What’s on at HRDS 2024

Hotel & Resort Design South (HRDS) is fast approaching! From 6 – 7 June 2024, the southern states and Latin American based hotel & resort design supply chain will unite at the Miami Beach Convention Center for two days of networking, knowledge sharing, and product sourcing. Now in its second year, HRDS has (significantly) grown its networking opportunities, conference program sessions, and exhibition on offer, making this one hotel trade show you won’t want to miss! With just a few days to go, we have highlighted our top picks from the expansive HRDS show itinerary to help you plan your visit.

Networking opportunities abound

HRDS has specially curated its itinerary to facilitate a space to create long-lasting partnerships across the supply chain. With a dedicated lounge to hold meetings, niche, focused networking opportunities, and social events, there are plenty of chances to source new products and make valuable industry connections. As the only event catered exclusively to those involved in the design of world-class hotels, resorts, and private island destinations from across the southern states, Caribbean, and LATAM region, these valuable networking opportunities are not to be missed!

Kicking off the HRDS itinerary is the Opening Party, providing the chance to make new connections and catch up with existing contacts. Dress to impress while enjoying a performance from Julio Iglesias Jr under a Miami sunset glow. This high-energy celebration is just the first of many networking opportunities taking place across the two-day event. From a wellness program to networking lunches, there’s something for everyone! This tailored networking line-up ensures that every niche within a niche is catered to, granting buyers and suppliers the opportunity to find the partnership they are looking for at HRDS.

This year’s vast array of networking opportunities offers plenty of chances to connect from sunrise to sundown. Starting day one, early risers can take to Miami beach for Rise ‘n’ Run and Sunrise Netwalking sessions, through to the Happy Hour drinks closing day one. On day two, invited attendees can rise with the sun at a Rooftop Yoga session. There will also be a Miami Breathwork and Ice Bath Experience, taking place at 7:15 at the Kimpton Palomar, for those wanting to take the plunge. The Showstoppers Drinks Reception will close day two, where all attendees can raise a glass to the end of a successful show with colleagues and connections, both new and old.

An inspiring conference program

Tune into the Hotel & Resort Design South 2024 conference for a deep dive into the current trends, challenges and opportunities facing the hotel and resort design industry. Industry experts and leading voices will unite to weigh in and offer insights into expertly curated sessions that cover everything you need to gain a comprehensive insight of the current state of the industry. Topics discussed will include developments in eco-tourism, private island destinations and upscale products, lifestyle hotels and local influences, new projects across the Caribbean, and more.

Region-focused travel trends

Attend Horizon Watch: Developments & trends in tomorrow’s designs and destinations for an exploration of current trends across the southern states, Caribbean, and LATAM. Uncover which destinations the next generation want to visit, and how crafted storytelling through design can attract people to more remote destinations. Additionally, with eco-tourism on the rise, hear what developments are taking place in this market and how these will be impacting interior design going forward. Learn from success stories and case studies and get inspired for your next project.

Caribbean spotlight

On day one, take to the HRDS lounge for Spotlight on the Caribbean’, where speakers representing HKS, Six Senses Galapagos, Iberostar Group, Hyatt and OBMI will dive into the many upcoming and completed projects in this flourishing market and their success factors. The panel will also discuss supply chain and design challenges, with a focus on island-specific challenges, and explore the question ‘can “all inclusive” be luxury?

Boutique boom

In Lifestyle goes corporate – is it an oxymoron?, a panel of industry leaders will weigh in on the growth of boutique and lifestyle hotels, exploring their growth into the mainstream. Discover the charm of boutique hotels’ bespoke, attention-grabbing designs, and their talent for providing one of a kind guest experience and bringing local communities to life. Additionally, speakers will explore the art of using design to inject the quirky into lifestyle hotels and attract guests who are looking for more than cookie-cutter replications.

Changing demographics

When designing hospitality interiors, it is important to understand the needs and requirements of all guest demographics. As Gen Z shake up the industry, it is vital to understand this new generation of traveller. Tune into Next-gen hospitality: Trends reshaping guest lifestyles to uncover everything Gen Z, from spending habits to solo travel and remote working lifestyles.

Cross-networking Q&As

Invited delegates can join GMBHA and IHG Hotels & Resorts at a Q&A-cross-networking event on day one of the show. This session is designed to provide attendees with insider knowledge on procurement processes and what goes into a successful renovation project at IHG. As well as giving you the opportunity to pose important questions to industry buyers and connect you with your peers in the local and regional hospitality community.

Source from hundreds of exhibitors

The product showcase will be returning to HRDS for its second year, featuring products ranging from lighting to furniture, stone, and surface materials to scent delivery systems. This year’s HRDS Product Showcase will host names such as Williams Sonoma Inc B2B, Tarkett Hospitality, Secto Design, and more.

Alongside the Product Showcase, delegates can also walk the aisles and see among over 300 exhibitors. With the show taking place alongside Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas, this provides the ideal opportunity to meet forward thinking suppliers from the hospitality design sectors across a wide range of categories, from textiles to lighting, and beyond.

Fast-paced introductions

For buyers seeking a more bespoke/customised experience, Hotel & Resort Design South has developed dedicated Speed Networking sessions. These provide a dynamic platform for decision-makers and buyers to connect seamlessly with suppliers in a series of fast-paced introductions. Each session is curated to match buyers and suppliers from within a particular focus, with VIPs able to tailor their preferences based on project requirements.

Cross sector exploration

Hotel and Resort Design South is co-located with Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas. This provides attendees with the ideal opportunity to explore this growing industry. Many hotel giants have announced at-sea destinations recently, from Four Seasons Yachts to Aman’s Project Sama, and the recently launched Ritz Carlton’s Evrima.

Sustainable Design Summit (SDS) provides a year-round global platform dedicated to making sustainable choices easier for interior designers working in the hospitality travel interiors sectors. Its new format consists of in-person and online Working Groups, and bi-yearly Summits facilitating the space for those passionate about sustainable design to connect and collaborate, share ideas, challenges, and solutions, and drive progress toward a more sustainable future. The next in-person SDS Working Group will take place alongside Hotel & Resort Design South, with conversations exploring a circularity state of mind on day one of the event.

Explore Miami

Planning to extend your stay? Hotel & Resort Design South taking place at the end of the week provides the ideal opportunity to stay and explore Miami over the weekend. Read our top 6 things to do in Miami blog for some inspiration.