Mrinal Suri, senior project designer at Hirsch Bedner Associates, is set to attend Hotec Design, an annual conference presented by Questex, the parent company of Hotel Management. At the conference—scheduled this year for June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess—buyers meet one-on-one with hospitality-focused suppliers to learn about new products and services and to keep up-to-date on emerging trends.
Ahead of the conference, Suri talked about the growth of wellness, personalization and technology in hospitality.
1. What are you most excited about for your company in 2025 (and beyond)?
I'm incredibly excited about our new marketing strategy, which reflects over 60 years of HBA’s business evolution. We've revamped a fresh logo and look that unifies our global offices under a single, cohesive brand. This transformation means that HBA is no longer operating as individual offices but as a unified conglomerate. For our clients, this translates to enhanced collaboration and talent sharing across all our locations globally, ensuring they receive the best expertise and service we have to offer. It's an exciting time to be part of HBA.
2. What are some of the biggest design-related changes you’ve seen in the hotel industry over the past year?
One of the most significant trends I've observed is the hospitality industry's heightened focus on wellness—encompassing mental, physical and ambient aspects. Hotels are not only offering wellness-related amenities but are also incorporating materials and color palettes that promote a sense of well-being. Additionally, there's a strong emphasis on hydration stations, with many hotels taking steps to reduce plastic waste by providing sustainable alternatives to plastic bottles. These changes reflect a broader commitment to both guest health and environmental sustainability.
3. How are you incorporating new technology, especially AI, into your business?
We're embracing new technology in several exciting ways. Our global team has started using MidJourney, which has significantly enhanced our creative processes. The time required to put out custom ideas has gone down significantly. HBA is able to create its own in-house image library ranging from overall scenes to custom FFE.
Additionally, we've transitioned our specification program from a desktop-based system to the cloud. This shift allows our designers to access and write specifications from anywhere in the world, fostering greater collaboration and efficiency. These advancements are helping us stay at the forefront of innovation in the design industry.
4. What are some trends you think will have staying power beyond 2025?
The boutique mindset. I see hotels continuing to move toward personalization in experience, service and design. We already see this in many hotels, from amenities and programming to interiors, and this will remain at the forefront. Every touch point will have a story behind it that connects guests to the property and destination in a meaningful way.
5. What is the value of meeting hospitality suppliers one-on-one?
One-on-one meetings are invaluable for building and deepening meaningful relationships, learning about exciting new products and technologies, and uncovering design inspiration. They also offer advantages that can’t be matched by digital interactions, including the ability to physically touch and feel the product, see the finishes, and gain insight that isn’t shared with the masses. These face-to-face interactions ultimately help designers better execute projects and make more informed purchasing decisions.
6. What do you hope to accomplish at Hotec this year?
I hope to build new relationships, say hello to familiar faces, and learn new trends and innovations that I can take back and share with my team.
Hotec Design will take place June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess. Applications are open for buyers and suppliers.