LAS VEGAS– The 11th annual Hospitality Design Expo and Conference kicked off here May 1 with more than 900 exhibitors and 9,000 attendees, as well as a number of seminar sessions aimed at addressing the many design issues in the hospitality industry. One of the more notable sessions was “How to Meet Hotel Brand Standards— and Owners Expectations.” Moderated by Jenny Ray McCloskey of HVScompass Interior Design, the panel featured Steven Perkins, ForrestPerkins; Phil Keipper, Hilton Hotels Corp.; Larry Carver, Carver & Associates; and Fred Rankin, Interstate Hotels & Resorts. The speakers unanimously agreed the best way to achieve the difficult task of satisfying brand standards and pleasing owners was to assemble a complete, and experienced, design team early in the process. It was also acknowledged by Keipper— and confirmed by the rest of the panel— that brands have become more flexible in terms of the specific products they allow owners to use. The audience at the session was largely made up of designers/architects, as well as a sampling of a few owners and developers.—Dennis Nessler
