningful guest experiences.
Among the new initiatives is also a dedicated buyer program, bringing together 200 key industry figures to foster dialogue with exhibitors.
Meanwhile, flagship events return, including the HD Awards, the HD | NEWH Women in Design Awards breakfast, “Drenched in Design: Party by the Pool,” and the HD | ISHP Owners Roundtable. The community remains at the heart of HD Expo, as Alison Medina, Vice President and Brand Director of Hospitality Design, explains: “We have preserved the traditions they love while evolving the show in response to their feedback – creating more opportunities for connection, more diverse and engaging educational formats, and welcoming spaces to relax, meet, and build relationships.”
