The schedule of content has been curated with a unique focus on the Southern States and CALA region’s hotel, resort, and private island destination market.
With a variety of learning experiences, the program aims to inspire and inform professionals looking to develop in their careers, gain inspiration, and get ahead of future trends.
This program is in partnership with NEWH, and accredited by the International Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC).
Tuesday 3 June
Opening Remarks & NEWH Scholarship
Join My Nguyen, as she opens the show and welcomes attendees. Following this, a winning interior design student will be awarded with the coveted NEWH scholarship, gifted by HRDS & CSI.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Sustainable Design Summit: Reducing the mid-life waste crisis
This session continues the conversation on how to reduce waste in refurbishments developing from previous Sustainable Design Summit working groups. Speakers will provide recent updates on circularity projects, sharing their experiences and insights into the ‘how’ when it comes to circularity - and demonstrating the all-important ‘why’ which backs the business case.
- Comprehensive refits at 10 – 15 years include replacing carpets and thousands of loose furniture items
- AIDA Evolution: closed-loop carpet initiatives demonstrate full circularity in action
- Breaking down barriers in furniture donations
- Bringing circularity on board vessels for true sustainability outcomes
- Reducing the mid-life waste crisis can also meet the business case
- Beyond the demolition plan: how to make reduction and recycling a seamless process in hotel refurbishments
Speakers
NEWH Lunch & Learn
From Stay to Story: Creating Crave-Worthy Moments through Lifestyle Hotel
Today’s discerning travellers crave more than just luxury — they seek unforgettable, personalized moments delivered with seamless service. This dynamic panel reveals the visionary design and thoughtful strategies behind Beachmaker Resort, a destination built to captivate and convert.
Learn how curated guest experiences and intuitive service not only foster deep loyalty but drive measurable returns on investment.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
Leaders Debate: What’s the value brands are bringing to different regions across southern states and CALA?
Hotel interior projects must infuse local culture and storytelling to create authentic guest experiences that both inspire and educate. Featuring upper midscale to luxury products from Marriott, Grupo Posadas and Choice hotels, our esteemed panel will explore the key elements which resonate deeply with guests, and build connection with the local community.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
Meet the Brand: The Parker Company
Join this exclusive Q&A with The Parker Company — an opportunity to hear experienced insights, ask your burning questions, and gain insider knowledge from one of the industry's leading procurement companies.
This session is held exclusively for CSI+ Members, Plus Pass & VIP Pass holders, Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Press.
Location: Cruise & Ferry VIP Lounge
Conversions: Uniting diverse visions to elevate design
Project scope, quality and brand standards are all important for leveraging conversions in properties which are levelling up. Integrating the different perspectives and motivations of the owner, designer, architect, corporate operations and the brand is mission critical. Discover key strategies for defining the right scope to elevate and optimise design, ensuring net new unit growth in southern states and CALA.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
Wednesday 4 June
Designing for well-being: Wellness, connection, & the future of experiential hospitality
Join leading designers and hospitality experts as they explore how to craft spaces that foster holistic well-being, connection to nature, and multi-sensory rejuvenation. From fitness and wellness to F&B innovations, this panel will examine the evolving role of materials, FF&E choices, and spatial design in shaping guest experiences that inspire vitality and a profound sense of emotional connection - defining the next era of hospitality.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
Shared horizons: Thinking across hospitality design disciplines
Land-based and cruise designers come together in conversations about key areas they can learn from each other. This session asks - how does each sector approach storytelling, authenticity and sense of place. And in the spirit of collaboration - where are the opportunities for working together, bringing different expertise to cross-fertilise designs?
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
Lunch & Learn with Sonesta
In this content session-cross-networking event, we'll hear directly from a leading hotel and resort brand getting insider knowledge on their design and procurement processes, and exciting upcoming projects.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
305 Design Break
In this interactive session, we spotlight Miami-based design studios, offering insights into their inspiring work across specialized sectors including hotel, cruise, retail, and restaurant design.
Location: HRDS Lounge
Speakers
