Healthcare Design - April 2017 - 10

Show Talk
ADVERTISERS' INDEX

L E T ' S T A K E A WA L K

ADVERTISER

PA G E

AcornVac ................................................................. 19

Florida's Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention
Center will be home to the 2017 HCD Expo
By Kevin Gaffney

American Specialties, Inc. ........................................... 12
Architex International .................................................. C4
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions ......................................... 39

VISITORS TO THE expansive Gaylord Palms Re-

sort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla.,
are greeted by a vaulting atrium above winding waterways and scenic foliage. The property
pays homage to different regions of Florida, including St. Augustine, the Everglades, and Key
West-a trip around the state without ever leaving the hotel (there are alligators, too). It sounds
great, especially if you're planning a getaway
with your family; but what about for a conference and trade show?
It's been four years since the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference was
located at the Gaylord Palms, so my team and I decided to check out the space
to get a feel for how our 2017 version being held there Nov. 11-14 will go. Having done many site visits over the last 20 years, I've always found that no two
properties are ever the same and each one poses unique challenges and opportunities. One of the biggest challenges for a show like HCD Expo is to find
a venue that can accommodate a large conference component with a trade
show nearby. However, the main purpose of these trips is to put myself in
your shoes and see if I can determine how the venue will work for you.
I landed at Orlando International Airport and inside of 30 minutes, I
was pulling up to the property. Next, my team and I walked the site as you
likely will: through the atrium and into the convention center. Although a
large-scale site, the show space is easy to find from the hotel, and the meeting rooms are comfortable and offer plenty of natural light. A quick walk
and ride down the escalator and we arrived at the expo hall and registration area. I was happy to find that navigation was intuitive, and between
the show site and entry atrium there are plenty of options for shopping and
dining in off hours.
Next we walked outside to the expansive lawn area where you'll be able
to grab a breath of fresh air and mingle with colleagues during our Havana
Nights party, hosted by KI the evening of Nov. 13. We then returned to the
conference level for a peek at the Osceola Ballroom, the location of our
keynote sessions and annual awards luncheon. From there, we took the escalators back down to the exhibit level, where the buses will depart for our
facility tours on Nov. 11.
We couldn't leave without sampling some of the great fare we'll have on
tap-quality control, of course-and then it was back to the airport. I wasn't
entirely sure what to expect on the way to the Palms, but I can tell you as
I was taking the quick drive back to the airport, I couldn't help but smile.
Logistically the venue and the space will work perfectly. Most importantly,
I think it will work very well for you.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing all about your personal experiences at the 2017 HCD Expo. 

APRIL 2017

Center for Health Design....................................... 53, 55
Construction Specialties ................................................ 2
Crypton ................................................................... 43
DeepStream Designs .................................................. 44
Glen-Gery................................................................ 25
HCD Expo & Conference............................................ 50
HD Expo.................................................................. 45
Healthcare Design Forum ............................................ 54
Integra Inc.................................................................. 5
Kimball Health .......................................................... C3
Krug ....................................................................... C2
Levi + Wong Design Associates ................................... 38
Metroflor.................................................................. 34
Modular Services ...................................................... 16
Momentum Textiles ....................................................... 8

Nov. 11-14, 2017;
Orlando, Fla.
HCDexpo.com

Nora Systems Inc. ..................................................... 27

GROUP SHOW DIRECTOR

Placzek Studio .......................................................... 51

Kevin Gaffney
kevin.gaffney@emerald
expo.com
770.291.5446
SALES MANAGER

Mark Lind
mark.lind@
emeraldexpo.com
770.291.5489

OFS Brands/Carolina .................................................. 1

Sherwin-Williams Co. ................................................ 11
Sika Corporation ....................................................... 40
Skyline Design .......................................................... 17
Steelcase Health ....................................................... 37
Strongarm Design ...................................................... 44

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Lindsey Judy
lindsey.judy@
emeraldexpo.com
770.291.5405
MARKETING MANAGER

Mary Kay Thompson
mary.thompson@
emeraldexpo.com
770.291.5440

HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Visa Lighting ............................................................... 7
Whitehall Manufacturing ............................................ 18
Wilsonart................................................................. 15

The index to advertiser page numbers is published for reader
convenience. Every effort is made to list page numbers correctly. The listing is not part of the advertising contract and the
publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

http://www.HCDexpo.com http://www.HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Healthcare Design - April 2017

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