NEW YORK, NY (November 18)- HX: The Hotel Experience—Rooms to Restaurants, formally the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show (IHMRS) made a big splash as it debuted its new brand, mission and overall experience at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, November 8-10, 2015. HX featured 469 exhibitors and 12,000+ registered attendees.
“I remember when I first came to this show and it was such an exciting thing as a college student back then, and the buzz that’s here now feels like a great sense of renewal. There is a whole commitment to the technology piece here that is really quit special and an important part of what’s going on in our industry. To me it’s great to see it renewed and it’s such an exciting environment.” ~Mark Carrier, President, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group
With all new environmental treatment, session areas, speakers, and event highlights, the multi-million dollar renovation made a big impression on lodging and foodservice executives who were in attendance. Featuring areas on the show floor such as HX: Connect, where attendees and exhibitors could sit and meet face-to-face or just re-charge from the busy show floor, and HX: Studio that utilized its space to interview top hospitality industry executives, speakers and exhibitors of the show.
“The refresh that we have seen here with the brightness and well lite areas, the interviews and the seminars made a huge difference this year. We have seen a lot more traffic.” ~Geoff Feingold, Director, National Accounts – Hospitality Division, HD Supply
One of the most popular additions to the show was the HX: Tech area, which included innovative and practical technology products and services, mini tech-education sessions with big takeaways, breakout-sessions about the newest industry technology and hands-on live support for the event’s mobile app. Plus, the tech team hosted the first ever HX: TECHPitch competition, where exhibitors could submit their best technology products. This year socialtables took home the win with its event planning software.
“We have been to shows in Europe, Asia and others in the U.S. and we are seeing our ROI so far increased by 3X compared to other shows.” ~Christos Perakis, Co-Founder & CEO, Zoottle
Many awards were also presented throughout the Show that including Foodservice Pioneering Concept winner, Bienvenu, by Architectural firm Bruner/Cott, Cambridge, MA, and foodservice design and consulting firm Colburn & Guyette, Rockland, MA.
Editor’s Choice Awards for best new products went to, Rooms Division: Hotel Signs, Technology: Verdant Technologies, Food & Beverage: Cardinal International, Kitchen Design: Evo Inc., Guest Services: Aquarius Brands and Best in Show: Cardinal International.
And the third annual Tabletop Challenge winners were Kendall Fleisher from the design firm Stonehill Taylor and Adam Foti, chef at Schenectady County Community College. The winning designs incorporated products from sponsor companies such as EveryWare Global, Steelite International, VerTerra Dinnerware and MADHOUSE by Michael Aram.
Save the date and see what HX has in store for 2016, its second edition at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, November 13-15, 2016. For more information, please visit the website at www.thehotelexperience.us
