Kevin Gaffney

ic4hd interviews Kevin Gaffney

IC4HD interviews Kevin Gaffney, HD Expo

ic4hd interviews Kevin Gaffney

IC4HD interviews Kevin Gaffney, Vice President and Group Show Director at Emerald, who shares his thoughts and impressions about the 2021 edition of Hospitality Design Expo 2021.

HD Expo + Conference is the largest hospitality event of its kind in the country, showcasing the latest products, services, and innovative developments from the industry’s leading manufacturers.

How is your impression about the industry you’ve met at HD Expo?

The industry was so excited to be back in person and see products up close and personal. The attendees that came to the show were very high-level decision-makers who were very keen on seeing new products and reconnecting with colleagues.

 

What are the main innovations this COVID pandemic has brought to the industry?

Honesty and transparency are needed in business, with product delays a current issue, expectations need to be set upfront at initial product request stage because there are many things out of manufacturing control. There is also a need for potential new products to accommodate Covid related model adjustments.

 

Can you already give us some anticipations about HD Expo 22? Any special feature to be introduced?

We will be back to three halls and look forward to having more companies back in the show with us in April. We will continue the features we added to HD 2021. We will also be launching a new matchmaking program that exhibitors can opt-in for a small sponsorship fee. Each sponsor will be guaranteed a number of face to face meetings with high-level decision-makers.

 

Can you tell us something about EFA and HCD Expo?

While both EFA and HCD were smaller in 2021 due to Covid, both events were well attended and the feedback from exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive. EFA 2022 will take place April 2-5 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; HCD 2022 will take place October 8-11 in San Antonio, Texas

 

Italian Contract 4 Hospitality Design coordinates the participation of Italian companies and institutions to international events for hospitality and contract design like HD Expo, EFA Expo + Conference and Healthcare Design Expo. Contact us at contract@lanariassociates.com to find out more about our services and read the series of IC4HD interviews.

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Kevin Gaffney

IC4HD intervista Kevin Gaffney, EmeraldX Group Show Director

Kevin Gaffney

Kevin Gaffney, Vice President & Group Show Director di EmeraldX, ha condiviso nell’esclusiva intervista rilasciata a IC4HD la sua visione positiva sulla situazione dell’industria e sullo svolgimento di Hospitality Design Expo+Conference il 24 e 25 agosto prossimi a Las Vegas.

Qual è il suo punto di vista sul settore hospitality al momento?

Con la campagna di vaccinazione che sta procedendo, si percepisce un forte ottimismo. Questo ci dà molta fiducia sul fatto che HD Expo ad agosto avrà un buon esito.

 

Eventi in presenza vs eventi virtuali: quali sono le sfide e le opportunità di queste due possibilità?

Il nostro focus per quanto riguarda il virtuale è stato quello di offrire contenuti informativi ed educativi, che sono stati recepiti con molto favore. Ma il nostro pubblico non vede l’ora di tornare in presenza. Quando pensiamo a HD Expo ad agosto, non pensiamo a una fiera virtuale ma a un evento fisico.

 

Aziende e professionisti vedono con favore il ritorno a manifestazioni in presenza per il 2021?

Sì, l’industria non vede l’ora di tornare a incontrarsi. Ogni azienda dovrà capire internamente come organizzarsi al meglio, ma noi stiamo approntando dei protocolli di igiene per garantire ai partecipanti comfort e sicurezza. EmeraldX sta sviluppando un piano specifico per ogni evento e in particolare per HD Expo sta lavorando in sinergia con le autorità di Las Vegas e con il Mandalay Bay Convention Center per fare in modo che tutto si svolga nella massima sicurezza e che espositori e visitatori possano concentrarsi unicamente sulle opportunità di business.

 

Vede dei punti in comune tra i nuovi trend di hospitality ed healthcare design?

Certamente, direi che c’è un crossover tra i due settori. Gli hotel hanno dovuto implementare nuovi standard per la pulizia e il ricircolo dell’aria e per farlo si sono ispirati ai protocolli già in vigore nell’healthcare (addirittura Hilton ha lavorato in partnership con Mayo Clinic). Per converso, molte strutture sanitarie si stanno rivolgendo a designer specializzati nel comparto hospitality per rendere le cliniche più ospitali, soprattutto per quanto riguarda sale d’attesa, ristoranti, spazi collettivi. Allo stesso tempo, negli USA si stanno diffondendo a gran velocità nuovi wellness club, che colmano il divario tra medicina di prevenzione e SPA.

 

 

Italian Contract 4 Hospitality Design mette in contatto le aziende italiane con i professionisti del contract negli USA, sia del settore hospitality sia di quello healthcare. In partnership con EmeraldX, organizza la partecipazione a Hospitality Design Expo+Conference (Las Vegas, NV, 24-25 Agosto 2021) e a HealthCare Design Expo+Conference (Cleveland, OH, 23-26 Ottobre 2021). Contattateci per maggiori informazioni sulle modalità di adesione!

in Interviews / NEWS
Kevin Gaffney

IC4HD interviews: Kevin Gaffney, EmeraldX Group Show Director

Kevin Gaffney

Kevin Gaffney, Vice President and Group Show Director at EmeraldX, has a quite optimistic vision towards the Hospitality Design Expo+Conference to be held on August 24 and 25, 2021 at Mandalaty Bay, Las Vegas (NV). He has released an exclusive interview to IC4HD talking about his pulse on the industry.

What is your pulse on the hospitality design industry at the moment?

With the vaccine now rolling out there is a keen sense of optimism that we have not seen as strongly before now. It gives us great hope for staging a great HD Expo event in August.

 

In presence vs virtual events: what are your feelings about the opportunities of these different ways?

Our virtual focus has been on educational content delivery which has been well received, however our audience is eager to return to live opportunities. A virtual tradeshows is not something we would focus on for HD Expo and are planning for a return to a live tradeshow in August.

 

Are companies and architectural firms inclined to come back and meet to live expos and conferences for 2021?

Yes, our audience is very eager to come together. Each company will have to determine internally what works for them however we will have extensive health & safety protocols in place to ensure our attendees comfort and safety. EmeraldX is rolling out a comprehensive safety plan for each show and we will work in concert with Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay Convention Center to make sure it’s safe to allow our exhibitors and audience to focus on getting back to business.

 

Is there any common point between hospitality and healthcare industry new trends?

There is definitely a crossover between hospitality and healthcare. Hotels have had to implement new levels of cleaning and air filtration that they never had before, and as a result, many hotels looked to healthcare protocols for inspiration (and Hilton even partnered with the Mayo Clinic). Many healthcare facilities are looking to hospitality designers to make hospitals more hospitable, in terms of lounges, restaurants, public spaces. And at the same time, many new wellness clubs and concepts are popping up across the country, which bridge the gap between preventive medicine and spas.

 

 

Italian Contract 4 Hospitality Design coordinates the participation of Italian companies and institutions to international events for hospitality and contract design. Discover where to meet us and read the series of IC4HD interviews

in BLOG / Interviews