EAST SETAUKET, NY and SMITHTOWN, NY—The new industry trade show called HI Connect Design—which was launched in October by Hotel Interactive and will be covered in print exclusively by HOTEL BUSINESS®—continues to gain momentum as its official debut draws closer.
Scheduled to take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN, from March 21-23, 2012, the show will offer an opportunity for attendees to interact with real environments or “vignettes,” and the early returns are further evidence that the event is poised for success, according to Rich Viola, president and CEO of Hotel Interactive, Inc., producer of HI Connect Design.
“To say that our industry has embraced the concept of HI Connect Design would be an understatement. Both hoteliers and suppliers keep telling us that the buzz about HI Connect Design is significantly more than we realized or expected,” he said.
Viola further added that the construction of the vignettes is in full swing and they are filling up with a great variety of the industry’s best manufacturers’ products.
HI Connect Design will feature more than 150,000 sq. ft. of fully constructed vignettes, which will be completely functional.
Viola noted that entire brand teams are planning to attend the event from companies such as Walt Disney, Four Seasons and Best Western, and he is expecting significant representation from many of the other major brands as well.
Jay Schultz, senior VP, Hospitality Group, ICD Publications, parent company of Hotel Business—the exclusive print media sponsor—underscored the initial industry response as well.
“The enthusiasm shown by prospective attendees and exhibitors has been enthusiastic to say the least,” he said. “The unique nature of the event has truly captured the imagination of the marketplace.”
According to Eric Dortch, CEO of IWorks—which just committed to exhibiting at the event—it’s a long time coming. “We’ve been wanting a different trade show format for the last 20 years. Finally, HI Connect is an event that will showcase a real-time hospitality setting where all tiers of our industry will be able to interact both on a business and a social level.”
