Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the premier curated trade fair and conference dedicated exclusively to boutique hotel design, has officially announced its upcoming dates for the 2026 edition. The highly anticipated event will take place from November 8 to November 9, 2026, transforming the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City into a vibrant epicenter for the hospitality design community. Over the course of two dynamic days, the fair will bring together industry leaders, creative visionaries, and prominent brands for a showcase featuring standout exhibits, immersive Designed Spaces, and the forward-thinking ideas that are actively advancing boutique and lifestyle hospitality.
Year after year, BDNY injects a distinct and refreshing energy into New York City’s design calendar. It serves as a launchpad for brands making their market debuts, a showcase for tactile spaces specifically built to be physically experienced rather than merely observed, and a forum for the diverse perspectives of the people driving the hospitality sector forward. For the 2026 installment, more than 700 exhibiting brands are expected to present an expansive array of cutting-edge products, materials, and concepts. These offerings will cater to a wide spectrum of projects, ranging from independent boutique hotels and independent restaurants to sprawling global lifestyle and luxury brands.
Designed to Be Remembered
Under the overarching theme "Designed to Be Remembered," BDNY 2026 will direct its focus toward the intricate details, high-performance materials, and fleeting yet profound moments that combine to make a physical space truly unforgettable. Across the bustling show floor, attendees will encounter fresh product introductions from both seasoned manufacturers and first-time exhibitors. They will have the opportunity to walk through fully realized settings built to be lived in, and they can engage in direct conversations with the designers and brands responsible for shaping some of the most distinctive hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle spaces operating today.
"Memorable hospitality is built through thousands of decisions, from the products designers specify to the ideas and experiences that influence their thinking," said Kevin Gaffney, senior vice president and general manager at Forge. "Our goal is for people to carry what they discover at BDNY into their work and ultimately into the guest experience, long after the show ends."
Designed for Discovery
A core pillar of the BDNY experience is the continuous introduction of fresh talent and novel perspectives to the North American market. For the 2026 event, more than 100 first-time exhibitors will step onto the show floor to introduce their latest collections tailored specifically for the hospitality sector. Among this year’s notable newcomers are AP Collection, coEco Panels, Frankford Umbrellas, Natuzzi, and Sixinch Americas. Together, these pioneering companies span a diverse array of specialties, including sustainable building products, innovative manufacturing technologies, hand-made seating solutions, and custom indoor and outdoor furniture designed to withstand the rigorous demands of commercial hospitality environments.
Complementing the traditional exhibition booths are BDNY’s signature Designed Spaces, which consistently transform portions of the show floor into fully built-out, functional hospitality environments. These installations give attendees a rare opportunity to see exhibitor and sponsor products brought to life within cohesive narrative settings. The 2026 program features exciting creative collaborations between Ennismore and Avenue ID, IHG Hotels & Resorts paired with Crème Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design, and an independent installation by Preen Inc.
Each of these spaces offers a distinctly individual take on the concept of hospitality, exploring everything from foundational design concepts and materiality to the subtle details that dictate how a space inherently feels and functions for the end user.
One prominent installation on the floor is titled "One Night Only," a collaboration between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Crème Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design, located at Booth 255. Inspired by the legendary energy of New York City’s nightlife, One Night Only brings together the distinct brand personalities of Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and Ruby Hotels into an immersive, shared setting that explicitly celebrates design, compelling storytelling, and human connection.
Nearby at Booth 1873, attendees can explore "The Gilded Dare," created by Ennismore in partnership with Avenue ID. Drawing heavy inspiration from the unapologetic opulence and grandeur of an old-world Manhattan penthouse, The Gilded Dare reinterprets Gilded Age glamour through the lens of unexpected materials, contemporary structural forms, ornate details, and a playful, "more-is-more" approach to modern luxury.
Rounding out the trio of major installations is "The Unkindness of Ravens" by Preen Inc., located at Booth 3119. Dark, curious, and possessing a slightly wild aesthetic, this installation establishes a richly layered gathering place. It draws conceptual inspiration from the cooperative nature of ravens, translating those behavioral traits into a physical environment that honors the creativity, camaraderie, and deep connections found within the hospitality industry.
The integration of food and beverage design remains a vital component of the event through the reimagined "Dine & Design" destination. Titled "Relish" and designed by //3877, the Dine & Design Café at Booth 673 serves as the primary hub for front-of-house restaurant and bar design. For 2026, Relish transforms the traditional conference lounge into a fully functional café space, providing attendees with a comfortable environment to gather over lunch or coffee while simultaneously participating in inspiring conference sessions scheduled throughout the show. Enveloped in rich woods, sumptuous velvets, and tactile, high-end materials, the café is deliberately designed to be experienced firsthand, allowing professionals to evaluate materials in a real-world setting.
Meanwhile, the BDNY Main Stage, envisioned and designed by Beth Bloom Designs, transports guests into a serene coastal escape. Featuring lush botanicals, a calm sand-and-shell color palette, and relaxed lounge areas, the stage evokes effortless resort living executed with the sophisticated polish of a major industry event. Treating the stage design much like a commercial food and beverage concept, the studio collaborated closely with various vendor sponsors to curate every individual element into a cohesive, sophisticated expression of Coastal Chic design.
Reinforcing its reputation as a truly international event, BDNY continues to provide a global perspective on hospitality design, effectively bridging the gap between the North American market and premier manufacturers and designers from across the globe. For the 2026 edition, exhibitors hailing from more than 55 countries will participate, representing design hubs in nations such as Croatia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Portugal, and Spain. Significantly expanding the show’s international footprint, both Korea and Norway will host dedicated country pavilions for the very first time, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity to discover innovative products originating directly from these vibrant design communities.
Ideas Worth Gathering Around
To ensure the educational content remains at the absolute forefront of industry trends, BDNY tapped "The Curators" for 2026—a collective of influential professionals shaping some of today’s most widely discussed hospitality projects—to help guide the comprehensive conference program. Over the course of two days, panel discussions and keynote conversations will critically examine the shifting business models, aesthetic trends, and cultural movements altering how hospitality spaces are conceived, created, and experienced by the public.
The distinguished group of 2026 Curators features Heather Ciszczon of CoralTree Hospitality; Mark Eacott of Ennismore; Paolo Ferrari of Studio Paolo Ferrari; Jason Goldberg of Brick House Atelier; Brittney Hepler of Choice Hotels International; Alison Medina of Hospitality Design; Lori Mukoyama of Gensler; Susan Nugraha of Tao Group Hospitality; Áine O’Connor of AOC Purchasing; Alissa Ponchione of Boutique Design and Hospitality Design; Julie Purpura of Avenir Creative; Krystel Sam of Hilton; Archit Sawhney of Harken Interiors; David Shove-Brown of //3877; Louie Sison of Hospitality Leader; Larry Traxler of TraxWorks Hospitality Collective; and Chantell Walsh of Strategic Hotels & Resorts.
A central highlight of the educational and networking programming is the annual BDNY Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast. Presented in partnership with NEWH, this special event brings together prominent leaders spanning design, operational management, investment, and manufacturing for a candid, open conversation regarding the driving forces currently influencing the industry landscape.
The 2026 Power Players panel features Alison Bowman Sobeck of Marriott; Sarah Dusek of Few & Far; Mika Larrison of Lightstone Group; Kiko Singh of DLR Group and BraytonHughes; Jaclyn Moser of Harken Interiors; Susan Nugraha of Tao Group Hospitality; Áine O’Connor of AOC Purchasing; and Davonne Reaves of the Vonne Group. The discussion will be expertly moderated by Alissa Ponchione, editor in chief of Boutique Design and Hospitality Design.
"BDNY offers the rare opportunity to bring the hospitality design community together in one place for a weekend chock-full of inspiration," said Ponchione. "There’s a real sense of discovery on the show floor and beyond, from seeing new products and experiencing spaces in a different way to connecting with the people and ideas shaping the future of the industry. I can’t wait to see how it all comes to life in New York."
Moments That Define BDNY Week
The influence of BDNY regularly extends far beyond the physical confines of the Javits Center show floor, anchoring a broader week of celebrations dedicated to hospitality design excellence and the exceptional people behind the work.
Kicking off the festivities, the 37th-annual Platinum Circle Awards Gala is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 6, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Hosted annually by Hospitality Design magazine, the prestigious evening event honors industry luminaries whose lifelong careers and creative contributions have left a permanent, transformative impact on the world of hospitality design. The esteemed class of 2026 honorees includes David Ashen, CEO of Saguez & Dash; Verena Haller, global head of design and creative services for Hyatt Lifestyle Group; Mary Alice Palmer, global creative director and founding principal of ROAM Interior Design; and celebrated chef and restaurateur Missy Robbins.
The week-long series of events culminates with the 46th-annual Gold Key Awards, presented by Boutique Design. Taking place on November 9 at Cipriani 42nd Street, the gala closes out the BDNY exhibition by celebrating outstanding achievement in hospitality design from projects located around the world. The ceremony will unveil winners across 24 distinct categories encompassing luxury, upscale, and midscale hospitality developments. Furthermore, the evening will bestow honors for the Mic Drop Moment Award, Design Firm of the Year, and introduce the official 2026 Ones to Watch class. Additionally, Melissa Shelton, founder and creative director of the New Orleans-based firm Dear Valentine, has been formally named the Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the Year.
Registration for BDNY 2026 is officially open to the public. Qualified industry professionals have the option to register for either the comprehensive two-day conference series or the expansive trade fair floor, with discounted advance registration rates available through October 14.
