NEWH - Fall 2012 - (Page 64)

Partner Pro les Product-wise, Fabric Innovations has launched a new line of specialty blackouts—in suede, taffeta, and super satin—as well as a collection of custom printed bed runners. Its quality offerings have led to the company being awarded the Heavenly Bed top-of-the-bed program for Westin. “This is a huge pro le program and establishes Fabric Innovations as a brand white bedding provider of the highest quality in the industry,” explains Deborah Herman, president, Fabric Innovations. The company has experienced growth during the downturn, she says, through working harder, saving money, and putting more sales people in the eld, and now, has expanded globally, with sourcing of ces in three countries and counting. “The biggest challenge today in the industry is delivery time and good product,” explains Herman. “We have worked the last three years to establish specialty product that we can deliver fast and ef ciently. All our products are design-driven and ready for the demand that will be upon us sometime next year.” As for NEWH: “Fabric Innovations and Virginia Quilting Commercial (our drapery manufacturing line) love NEWH. We make new friends, we participate in amazing events, and we get to hear the pulse of the industry through networking events. We feel NEWH is the strongest connecting organization in hospitality and we love to be a part of it.” In September, Karndean Design ooring will be updating its Art Select Wood collection, expanding it from 13 products to 22. Two of the current designs are being phased out, and the company is adding 11 new ones: two hand scraped colors/designs, three “cherry” colors, two parquet designs, and four designs that are unlike anything else in the LVT segment—random size plank designs inspired by those found in nature. In addition, the company has launched its new online room visualizer tool, Floorstyle, which gives users the option to view products in various room settings and in various design strips and laying patterns. “This is a great way for website visitors to get a realistic idea of how Karndean will look without ever leaving the couch. Another great aspect is that they can share their creations on Facebook or Twitter, save the link for later, print the layout, and also email their designs to a friend or even their local retailer,” explains Michael Lang, Karndean’s senior marketing manager. He continues, “The best thing about this year has been our successful launch of an update to our award-winning Van Gogh collection in January, and the launch of our newly redesigned website, which went live in March. We are most looking forward to our launch of the aforementioned Art Select Wood product line. For him, NEWH is all about “networking, networking, networking. Not only does NEWH provide Karndean Design ooring with the opportunity to network with speci ers, architects, and designers, many of the individual members t the pro le of our consumer target market segment, so, when we attend NEWH events, we’re actually interacting with two of our markets at the same time.” For the first time since 2007, the Hospitality Design (HD) Group held its first HD Asia event. More than 150 people gathered at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong to hear a stellar lineup of speakers, which included keynoters Tony Chi, tonychi and associates, and Andre Fu, AFSO. “I am proud of the fact that we have maintained and even reinvested in our events in order to keep them (and improve them) at the caliber that this industry deserves,” says Elizabeth Sommerville, the HD Group’s show director, who says she looks forward to expanding HD Asia next year. “We are not just another tradeshow— we are the ultimate connector to the hospitality market and that makes me very proud. We are also taking the brand abroad, London [with CitySCENE], Hong Kong, and soon India.” Diversi cation in this economy has proven key. “We have certainly found that the last few years have been tough for our customers. I think hospitality is a very special community that helps each other. I have found that having an open mind to make changes in a down economy has enabled us to survive.” Another exciting milestone for 2012: attendance at the Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) in Las Vegas increased by 10 percent, what Sommerville calls “a wonderful sign that things are starting to come back and that is the best news for this year so far.” Next, Sommerville is looking forward to HD Boutique in September “as we are investing heavily in marketing to the Latin American/Caribbean audience and I anticipate a large increase in this sector at the event,” she says. As for NEWH, “I believe in NEWH with all my heart. The organization itself is run by such wonderful, caring people who are willing to donate their time and efforts in order to be a part of an organization that helps people become a part of our industry. NEWH allows me to spend quality time with my industry peers and we are happy to be a supporting corporate sponsor.” 64 www.newh.org Following the successful 2011 launch of Elance chaise lounges at the 2012 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo), Tropitone launched the addition of chairs, bar stools, and spa chairs to the group. Each model is available in an aluminum frame with all 18 powder coat nishes and options of EZ Span, relaxed sling, duplex sling, and padded sling. The company also expanded the Cabana Club group with a stacking chaise lounge; added Sunbrella sheer curtains to the Basta Sole Cabanas with aluminum frames; and extended the URComfort seat adjustment system to Lakeside and Montreux spa chairs in sling, duplex sling, or padded sling. Tropitone also launched a new brand, MODA, with Toulon being the rst product offering with 13 models: dining chair, chat chair, lounge chair, love seat, square corner module, center module, right two seater module, chaise lounge, square ottoman, lounger with shade, lounger ottoman, coffee table, and end table. Says Tanya Stevens, vice president of marketing and service operations, Tropitone: “MODA will offer distinctive fashion solutions for special spaces. All products will have re ned designs and meticulous workmanship. The brand personality will be elegant, gracious, and sophisticated.” As for NEWH, John Mattson, Tropitone’s vice president of sales and business development says: “NEWH offers ideal networking for Tropitone, helps facilitate your chances to be involved with many hospitality professionals in your area, and offers hospitality companies an opportunity to give back to the design community and educational facilities across the U.S.” 〉〉〉 http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Fall 2012

NEWH - Fall 2012
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Sustainability: Conference Recap
Design 101
Icon of Industry
Q&A: Christine Wasmer
Q&A: Rich Gesteland
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
American Atelier
Project: Scarpetta Dining Pavilion
Project: St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Ad Index

NEWH - Fall 2012