Join Lodging Econometrics (LE) for its latest outlook on U.S. hotel development and what it means for the design community. LE will share forecasts for new hotel openings through 2027, along with an update on projects under construction, starting soon, and in early planning. The session also covers renovation and conversion activity, plus recent hotel sales transactions and how ownership changes lead to new renovation and rebranding work. You'll learn which chain scales and markets are leading growth, where design and procurement opportunities are building, and how to time your outreach to win the work.

The most memorable hospitality experiences do more than provide a place to stay. They create a sense of belonging, inspire discovery, and connect guests to the peole, culture, and stories that make a destination unique. Using One Night Only as a case study, leaders from IHG Hotels & Resorts and Crème explore the collaborative journey behind transforming three distinct lifestyle brands, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and Ruby, into a single immersive experience. From the evolution of the concept itself to the cultural inspiration, creative partnership, and strategic thinking behind it, this conversation examines how hospitality can create places that feel alive, meaningful, and deeply connected to the communities they serve. At a time when great design is increasingly expected, the discussion explores a bigger idea: that the greatest offering of lifestyle hospitality is access. Access to neighborhoods, culture, connection, discovery, and a sense of belonging.

Restaurant Development + Design will be hosting tours of select booths that feature restaurant and hospitality products during BDNY 2026. First, the group will meet at Dine & Design, Booth #673 where Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Kilbreath will share a brief presentation on the pulse of the restaurant industry. Then Marketing Director, Kevin Poch, will take you to meet with representatives at various booths for exclusive information. For more information please visit the rd+d site here.

The economics of hospitality development today demand faster-than-ever project delivery to offset rising construction costs, expensive borrowed capital, and deferred operating revenue. Traditional sequential project delivery methods are increasingly unable to meet the speed and flexibility required in today’s market. Featuring perspectives from ownership, procurement, design, and manufacturing, this panel explores accelerated project delivery strategies that challenge the conventional procurement and execution model to compress timelines by months rather than weeks. Panelists will discuss how overlapping procurement, design, fabrication, and decision-making workflows can accelerate delivery while maintaining design intent, operational alignment, and guest experience objectives. Through real-world case studies, including recently completed hospitality projects, the conversation will examine when these strategies are most effective, the measurable impacts they can create, and the operational and financial risks they may introduce. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how collaborative, fast-track delivery methodologies are reshaping hospitality development — and how teams can implement them successfully in their own projects.

Sustainability in hospitality has evolved far beyond energy-efficient lighting and recycled materials. Today, environmental responsibility intersects with brand strategy, asset value, capital investment, design, operations, staff retention and guest experience. This panel brings together perspectives from key stakeholders from the hospitality community to explore how sustainability influences the way hotels are conceived, financed, renovated, operated, and ultimately valued. From adaptive reuse and resilient design to energy performance, material selection, water conservation, and measurable ESG goals, the discussion will examine what is truly moving the industry forward and how stakeholders can be influenced to do more.  Most importantly, the panel will explore: How do we make sustainable hospitality both achievable and financially compelling?

Relish is an immersive hospitality experience that reimagines the conference lounge as an intimate supper club—an inviting destination where exceptional design, thoughtful conversation, and crafted cocktails come together with intention. Rich wood detailing, sumptuous velvet upholstery, and layers of tactile materials create a warm, enveloping atmosphere that evokes the timeless elegance of a bygone era while offering a welcome respite from the pace of the show floor. Whether settling in for a panel discussion, an impromptu networking meeting, or a quiet moment of reflection, guests are encouraged to linger, reconnect, and savor each experience. Designed as a celebration of craftsmanship and human connection, Relish transforms a simple pause into a memorable ritual, reminding visitors that the most enduring moments are those that are shared, discovered, and truly relished.

The Avenue ID team takes us behind the scenes of The Gilded Dare, exploring how the opulence of the Gilded Age was reimagined through a contemporary, playful lens. From unexpected materials and finishes to layered patterns, bold forms and ornate detailing, discover the creative decisions, design challenges and moments of inspiration that brought the Ennismore space to life. An inside look at the art of balancing old-world grandeur with modern sensibilities, and embracing a more-is-more philosophy where every material, object and detail has a role to play.

In today’s hospitality landscape, the most successful projects aren’t simply the result of brilliant design or deep pockets. They emerge from the often complicated relationship between owner, designer, and procurement. Join moderators from top ISHP procurement firms and owner panelists from leading brands across the globe for a candid discussion on what really happens behind the scenes, shared openly and in their own words. Stay for the open forum and meet-and-greet, where the conversation continues and your questions take the floor.

In this candid fireside chat, Marcel Wanders sits down with Alissa Ponchione, Editor-in-Chief of Boutique Design, to discuss the man behind the practice—from his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons that shaped him to the projects he is most proud of and his vision for the future. He’ll share his passion for creative freedom, his resistance to following trends, and his hopes for the next generation of designers, offering his perspective on building a creative life and practice on your own terms.

As project budgets tighten across the hospitality industry, designers are being challenged to rethink how impactful spaces are created. This panel brings together creative leaders to discuss how thoughtful design strategy, material ingenuity, and focused investment can produce memorable guest experiences without excessive spending. From identifying high impact moments to balancing aesthetics with operational realities, the conversation will explore how limitations can sharpen creativity and lead to smarter, more meaningful design outcomes.