Detailed Feedback
The second HI DESIGN ASIA took place on 10th – 12th November 2010 at Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu.
169 senior position delegates attended HI DESIGN ASIA 2010 – 21% growth on 2009.
Attendee Profile
Buyers
Interior Architects, Interior Designers and Hotel project leaders responsible for hospitality interior design developments across the Asia Pacific Region from architect and interior design practices, hotel owners and operators, and independent purchasing management companies in service around the region.
71 buyer delegates representing 59 companies from 10 countries attended HI DESIGN ASIA 2010.
Suppliers
Manufacturers of a wide spectrum of products and services applicable for hospitality interior specification across more than 33 product categories.
98 supplier delegates representing 61 companies from 21 countries attended HI DESIGN ASIA 2010
Results
Meetings
This year a record 1073 private, face-to-face meetings took place. These were conducted between the buyer and supplier delegates who had pre-selected in advance of the event whom they wished to meet. They also met each other informally through the many networking sessions over the duration of the three days.
Finding meeting times at the office is always pressed, this way, in a relaxed environment, you get quality time- fast and simpleNic Graham - Nic Graham & Associates.
Direct impact on the decision makersNatassha Liao - Kimball
Seminars
The 2010 programme consisted of two sessions on both days and was hosted by Guy Dittrich.
The Asia Pacific Hotel Performance & Pipeline Report
JONAS ÖGREN - AREA DIRECTOR ASIA, STR GLOBAL.
Jonas set the scene for the event by highlighting how many and where exactly the new confirmed hospitality projects are in the Asia Pacific region.
Riding the Wave – F.B.Eye Interrogated!
WARREN FOSTER-BROWN - FOUNDER, F.B.EYE
Recently selected by the editors of Hospitality Design Magazine for their 2009 Wave of the Future Award, the founder of Singapore based F.B.Eye, Warren Foster-Brown, interviewed by Guy Dittrich. The ‘Wave of the Future’ international designers are chosen on the basis of being young enough to be considered visionary, but tested enough to be considered accomplished. Warren shared his ideas and achievements with the HI-Design Asia delegates.
The Sustainability Session - Theory put into practice
PANELISTS DISCUSSION
This session gave the platform to two leading architectural/design practices who demonstrated that ‘talking the talk’ can be followed by ‘walking the walk’. In addition, we introduced the GIGA Foundation: Simple, powerful tools for designing green interiors.
- Saeed Zaki - Managing Director, DW Partnership
- Federico Masin - F&B Design Director, Hirsch Bedner Associates, Hong Kong
- Raefer Wallis - Founder of the GIGA Foundation.
The Operators Panel – what are they looking for?
PANELISTS DISCUSSION
Three leading Hospitality owners/operators with a broad spectrum of contrasting properties between them endeavored to provide some answers.
- Julian Liu - Project Director, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
- Nigel Harris - Senior Vice President, Projects and Product Development, Onyx Hospitality Group
- Brian Diederich - Vice President, Asian Division for Wynn Design and Development
Supplier Showcase
Available throughout the event and in two dedicated sessions each of the 61 supplier delegate companies had tabletop space to present more of their products. Located adjacent to the meetings area, the showcase allows buyers to further browse and experience products as well as provide opportunity for additional meetings outside of the pre-scheduled meetings programme, or to use as support during it.
Often looking at a product on line is a completely different experience when being able to touch and feel the product, examine its quality intimately and intensely. The showcase gave two advantages: 1. To sense the tactile quality of the product and; 2. The surprising delight of discovering something new from a supplier you did not anticipate to meetBarbara Allen - Hospitality & Leisure Asia (HLA)
A perfect opportunity to show the real working product and to meet the buyers who we didn’t have official meetings withHans van Aken - Forest Group
Networking
Breakfasts, lunches, evening functions, excursions and free time periods provided abundant opportunities to network for the benefit of the delegatesʼ business. All delegates attend the Welcome dinner, Cocktail reception and a Farewell dinner on each of the three evenings providing a means for everyone to relax and enjoy networking with their peers in a way simply not possible at traditional trade shows.
The Networking sessions allowed me to establish new supplier contacts and re-establish old ones, as well as to meet with my peers and potential clients from the hotel operating sideLulu Sarmiento - HBA Singapore
The Networking opportunities provided us with an opportunity to reinforce relationships formed at meetings, as well as fostering additional relationshipsFelicia Seignor - Apaiser
Pre-event excursion
An informal group outing to Mount Kinabalu National Park, took place with 34 delegates who attended on the morning of the first day. With a good balance of buyers and suppliers it was a really useful and enjoyable networking warm up for the event.
Facts & Figures
Every year we ask all delegates to tell us about their experience at HI DESIGN ASIA to ensure that we continue to provide a quality, successful event for all those who attend.
93.2% of buyer delegates either strongly agree or agree that HI DESIGN ASIA is an excellent investment of their time.
94.5% of supplier delegates either strongly agree or agree that the HI DESIGN format is more effective for generating business than traditional exhibitions/conferences.
95.6% of all delegates rated the meetings as either excellent or very good.
92.5% of delegates thought the organisation and operations of the event was excellent or very good.
99.6% of delegates strongly agreed HI DESIGN ASIA 2010 was an effective platform for business.
