Phil Robinson: We’re delivering a totally redesigned industry event that’s interactive, innovative and inspiring. It includes an exciting, redesigned tradeshow floor and experience for attendees and exhibitors alike, a refreshed education strategy to provide more value to attendees and a targeted marketing strategy focused on hospitality decision-makers and influencers.
TJ: What are the long-term goals of the new HX: The Hotel Experience show? What major differences will we see in 2015 and beyond?
PR: The objective is to enhance ROI for exhibitors and attendees. The changes ensure that we attract more decision-makers and influencers – enhancing the value for exhibitors, and, in turn, for attendees by attracting more unique resources. This is not a quick fix, but reflects a multi-year investment by the owner-associations to transform the event.
TJ: We understand that there are going to be a number of new opportunities for attendees and exhibitors to engage one another on the show floor. Can you give us some of the details?
PR: There are a half dozen initiatives; let me share details on two. HX: ONSTAGE, Restaurant, one of three show floor product theaters, elevates and celebrates foodservice, serving decision-makers what’s hot, new and next from kitchen design to the impact of tabletop design on the dining experience. HX: Concierge reinforces our commitment to provide attendees the same level of hospitality they offer their guests. We’ll create custom show experiences—including show floor tours, shopping lists, and suggestions on the most relevant sessions based on the attendee’s specific product and project need.
TJ: Since it is now July and the show is a mere 4 months away, how are you planning to get the word out about the new, totally redesigned, and re-vitalized HX: The Hotel Experience Show?
PR: We have a fully integrated multi-channel marketing campaign, and the support of many association and media partners including TabletopJournal (thank you) to bring our message to market!
PR: Tabletop remains a core exhibit category of HX. You’ll see a greater emphasis on tabletop especially as it relates to its impact on hotel food & beverage operations. The exciting, interactive Tabletop Design Challenge will return for its 3rd edition, and this year’s winning Foodservice Pioneering Concept, “Bienvenu”, to be built out on the HX exhibit floor, has interesting tabletop integration and application.
TJ: The hospitality show and the Boutique Design show have seemingly been growing closer with lots of cross participation and easier access for attendees of both shows? Will that continue and what relationship will the new HX: The Hotel Experience show have with the Boutique Design show?
PR: Yes, BDNY and HX remain co-located. While each show serves unique audiences, I hope you’ll find that more of the show floor energy and excitement from BDNY carries over HX 2015 too.
TJ: Final question…is it too late for potential exhibitors to find good locations for exhibiting at HX: The Hotel Experience? Who should they contact?
PR: It’s not too late. We’ve been able to incorporate lots of great new locations around the new show floor feature areas such as HX: ON STAGE, Restaurant. Please contact Lynn White at lynn.white@stmediagroup.com or 212-754-7938. Thanks! HX: The Hotel Experience – Rooms to Restaurants is the new hospitality show to be held in November in New York. Defining the ultimate in hospitality…. HX: The Hotel Experience Rooms to Restaurants brings the very best of 100 years of IHMRS to give ultimate in hospitality for the next 100 years.
HX: The Hotel Experience – Rooms to Restaurants, will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 10. The show is co-located with the 6th annual Boutique Design New York (BDNY), a trade fair tailored exclusively to hospitality design professionals. BDNY presents manufacturers of furniture, lighting, wall coverings, fabric, seating, accessories, artwork, carpet and flooring materials, and bath and spa products for hospitality on November 8 and 9. Collectively, the two shows will present 900 exhibitors and attract some 18,000-industry professionals.
We recently had a chance to sit with Phil Robinson to ask him a few questions about the show and what both attendees and exhbitors might expect from HX: The Hotel Experience – Rooms to Restaurants. Phil is Group Show Director for HMG, the company that manages the show for the three show owners American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association.
