The 2016 Dwell on Design (DOD) Los Angeles conference ran June 24–26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and saw great attendance for the show’s 11^h year.

“We have seen great growth and changes over the last 11 years,” said Michela O’Connor Abrams, CEO of Dwell. “This has been an amazing year for us, starting with the great partnership with UK based Informa. It is hard to believe we already have a year under our belt, and the new ownership has brought such collaboration and inspiration as a team. We are now looking at the show through a global lens, and targeting 2018 as the year to take DOD international.”

First -exhibitor Living Spaces wanted to represent an expertise on the showfloor to attendees. “Exhibiting at Dwell allows us to engage with a design audience, and to show our company not as just a furniture vendor, but a true design destination. We provide a design planner and design technology at every location, so the consumer can have an informed and enjoyable experience in creating their room,” said Rene Interiano, vice president, Marketing and E-Commerce.

Concepts like sustainable design were prevalent, as was the emerging trend of the tiny home. Attendees were able to tour homes that used modular functionality of furniture to maximize space usage, as well as see trends like ecofriendly materials in use.

Being able to get new ideas for clients and network with design-minded individuals brought in first-time attendee Fallon Liles from Rafterhouse in Phoenix.

“I only have today to be on the showfloor, but I can make the most of my time with both networking and discovering new trends and ideas,” Liles said. “There is so much to see, and I am excited to bring this new information back to my clientele.” 

The focus on sourcing and finding the next trend in design were also high on the list for attendee Janine Arietta from JAS Interior Designs in San Jose, Calif “The location is right in my backyard, which is ideal, and the mixture of exhibitors gives me a lot of opportunities to source my needs, network, and find inspiration within my design projects,” she said.

New product launches were in abundance as well, both on the show floor with exhibitors and with Dwell on Design.  Exhibitor True Residential launched their new high-end custom slate pearl finish for their residential refrigerators.

“We have been exhibiting at Dwell for over five years, and ideas for new product development come from people like the Dwell attendees,” said Chelsea McClaran, marketing coordinator. “Then we are able to launch the product at the show, and get great feedback on the product’s design. These high design elements, like having a slate pearl finish versus stainless steel, give our customers choices which allow them to create their dream kitchen. It is great to be able to see this design process be full circle, and Dwell is an integral part of that.”

A big launch for Dwell, and years in the making, was the new digital platform from Dwell that allows users to create, collaborate, and converse around all things design. The beta test was launched at the show and had more than 17,000 users signed up the first morning of the show.

“This platform has been something we have been working on since 2006, to provide depth to our digital presence and make hello.dwell.com a digital design destination,” Abrams said. “It is an end-to-end solution, where you can see designs posted by designers and fellow users, ask questions directly to the individual who posted on details of the design elements, go to links to purchase those products and then post your finished project.

She added, “This platform is a perfect complement to both the magazine and the conference, and will bridge the gap between the design technology and the physical output.  We have received such positive feedback, and we will continue to build and optimize the platform.”

Hitting the 10-year mark has not slowed down Dwell on Design or the progress of the conference. “We continue to expand and grow, and see progression that will position Dwell as the design conference to attend,” Abrams said. “Design has never been more interesting, and we are constantly evolving how we connect, educate and inspire those in the industry and who love good design.”

Dwell on Design Los Angeles 2017 will be held June 23-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.