Stéphanie Drake, co-founder and principal of Drake Khan Design, 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, Drake discussed storytelling through design, leveraging technology and how to maintain sustainability in hotel design.
1. What are you most excited about for your company in 2025 (and beyond)?
At Drake Khan Design, we’re most excited about expanding our portfolio and continuing to bring a fresh, innovative perspective to the hospitality industry. As we grow, we’re also focused on solidifying our reputation as a design firm that blends creativity with functionality to create immersive experiences. We are thrilled about collaborating with more visionary partners and bringing impactful designs to life that reflect the unique character of each project.
2. What are some of the biggest design-related changes you’ve seen in the hotel industry over the past year?
There’s a clear move toward emotional connection and storytelling—design that isn't just beautiful, but meaningful. Guests are seeking spaces that reflect the culture and character of the location, not cookie-cutter experiences. We're also seeing shorter renovation cycles, which means design has to work harder, faster and smarter.
3. How has your business adjusted to these changes?
Our team’s multicultural background and time living abroad give us an edge in storytelling through design. We don’t just ‘add local flavor’—we embed it into the bones of the project wherever we can. And we’ve become laser-focused on materiality, learning more about operations, and durability to support faster refreshes without compromising on quality or narrative.
4. How are you incorporating new technology, especially AI, into your business?
We’re using AI to sharpen the backend of our design process—enhancing visualizations, accelerating schematic iterations and streamlining project documentation. But at the core, it’s still human. Our creativity and cultural sensitivity can't be replicated by code, but AI helps us work smarter so we can spend more time crafting the experience.
5. What steps are you taking to improve sustainability in the industry?
We’re making bold decisions around materials—trying to prioritize locally sourced, low-waste and circular products. We’re also educating clients that sustainability isn’t just a line item—it’s a mindset. We aim to specify items that are built to last, timeless in their aesthetic, and mindful of lifecycle cost and environmental impact.
6. What are some trends you think will have staying power beyond 2025?
We don’t chase trends—but we do believe in evolution. Design that reflects authenticity, fosters wellness, and encourages connection is here to stay. Spaces that feel curated, personal, and intuitive—those will stand the test of time. Also: thoughtful lighting and tactility are finally getting the attention they deserve.
7. What is the biggest challenge you have overcome over the past year? How did you overcome it?
Breaking into hospitality as a new design studio was no small feat. We didn’t have a portfolio of legacy hotel projects—just raw talent, a bold point of view, and a relentless work ethic. We overcame that by fearlessly presenting who we are and going above and beyond on our first hotel project. That “kid in a candy store” energy helped us earn trust and respect early on. On top of that, we had to navigate the ever-evolving challenges of complex construction timelines, rising costs of goods, and the latest wave of tariff issues impacting materials and FF&E. We are tackling these hurdles by strengthening our supplier relationships, staying nimble with sourcing strategies, and being proactive in project management. Clear, transparent communication with all stakeholders—and a whole lot of creative problem-solving- are essential in keeping projects on track and on budget.
8. What is the value of meeting hospitality suppliers one-on-one?
Discussing materials in real time. Beyond that, it’s about building relationships. When we know the people behind the products, we specify with more confidence—and often discover new solutions we didn’t know we needed.
9. What do you hope to accomplish at Hotec this year?
At Hotec, we aim to continue building relationships with industry leaders and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. We hope to share our unique design philosophy, gain insights into the latest advancements in hospitality, and find inspiration to push our projects to new heights. Ultimately, our goal is to create lasting connections that help us continue growing as a firm and bringing our innovative vision to more hospitality projects worldwide.
Hotec Design will take place June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess. Applications are open for buyers and suppliers.