HD Expo Scores Record Attendance, Exhibitors in Las Vegas
June 11, 2015
Hospitality design is booming, with the Emerald Expositions’ HD Expo, held May 13-15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, drawing a record crowd and exhibitors.
There were 10,260 registered attendees at the show, which is produced by Hospitality Design magazine, marking a 10-percent increase from last year. The showfloor had 255,200 square feet of booth space, which was also an increase from 2014.
“HD Expo continues to be at the forefront of the industry as we uniquely provide the ultimate platform to bring together and provide access to the world’s leading hospitality design professionals and thought leaders under one roof,” said Liz Sommerville, show director, Hospitality Design Group.
She added, “We take great pride in our established brand and are thrilled to receive such an overwhelmingly positive response from show exhibitors, attendees and conference speakers.”
Exhibitors were pleased with the quality and quantity of attendees. . “Being our third year exhibiting at HD Expo, we found that the overall experience was an improvement from last year as we were able to secure more quality and larger contracts,” said Michele Crociani, business development manager, indel B.
He added, “We also learned from the previous years of how to better present our products and to showcase our unique products for the industry.”
This year’s Keynote Address at HD Expo was a presentation of a storied career led by Clodagh, founder of Clodagh Design.
HDExpo also hosted interactive sessions such as the Owner’s Roundtable, where attendees and exhibitors had a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one with notable designers, owners, developers and investors in the industry.
At the HD Expo Social Hub, designed by Hilton Worldwide and inspired by the new Canopy brand, attendees and exhibitors gathered for HD Conversations, 30-minute intimate discussions with industry heavyweights, and NEWH Green Voice Conversations, featuring notable experts that spoke through a series of interactive sessions covering sustainable themes such as biophilic design, futuristic materials, smaller footprint trends, and detoxifying hotel interiors.
HD Expo is in association with American Society of Interior Designers (ASID); International Interior Design Association (IIDA); International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ); and NEWH, Inc.—The Hospitality Industry Network.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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