First word: We're listening...

Jeff Higley

The nature of my job makes me a good listener. Maybe not the preacher-hearing-you-bare-your-soul type of listener, but definitely a notch above the bartender-hearing-your-woes type of listener. Regularly conducting interviews and turning them into educational and entertaining articles requires good listening skills. And like most professionals, I want to use my skills to better myself and the products that I serve. That's definitely the case with HOTEL DESIGN. One thing we've tried to do since the magazine was launched in 2004 is listen to our readers. They've told us that they like what they see on our pages because it provides information and inspiration; that it's not from the same mold as some of our competitors. They've also told us they want to see more faces and resources.

In this issue you will find both. Beginning on page 20 is a series of outtakes from a designer roundtable. These influential and informed designers tackled some difficult topics that give us a sense of where the industry is heading. We're planning on more roundtables throughout 2008 to give you insight into the minds of some of the brightest designers and architects serving the hotel sector. We also have our "Up Close and Personal" page with Kimberley Miller and two pages following that cover who is doing what and going where in the design community.

As for resources, we hope you find the listing of lighting designers to be illuminating. Forgive the pun, but be sure to call on these professionals if you're in the need of help to brush up on the fundamentals of lighting design. Going forward, we'll be introducing a column that deals with in-room technology and how it affects design.

Our 2008 editorial calendar (available at http://www.hoteldesignmagazine.com ) again features our bathroom design trends column as well having certain issues focused on products. This issue's focus is on flooring, and we plan to dedicate future issues to products such as lighting, linens, fabrics and wall coverings.

We want to continue bringing you the resources you want and need. Drop me an e-mail to let me know if we're hitting or missing the mark. Meanwhile, thanks for listening.

Editorial Director
jhigley@questex.com