HRDS 2026 Schedule of Content

Brighton – Hotel and Resort Design South 2026 (HRDS) has released its schedule of content for 2026. Industry experts will take to the stage to share their insights, analysis and trend predictions. This IDCEC-accredited conference, designed to inspire and inform hospitality design professionals, will take place on 9 – 10 June at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The schedule of content, in partnership with NEWH, features a dynamic lineup of learning experiences from panel discussions, collaborative working groups, Lunch & Learns, fire-side Q&As, and real-world case studies – each led by the minds making the biggest impact across hospitality’s fastest-growing regions. Kicking off the proceedings will be, The role of branding: from design vision through operations & storytelling. The session gathers representatives from The Parker Company, Experiential Hospitality, The Loren Hotels, and Studio Curioso to explore the ways branding influences decisions in development, design, purchasing and operations from concept to delivery, and beyond.

The distinct Southern States flavour is spotlighted in Southern hospitality: How regional identity shapes design, unpacking how culture, place, and local identity influence design across the Southern US. From lifestyle brands to luxury boutique hotels and branded residential, leaders give experienced insight into how regional character is being translated into distinctive, memorable designs.

With HRDS co-located with Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas, the cross-sector session From ship to shoreside: Extending the cruise product into resorts focuses on the space where designers from both disciplines operate. Tracey Fillmore, President at American Society of Interior Designers, Florida South (ASID) will moderate this panel alongside speakers Bruno Solis Almeida, Concept Manager at Grupo Vidanta, Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́, Founder & Creative Director of Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co, Linh Nguyen, Senior Manager, Interior Assets Management at Seabourn & Holland America Line, diving into how destinations are becoming true extensions of the cruise experience.

With sustainability now a growing industry expectation across hospitality design, the Sustainable Design Summit Working Group Breakfast brings together sustainability specialists, specifiers, trusted suppliers, and key stakeholders to workshop what it takes to design a genuinely eco-friendly space from first concept to end-of-life. Leading this collaborative session are sustainably-minded brands Marriott International, Holland American Line & Seabourn, Carnegie Textiles, and Brightmark.

Ending the program with the business of bringing designs to life is The Secrets of Sourcing: How the top procurement brands do it best, featuring case studies from Carroll Adams, The Parker Company, and more, exploring topics such as procuring at scale vs boutique projects, going the extra mile vs operating within budget constraints and the new frontier of materials and products.

HRDS is co-located with CSI Design Expo Americas (CSI), the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. Visitors of HRDS receive access to the CSI conference program, expertly curated to put attendees at the forefront of cruise design and guest experience.

Visit the website for the full session and speaker line-up. To join the hotel design community on 9 – 10 June at the Miami Beach Convention Center, register for your free pass here.

About Hotel & Resort Design South

Hotel & Resort Design South (HRDS) caters exclusively to those involved in the design of world-class hotels, resorts, and private island destinations. For more information on HRDS, please contact Senior Marketing Manager Olivia Irving at Olivia.Irving@elite-exhibitions.com or call on +44 1273 086 330.