Call for Presentations: BDNY 2026
Nov 8-9, 2026 | Javits Center, New York
Are you ready to lead the conversations shaping boutique hospitality’s next chapter?
BDNY is now seeking dynamic speakers, original ideas, and forward-thinking session concepts for our 2026 conference. We’re looking for designers, innovators, strategists, and changemakers with fresh perspectives that will inspire, educate, and engage the boutique hospitality community.
If you’re influencing what’s next in design, experience, or business, this is your opportunity to take the stage and help define the future of boutique hospitality.
What We’re Looking For
At BDNY, we’re shaping a conference program defined by clarity of thought, creative rigor, and meaningful industry impact. We’re seeking sessions that move beyond inspiration alone—offering ideas that are both intellectually engaging and practically relevant to the future of hospitality design.
We welcome submissions that deliver:
Distinct perspectives
Thoughtful viewpoints that challenge convention and expand how we think about design, experience, and operations.
Actionable insight
Clear, grounded takeaways that translate into real-world application across projects, teams, and brands.
Engaging formats
We encourage dynamic approaches to storytelling and exchange—including TED-style talks, immersive workshops, in-depth case studies, moderated conversations, and focused networking sessions.
Session Tracks
BDNY’s programming reflects the evolving landscape of hospitality design in all its complexity and nuance.
From concept development and brand expression to operational strategy, guest experience, and emerging technologies, each track is designed to surface the ideas shaping both today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.
We invite you to explore the tracks below and select the one that best aligns with your submission. If your topic spans multiple areas, choose the most relevant fit—cross-disciplinary thinking is welcome.
Global Hospitality Investment & Development
- Luxury development economics and owner/operator expectations
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration between design, branding, operations, and experience teams
- The evolution of luxury hospitality markets globally
- Mixed-use, branded residences, and hospitality convergence
- Adaptive reuse, conversions, and heritage redevelopment
- The rise of independent boutique brands and soft brands
- Investor expectations around ESG, wellness, and ROI-driven design
- Designing for longevity, flexibility, and operational resilience
Human-Centered Design
- Sustainability, regeneration & climate responsiveness
- Biodiversity, biophilic systems, and ecological integration
- Neuroaesthetics, sensory design, and emotional hospitality
- Wellness beyond the spa: integrated wellbeing ecosystems
- Ritual-driven design and transformative guest experiences
- Hyper-local storytelling, craft, and cultural authenticity
Cultural Intelligence & Community Impact
- Hospitality as cultural platform and social connector
- Collaborating with local artisans, makers, and communities
- Ethical sourcing and indigenous design influence
- Designing for inclusivity, accessibility, and multigenerational guests
- Authentic destination immersion versus performative localization
Emerging Design Directions
- The future of luxury: understated, immersive, and experiential
- Design on the fringe – new, exciting, and “out there” concepts from around the world
- The return of maximalism, layered storytelling, and theatricality
- Bleeding-edge spaces and why they work
Hospitality Typologies in Evolution
- The reinvention of resorts, urban hotels, and lifestyle brands
- Members clubs, social clubs, and community-driven hospitality
- Hybrid hospitality: coworking, wellness, retail, and cultural programming
- The rise of the “third place” and all-day environments
- Outdoor hospitality and nature-integrated guest experiences
- Luxury mobility: cruise, rail, aviation, and experiential travel design
The New Culinary Experience
- Immersive dining and narrative-driven F&B concepts
- Chef-led hospitality brands and culinary destinations
- The evolution of luxury bars, lounges, and nightlife design
- Multi-format dining environments and all-day activation
- Open kitchens, chef’s tables, and experiential food theater
- Farm-to-table, maker-to-market, and locally rooted design ecosystems
- Designing for social media without sacrificing authenticity
Intelligent Hospitality
- AI in design ideation, visualization, and specification
- Smart guestrooms and frictionless guest experiences
- Invisible technology and seamless integration
- Robotics, automation, and operational efficiency
- Data-informed personalization and predictive hospitality
- Digital twins, virtual prototyping, and immersive presentations
The Future Guest Experience
- Luxury for younger travelers and evolving guest expectations
- Mixed reality, immersive media, and experiential storytelling
- Soundscapes, scenting, and responsive environments
- The convergence of physical and digital hospitality
- Hospitality for digital nomads and globally mobile lifestyles
- Cybersecurity, privacy, and ethical guest technology
Specification, Procurement & Craft
- Designing for durability, longevity, and lifecycle value
- Responsible sourcing and transparent supply chains
- Specifying for wellness, acoustics, and indoor air quality
- Product certifications, ESG accountability, and material health
- The return of craftsmanship and bespoke fabrication
- Collaborating with artisans and regional makers
- Procurement challenges, logistics, and global sourcing shifts
- Balancing customization with operational scalability