New collaborations foster community and elevate the design landscape 

Kit Kemp, AvroKO, Sam Nazarian amongst industry legends taking center stage at HD Park, alongside 600+ exhibitors and 100+ speakers sharing insight and expertise

(Las Vegas – March 3, 2025) HD Expo + Conference, the largest single destination for hospitality product discovery in the U.S., returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from May 6 – May 8, 2025, for three immersive days of curated programming and connection. The multifaceted event will gather 600+ product manufacturers spanning over 25 categories — from furniture and wallcoverings to lighting and tech — and offer 30+ conference sessions featuring more than 150 distinguished leaders and rising stars from across the industry. As a twist to the conference programming, the mainstage, the HD Park, will feature a series of keynotes from hospitality design icons and visionaries including Kit Kemp, the creative mastermind behind Firmdale Hotels, innovative hotelier Sam Nazarian, Wynn Design + Development’s creative genius Todd-Avery Lenahan, and the much-admired founding partners of AvroKO: Kristina O’Neal, William Harris, Greg Bradshaw, and Adam Farmerie, who will share their incredible journey and lessons learned along the way.

“Las Vegas has long served as a laboratory for groundbreaking hospitality design and it continues to evolve and innovate, and we are excited to bring the community together here to celebrate the people, ideas, and products that make it so incredible,” says Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Editor-in-Chief of Hospitality Design and SVP, Design Group, Emerald. “This year, we are bringing a fresh perspective to our conference with can’t miss keynote speakers and conference sessions that dive into the business of design, all showcased in three immersive spaces designed by leading designers. Plus, hundreds of products will make their debut on the show floor, and networking events will feature a who’s who of the industry. It’s a one-stop shop for designers, architects, purchasers, brand teams, and owners and operators alike to build their business, get inspired, and discover something new.”

“HD Expo + Conference is more than an exhibition; it’s a launchpad for the future of hospitality design,” says Tim Fearney, Show Director, Emerald, HD Expo + Conference’s parent company. “This year we have 80-plus never-before-seen exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge products. It’s where new ideas, business insights, and connections converge in a thriving collaborative ecosystem.”

2025 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

HD University | Product Specification Bootcamp
HD University: Product Specification Bootcamp returns for its third year. Recognizing the growing need for increased education in specification writing within the industry, HD Expo + Conference, in collaboration with the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), has designed this pre-conference day on May 5th to empower the A&D community with the knowledge and confidence to “spec smarter.” Attendees will gain invaluable insights from leading industry experts, including brand representatives, ownership groups, purchasing professionals, manufacturers, and A&D executives, through interactive sessions focused on crafting the ideal spec across five key categories: lighting, surfaces, casegoods, fabric, and flooring. Participants will earn five (5) CEU credits and receive a certificate of completion. Separate registration is required for this valuable educational opportunity.

Women in Design Awards Breakfast
The Women in Design Awards Breakfast returns for its third year on May 6, 2025, celebrating the exceptional achievements of women shaping the hospitality industry. In partnership with industry non-profit NEWH, Hospitality Design magazine will honor a handful for their innovation, leadership, and design excellence. This year’s honorees are Marisol Fisher, Hyatt; Nicole Fournier, MGM Resorts International; Masako Fukuoka, CRÈME; Nina Grondin, Curioso; Helen Jorgensen, Host Hotels & Resorts; and Chantell Walsh, Strategic Hotels & Resorts.

The ticketed event will also feature the presentation of multiple NEWH scholarships and NEWH will announce the recipient of this year’s esteemed ICON of Industry award, which will be awarded at HD’s sister event, the Gold Key Awards during BDNY in November.

HD Awards 
The annual HD Awards, presented by Hospitality Design magazine, celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in hospitality design in both projects and products. The 2025 winners, selected from more than 1,200 submissions in 40 categories by a distinguished jury of industry leaders, will be revealed live on May 6th at the annual HD Awards celebration at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. The evening will also celebrate this year’s Design Firm of the Year and Hotelier of the Year, Meyer Davis and Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels, respectively, as well as the Hospitality Diversity Action Council’s (HDAC) Awards of Excellence honoree.

2025 FEATURE SPACES

HD Café
This year, HD Expo + Conference is deepening its relationship with Las Vegas’ major hospitality players by elevating the HD Café, a casual dining area on the show floor showcasing some of the best of MGM Resorts’ cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the lush gardens and vibrant energy of their signature properties, locally based Woogmaster Studio imagined the space with a refined elegance and classical aesthetic, offering an inviting setting for attendees to connect, grab a bite, and recharge throughout the three days.

HD Park
HD Park (booth #2873), home to all CEU-accredited conference sessions, is being transformed by San Raphael, California-based firm EDG. For the design, the team found inspiration in the landscape that lays just beyond the convention walls. Like stepping into the interior of a modern adobe home, guests will enjoy lively and important discussions in a warm, welcoming space—wrapped in warm hues pulled from the desert sky at sunrise and sunset—that has all the crafted approachability that makes the Southwest a source of timeless design. A conference pass is required for session attendance.

HD DesignWell Pavilion
Recognizing the critical role of wellness and sustainability in the hospitality industry, the DesignWell Pavilion (booth #4973), designed by HBA, is a dedicated space for sessions that explore the latest trends, solutions, and projects making an impact in the $6.3 trillion wellness industry. Crafted as a secret garden, the space offers a retreat on the show floor, a place where attendees can learn, recharge, and connect.

HD Social Hub
Envisioned by Dallas-based Flick Mars, the HD Social Hub (booth #5735) provides a central gathering point for interactive conversations focused on the business of design—from how to grow your firm and trends to know to industry outlooks and development updates. Designed as an iconic Rat Pack-era hotspot with a fresh, modern twist, the stage has been set for engaging speakers and intimate hangouts alike.

HD EXPO + CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration for industry professionals currently starts at $229 for an expo only pass, with full conference options available here.

HD EXPO + CONFERENCE PRESS REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration for media can be accessed here. For the full agenda and conference lineup, visit www.hdexpo.com.

Sponsors
32 Brands, BG Hospitality, Agio, Akula, Artisan Kulture, Brintons, Buzz, C2C, Country Draperies, Couristan, Culp Hospitality, Daltile, Dedon, Delta, Durkan, Emu, Emser Tile, Encore, Fabric Innovations, Fairmont Designs, Fildoux Textiles, GlenDimplex Americas, HB Lighting, Inpro, Kevin Barry Art Advisory, Kimball Hospitality, Koroseal, KravetContract, LacquerCraft Hospitality, Ledge, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Mandy Li Collection, MGM Resorts International, Go MLH Hospitality, MyLoFleur Floral, RENWIL Hospitality, SafeMark, ShawContract Hospitality, SLH A Hooker Furnishings Company, Supplied Manufacturer of Drapery Hardware, Ultrafabrics, Ultrasuede, Velarium Precision Shade, Wayfair Professional, and William-Sonoma, Inc. Business to Business.

About HD Expo + Conference
As the industry leader, the annual HD Expo + Conference in Las Vegas brings together the entire hospitality design community—interior designers, architects, hoteliers, owners, operators, developers, and purchasers—for strategic networking events, exclusive product premieres, inspiring education, and bespoke experiences. Over three days, it’s where these hospitality professionals come face-to-face with the most captivating products and resources to consider for global projects, as well as stay on top of industry news and trends through thought-provoking conference programming featuring more than 150 design visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders, curated by Hospitality Design magazine. HD Expo + Conference is owned by Emerald. For more information, please visit www.hdexpo.com.

 About Emerald
Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com.

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