One Year After Katrina, Market Challenges Remain

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 10/1/2006

height="197" vspace="3" border="0" /> Former NYC Mayor Giuliani

NEW YORK Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will talk to top managers about principles of leadership at the 2006 Hospitality Leadership Forum, a pre-show conference for the 91st annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). Giuliani’s keynote address will include his thoughts on the challenges of leading one of the most complicated and diverse cities in the world. Additional presentations from high profile industry leaders, including CEO panel, will round out the forum, which will cover the hospitality business climate, strategies and future trends, along with other key issues.

Following the full day of educational programming, new products, new ideas and new inspiration will highlight the 2006 International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show, taking place November 12-14 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The show will offer an expanded technology sector this year, featuring the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ Guestroom 2010 display and nearly 200 technology exhibitors, adding appeal for hoteliers seeking the latest innovations. Guestroom 2010 is a prototype hotel room featuring new and near-future technologies, ranging from high-definition artwork that transforms to match guests’ moods to a self-cleaning shower. For those more interested in food & beverage, co-location with three foodservice shows (All Asia Food Expo, Expo Comida Latina and Kosherfest) will complement the more than 600 culinary exhibitors presenting a wide array of specialty food products and equipment.

Design highlights at the show will include an enhanced Luxury Product Collection and a new Gold Key Supplier Showcase of furniture, fixtures and equipment resources from 2006 Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design finalist properties. Finalists and winners in eight categories will be recognized at an awards breakfast on November 13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where co-sponsors HOTELS and Interior Design magazines will present the Designer of the Year award to David Rockwell. The Gold Key Awards categories are: restaurants—casual and fine dining—lounge/bar, lobby/reception area, guestroom, suites, spa, and best overall hotel design.

Another set of awards of note will be the Editors’ Choice Awards, spotlighting the best new products at the show. Editors from hospitality and culinary trade publications, including HOTELS, will review submissions and select outstanding new products based on innovative design, how a product answers a particular industry need, creative use of material or construction, and development or use of a new technology. Awards will be presented in six categories—décor, essentials, flavors, luxury, restaurant and technology, as well as the best-of-show award—with winners announced during the opening ceremony on November 12.

Finally, do not miss the educational platform, featuring 40 sessions addressing topics such as leadership skills, risk management, responding to trends, foodservice equipment and success as a restaurateur. Highlighting the seminar lineup will be several sessions focused on hospitality design, complementing the enhanced design focus on the show floor. In addition, seminars for tech-savvy attendees will provide insight on new hospitality technology and its benefit to the industry.