Sleeper Magazine was delighted to be the official media sponsor of the inaugural business meetings forum for hospitality interior design - HI Design, which took place at Stockholm's Clarion Hotel, from 1-3 June. According to organisers Pelican Events, a significant number of delegates held nearly 750 face-to-face meetings over the three days, as well as participating in a social programme including an evening cruise around the inner islands of Stockholm.
"For a launch event we have hosted an exceptional group of delegates who were all positively embracing of the format and extremely active in conducting business for their companies," said Jonathan Needs, Director of organisers, Pelican Events.
Senior executives from 40 design practices and leading hotel groups operating across Europe, Middle East and Africa, including Hirsch Bedner, WATG, Plasma Studio, JOI Design, Hotel Design Inc, Scott Brownrigg, Accor Group, Intercontinental, Shangri-La, Rezidor SAS and many others, were able to conduct their own personalised schedule of meetings over two days with over 30 leading, as well as innovative, interiors suppliers from all over the world.
"Efficient and effective. Ideal to meet potential collaborators and clients," was the view of architect Elyza Falzon of Studio Marco Piva while David Jolly, Director of Technical Services, Europe, Middle East and Africa for Intercontinental Hotels commented: "The strict time-controlled meeting format is very effective and focussed. Attendees are all there for one reason, and there are no distractions. An excellent event!'
Combined with planned meetings and exclusive networking functions, HI Design also hosted a seminar programme, presented by Sleeper contributor Guy Dittrich. Featuring a series of intriguing discussion panels and inspiring presentations from industry figures including James Chappell, Managing Director of The Bench, Terence Ronson, Founder of Pertlink, Karen Young Hay of Hays Concepts, and Ulla Bergstrom, partner at White Arkitecter and project architect for the Clarion Hotel, it allowed delegates to discuss and debate issues relevant to hospitality design.
Rozina Spinnoy, Hotel Design Co-ordinator for Rezidor SAS Hospitality, summarised HI Design as "an excellent experience and a great way to communicate the importance of design for the future and today's world." "Where else could we come to meet a group of truly influential buyers and specifiers in a focused environment to create lasting business relationships?" added Andrew Brett, of Dixon Turner Wallcoverings.
Jonathan Needs concluded: "The people driving competitive edge through design in the hospitality industry hardly have time for their feet to touch the ground. Their schedules are frightening! But they still need to keep up to speed with their supply base and with issues and influences specific to their industry. HI Design provides an effective platform for them to build enduring professional relationships for achieving quality design. "
HI Design EMEA 2007 will be held on 21-23 May 2007. Venue to be announced shortly.
www.hidesign-emea.com
