Every year, dozens of design expositions take place all around the world. Designers feel a surge of new energy and inspiration that can boost their business. This blog aims to give you a sense of some of the design expositions out there.
Looking to go to Europe? The Maison & Objet home-style expo occurs every September and January in Paris, supplying a great excuse to visit the most glamorous city in the world. This year, London hosts two expos back to back – 100% Design from September 24-27 and Decorex International from September 27-30 – offering designers a chance to take one trip and get twice the inspiration.
But you don’t have to fly to Europe to attend shows that can lift your spirits and spark your productivity. Fly to New York or Las Vegas. Fly to Chicago or Miami.
Every May, New York hosts the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. By its own description (http://www.icff.com/page/home.asp#), ICFF converts NYC’s Javits Center into “a worldwide wonder for design disciples.”
Also in May, Las Vegas hosts H.D., the Hospitality Design exhibition and conference (http://www.hdexpo.com/). As the organizers explain, “Information-packed, idea-generating conference sessions focusing 100% on hospitality design give attendees the latest and most pertinent issues facing our industry.”
In June, many designers experienced summer in Chicago (and after a cold winter nobody enjoys summertime more than Chicagoans) by visiting the NeoCon exposition (https://www.neocon.com/).
And if you want to attend a stateside expo this year instead of waiting until these other ones come around again, I would strongly recommend heading to Miami for the Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference this September 14-15 (http://www.hdboutique.com/).
If you haven’t been to an expo before, Miami’s HD Boutique is a great way to start. As if Miami Beach weren’t enough of an enticement, the organizers also note that the “intimate scale” of their expo makes it unique, and I have to say I agree. Its scale creates a soothing atmosphere that is less overwhelming than some of the larger expos, and it offers the added benefit of being located in the Design District of Miami, which offers the opportunity to stroll and visit local stores in a way that Las Vegas, for instance, does not.
This is just a taste of what’s out there. I hope it inspires you to take a short trip or a longer one and locate new sources of inspiration. They are there for the taking!
Francois Simard
Francois Simard is a French Canadian living between his residences in Mexico City, Porto Escondido, New York City, East Hampton and Montreal. His work takes him all over the world to interesting locales such as London, Las Vegas, Paris, and Brussels. His creative and consultant work expands from the design industry to real estate investments.
