CINCINNATI, OH, November 30, 2015 – Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the specialized trade fair and conference serving the hospitality design industry, drew more than 5,800 attendees to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for its sixth run, November 8-9, charting a 16% increase in attendance year-over-year.
Exhibit space increased to a record-setting 82,000 square feet, with 547 manufacturers and marketers showcasing furniture, lighting, textiles, fixtures, artwork and other design elements for hospitality interiors. The number of international participants increased substantially, with 62 exhibitors/sponsors from 13 countries including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
“BDNY exceeded expectations this year with a record number of attendees and a notable increase in hospitality brands and ownership groups,” said Michelle Finn, president of Hospitality Media Group (HMG), which produces BDNY and sister trade fair BDwest, held each spring on the West Coast. “We’re grateful for the tremendous support of the hospitality design community, and our association and exhibitor partners. We expect the fair will continue to meet the demands of our industry and grow in attendance and exhibitor participation.”
“I walked the trade fair floor for the full two days and enjoyed every minute,” said attendee Jennifer Farris, senior vice president at Maryland-based RD Jones + Associates. “BDNY is a great connection point for the hospitality industry. Our entire team left inspired.”
2015 also marked BDNY’s largest conference program to date, featuring 30+ interactive discussions with more than 100 leading hospitality owners, developers, designers and procurement specialists. Ten sessions offered continuing education credits with the AIA and IDCEC.
“In terms of conference programming, bigger was definitely better,” says Mary Scoviak, executive editor, Boutique Design, and conference director, HMG. “The broader range of topics in Information, Inspiration and Interactive conference tracks meant that designers and hoteliers could join in conversations on everything from how tennis star Venus Williams is building her hospitality interior design business to how hotel companies are building their brands.”
The two-day event also featured the unveiling of four Designed Spaces for education and networking on the BDNY trade-fair floor, each created by a leading hospitality design firm using a curated mix of exhibitor/sponsor product. Designed Spaces for 2015 included “The BD Bar,” designed by New York-based Meyer Davis Studio; “Kino,” designed by New York-based Stonehill & Taylor Architects P.C.; “PIX,” designed by Winter Park, FL-based Design Poole Inc.; and “The Dalton,” designed by San Francisco-based Puccini Group.
Social events held in conjunction with BDNY included the ISHP Annual Fundraiser and the BDNY Opening Reception on Saturday, Nov. 7, at The Vermilion restaurant and bar; the Boutique Design Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast & Panel Discussion and the Hospitality Design Power Panel on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Javits Center; and the 35th Gold Key Awards Gala on Monday evening at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.
BDNY returns to New York City’s Javits Center for its seventh annual East Coast trade fair, November 13-14, 2016. Details about exhibitors, sessions, speakers and social events—as well as attendee registration and exhibitor information—will be available at bdny.com. To learn more about exhibiting at BDNY, contact Cassie Maurer at 513.263.9316 or email [email protected].