GAME CHANGERS 2013 Here’s our short list of the hospitality designers and operators likely to be among the MIPs (most influential people) in the industry in the coming year. BY MAT THEW HALL THIS WAS TO BE THE YEAR that the world got a look at the first Virgin Hotel. And while that may still happen—officials at brash Sir Richard Branson’s nascent hotel brand say they plan to announce some additional expansion news in the near future—they also disclosed to Boutique Design that the Virgin Hotel originally slated to open this fall in the former Old Dearborn Bank Building in Chicago won’t make its debut until early 2014. Beyond awaiting word on the specifics of Virgin Hotels’ initial unveiling, the coming year will also see several high-profile hospitality design firms and operators begin executing some aggressive growth strategies of their own. Here’s a look at the people playing a pivotal role in those initiatives: 34 boutiquedesign.com JANUARY + FEBRUARY 2013http://www.boutiquedesign.com