Boutique Design New York (BDNY) describes its annual tradeshow as a time to “connect boutique hospitality brands and designers with exceptional vendors, insider experiences, and hospitality products not found anywhere else.”
For JAI, the BDNY tradeshow is a time of inspiration, pushing boundaries, and exploring the unexpected. Two high-energy days of product immersion and gaining wisdom from individuals who define hospitality’s boutique segment. We leave exhausted yet renewed, full of ideas, and closer as a team.
New Innovations
BDNY manages to combine networking with endless inspiration. It’s impossible not to walk away with a head full of ideas from the inventive new furnishings, lighting, and textiles worthy of display in upcoming projects.
BDNY proved that Green Walls / Living Walls are here to stay! The Biophilic and Wellness Design trend is continuing to grow even post-pandemic, but we noticed more modern installations.
Burgundy is back! Canyon palettes emerged onto the scene two years ago, but this season showed darker, moodier palettes with burgundy added.
Oh, the curves! Furniture innovations showcased bent wood, soft curves, and asymmetric design that had us swooning.
Trip Highlights
This year’s tradeshow did not disappoint. Every moment led to strengthening my team, cultivating new and old relationships, and viewing awe-inspiring design elements. It would be an understatement to say we all grew professionally and personally. Plus, we had a lot of fun!
I was honored to be invited to the HD Platinum Circle at Gothic Hall, where our industry celebrated seven distinguished professionals inducted into Hospitality Design’s Hall of Fame.
My dear friend Andy Pennington graced us with a jaw-dropping tour of the Porcelanosa Showroom on 5th Avenue. My team was able to see a small sampling of what I saw in 2019 when I visited their eight factories in Spain.
A memorable dinner in The Village deepened relationships with Stacy Garcia and her incredible team while giving us the opportunity to create new relationships with two other design firms.
Even More Highlights
A trip to New York would not be complete without a Broadway show. Experiencing ‘Chicago’ was a treat beyond words. And a trip to BDNY would not be complete without the infamous Samuelson-Majestic-Nourison-Greenbridge-Stone Resource dance party with our besties!
Big News! The JAI team got to walk the BDNY tradeshow with a very special person. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about this mystery guest.
Until Next Year
We thrive when we get out from behind the computer and see what and who is out there. There will always be deadlines and endless amounts of work, but if you don’t make the time to be filled, growth cannot occur.
As we arrived back home from a whirlwind trip, I was filled with overwhelming gratitude for my team, the hospitality design industry, and the caliber of talent I get to create with. BDNY was a time of investment for JAI, and I can safely say that the ROI is worth it! We missed a few office days, but what we gained will continue to inspire us throughout the next year!
