IIDA’S CHERYL DURST TO KEYNOTE AND JOIN ESTEEMED PANELISTS FOR “BOUTIQUE DESIGN POWER PLAYERS: WOMEN LEADERS IN HOSPITALITY BREAKFAST AND PANEL DISCUSSION” AT BDNY

Signature event features thought leaders from companies at the forefront of hospitality design, investment, operations and manufacturing, presented in partnership with NEWH at the seventh annual Boutique Design New York trade fair and conference, Nov. 13-14

Cheryl Durst, executive vice president/ceo, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), will join other visionaries in the hospitality design community at the “Boutique Design Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast and Panel Discussion,” Monday, Nov. 14, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Durst will also keynote the event, which kicks off day two of the Boutique Design New York (BDNY) trade fair and conference. Held concurrently with HX: The Hotel Experience (formerly IHMRS), the BDNY trade fair combines inventive elements for hospitality interiors with signature educational and social events, unique Designed Spaces created by leading hospitality design firms, and an extensive conference program.

Presented in partnership with NEWH (the Hospitality Industry Network), the Women Leaders panel features female thought leaders in hospitality design, investment, operations and product manufacturing—giving attendees a broader perspective on today’s hotel development market as well as more informed strategies for success.

Mary Scoviak, executive editor, Boutique Design, and conference director, Hospitality Media Group (HMG), will moderate the Women Leaders panel discussion. Panelists for 2016 include:

Anda Andrei, principal, Anda Andrei Design

Heather Balsely, senior vice president, Americas brands, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Cheryl Durst, executive vice president/ceo, IIDA

Frances Kiradjian, founder, Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA)

Danette Opaczewski, director of development, Sydell Group

Jagruti Panwala, president/ceo, wealth protection strategies, AAHOA secretary 2016-2017, AAHOA female director at large Eastern Region

Margie Ruddick, owner, Margie Ruddick Landscape

Michelle Wildenhaus, principal, Studio Twist

“This signature Boutique Design event brings together women thought leaders from all sectors of the hospitality design community,” said Scoviak. “It’s a unique opportunity to hear their vision of the trends, issues and challenges designers need to address in order to succeed in 2017 and beyond.”

In addition, NEWH will award its $5,000 NEWH Women Leaders Scholarship, sponsored by Hospitality Media Group (HMG), at the Women Leaders breakfast. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college and have completed half the requirements for an undergraduate hospitality management degree, or be currently enrolled in a graduate program. Applicants must be pursuing a career objective in hospitality management, show financial need and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The winner is selected by the NEWH Scholarship Committee.

The Women Leaders event is one of 35+ panel discussions, design-firm Q&As and CEU sessions on the two-day BDNY conference agenda. Other Boutique Design signature sessions include the “ISHP/Boutique Design Owners’ Grill” with leading hoteliers and investors; “Up-and-Coming Hoteliers” with innovators in the lifestyle sector; and “Brand Central” with masterminds behind emerging hotel brands.

Event tickets and sessions can be purchased here through registration.