NEWH - Winter 2014 - 68

Partner Profiles
Launching several new designed spaces for its tradeshow BDNY-in collaboration with dash
design, Design Group Carl Ross, Design Poole, FODA Design, HOK, and Wilson Associates-
Hospitality Media Group (HMG) continues to enhance the tradeshow experience. "Each of these
areas, whether a bar, spa, luxury lounge, or guest bath of the future, offers attendees an inspiration board for new concepts, installation techniques, and
product usage as well as creating gathering spaces for working, relaxing, or networking right on the trade fair floor," explains Michelle Finn,
HMG's president.
BDNY ranked No. 1 in exhibit space and attendance growth according to Trade Show Executive and ranked among the top 25 fastest growing
tradeshows in the U.S. by Tradeshow Week . Beyond that, HMG expanded sister trade fair BDWest, which included a partnership with NEWH Orange
County and San Diego Regional groups on the Design in a Box competition, which raised $25,000 for scholarships. Additionally, HMG doubled the size of
the green division at the International Hotel Motel + Restaurant Show (IHM+RS), which it manages, with its Green Education Center.
The continued partnership with NEWH and support as a networking and educational resources is part of the HMG's DNA. "NEWH has never lost its
understanding of the everyday challenges of doing business in the hospitality industry," Finn says, creating ways for talented professionals to leverage
their talents.

The latest innovation from Séura is "elegant outdoor televisions," says co-founder and CEO Gretchen Gilbertson.
Notably, an installation at the Renaissance Denver showcases Séura's lighted mirrors in its guestrooms and
public areas.
The company, which is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, is adding to the organization, hiring John
F. Kelly as director of hospitality business development. Beyond that, the company continues to fabricate design solutions for every area of the hotel,
including technology for guest bathrooms, dining areas, conference rooms, fi tness spaces, pool, outdoor areas, corridors, and lobbies.
In the next 12 to 24 months, Séura will continue to innovate and grow, especially with the help of NEWH, which "is one of the best ways to make
connections in the industry," explains Gilberston. "Sharing innovation, creativity, and ideas allows all of us to be more successful."

With 2015 right around the corner, Summer Classics is planning to launch its Charleston collection in a new weather teak
finish, among others. Additionally, the company introduced Resysta, a new sustainable material that looks like wood
and has a durable polyurethane finish. "We also developed a weathered teak product that uses a proprietary finishing
technique," explains president Bew White.
Sustainability is an important issue for the company, which uses environmentally friendly materials, certified teak, and
reuses resin wicker production scrap in its products. Summer Classics also recently developed a rainproof cushion using a
new fabric from Sunbrella aptly called Rain.
NEWH is a major resource for the company that is "predicting growth in excess of 20 percent in hospitality and assisted
living," in the next year. Summer Classics "feels strongly about giving back to the design community and supporting designers of the future" because of
that relationship, White adds.

With the industry growing, so has Hospitality Design Exposition and Conference (HD Expo),
presented by Hospitality Design magazine and held in May in Las Vegas. This year, the tradeshow
saw a 15 percent increase in attendance over 2013 with more than 900 exhibiting firms on the show
floor. "We are happy to be the connector that brings the buyers and sellers together in so many different ways," explains Cece Loft, marketing director for
the Hospitality Design Group.
In addition, HD partnered with Lodging Econometrics this year to "give us unparalleled access to industry trends, areas of growth, and worldwide
opportunity," Loft says. "We are using that partnership to provide our State of the Industry reports, new connection opportunities, and events that bring
our industry together in exciting ways."
Looking ahead, HD is focusing on its 26th annual Platinum Circle Awards Gala held November 11th, amongst other events, including growing its
support with NEWH as it works within the industry to offer scholarships, career mentoring, networking, and relationship-building events. "[NEWH] cares
about our industry and its people, and we are behind them all the way," says Loft.

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NEWH - Winter 2014

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