This past spring, I attended Hospitality Design Summit, an invitation-only gathering of senior-level hospitality industry designers and executives that serves as the industry’s leadership think tank…several have called it a “thought camp” and that fits it perfectly.
Sponsored by Hospitality Design Magazine, this year marked the 15th year of the Summit that brought owners, operators, purchasing agents, interior designers and architects involved in the design of hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships, country clubs, night clubs, conference centers, spas and other hospitality-oriented projects to the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island.
Guest speakers not affiliated with the hospitality industry, shared insights that facilitated fresh thinking and new sources of inspiration. The Hospitality Design Summit is designed to sharpen the leadership skills executives need daily-and to provide the big ideas needed to stay ahead of the competition.
Thru tears, laughter and some frightened gasps as each speaker shared their life’s work, I found myself reflecting on my work and contributions.
Doc Hendley spoke about a Charity he created, “Wine to Water”, where he found his life’s calling in his darkest moments to start a charity to raise money to bring clean water to impoverished places like Haiti and northern Africa. Hendley realized that just by using his ability to tend bar and create relationships with people, he might be able to help the problem. At the bars where he worked, he started raising money to fight this water epidemic the best way he knew how, by pouring wine and playing music. Today Hendley’s “Wine to Water” foundation aims to help the 1.1 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean water. By using wine events to raise money and awareness about the lack of clean drinking water in the developing world, Doc Hendley has harnessed a powerful social force and multiplied the generosity of many.
Futurist Rohit Talwar, spoke about the enormous growth of the hospitality industry in Asia and its impact on the industry around the world. I was fascinated and thrilled by his thoughts regarding advances in Artificial Intelligence, the future of Robotics, and the potential demise of the human work force.
Thru tears, laughter and some frightened gasps as each speaker shared their life’s work, I found myself reflecting on my work and contributions.
With MGA&D I’ve had the opportunity to work all over the world, most recently on The St. Regis Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with over 30 people in our office to create this new 6-star hotel and residence. I also had the opportunity to work on this custom project with many familiar brands such as Maya Romanoff, Swarovski, Stark, Sacco Carpet, Alger Triton, Inlight and Distinction Hospitality, plus Egyptian artisans like Randa Fahmy and ElCir creating site specific finishes, lighting, inlay pearl woodwork and furniture to create a one of kind environment for the new hotel.
Maya Romanoff created custom shimmering hand painted wall covering panels with tonal gold leaf Papyrus Flower for each guestroom
The design and construction of this project allowed me to meet and work with hundreds of artisans from around the world. Each brought their unique talent and creativity to the project. With Swarovski in Innsbruck Austria, we created a 30-foot long, 15-foot wide grand staircase that features a 30-foot cascade of hand crafted crystals. Maya Romanoff created a custom shimmering hand painted wall covering panels with tonal gold leaf Papyrus Flower for each guestroom, and Alger Triton and Randa Fahmy designed fantastic brass lanterns and chandeliers including the same Swarovski elements for the arrival and banquet spaces.
We were able to give heart and soul to this project, support the local community and continue the refinement of local crafts that define a culture
Through these collaborations we were able to give heart and soul to this project, support the local community and continue the refinement of local crafts that define a culture, resulting in a unique brand for the St. Regis.
This is why I am an interior designer: to be a part of this human experience of creating an environment hand-in-hand with craftsman, builders and designers around the world. The Summit helped me realize that everyone has the opportunity to share their culture with others. I happen to do it through design.