Hotel project business is tough!
Winning new hotel project business is tough. You might make the latest and greatest of whatever it is that you do but it’s not enough: if you’re not front-of-mind with the true luxury hotel project influencers come specification time, you can forget it.
So, how do you win the hearts and minds of EMEA’s true luxury hotel project leaders? Well, first you need to know who they are. And we couldn’t do that without the dogged determination (and good old-fashioned charm) of our sales staff and the insight and support they get from our network of people on the ground who know about the big projects and who’s behind them. Then you just need to get yourself some uninterrupted, quality time with them and that is exactly what BOND Five Star gives you: 3 whole days and evenings at the heart of EMEA's most dynamic hotel project community. This one-of-a-kind experience places you at the right place, at the right time, with the right people - the designers behind the 5* hotel projects you want a piece of, and the influencers shaping the future of luxury hospitality design. Because we need to deliver EMEA's true luxury hotel project influencers or it’s a waste of your time and money and you won’t come back again.
Here's a little taster of the ‘buyers’ who came to BOND Five Star EMEA this year. Attending manufacturers had the time, space and opportunity to meet them all.
1. IHG InterContinental, Director of Design and Technical Services, UK
2. Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, Corporate Chief Architect, Switzerland
3. Radisson Hotels, Area Director Design & Technical MEA, SA
4. The Red Sea Development Company, Senior Director of Architecture - Hospitality Development, Saudi Arabia
5. AECOM, Senior Architect Hospitality Projects, Spain
6. DSA Architects International, Design Principal, SA
7. Edge Design, Design Director, UAE
8. EPR Architects, Head of Interior Design, UK
9. FG Stijl Interior Design, Founder & Owner, The Netherlands
10. HKS Interiors, Associate Interior Designer, UK
Luxury Hotel Projects Throughout EMEA
Ultimately, this is about luxury hotel projects, so, every single project leader who was at BOND Five Star EMEA last year had to show us a portfolio of live, confirmed luxury hotel projects throughout EMEA or they didn’t make the cut. Here's a tiny sample of the incredible hotel projects that were on the table:
And so, the people with the projects and the products headed for Hotel Croatia Cavtat on 12-15 October 2023, to spend 3 whole days and nights together.
The format is simple and proven: One-on-one meetings with your best prospects, an AIA-approved seminar program and lots and lots of networking and side events, allowing EMEA's luxury hotel project people to get to know each other in a way that simply isn’t possible at other events. And laughter. Lots of laughter.
Here are some of the things that happened and what some of the people said. But, the only way to appreciate all the nuances, surprises and true potential of this is to get yourself here. Maybe next time...
DAY 1
The event officially kicked off on Thursday evening with the Welcome Reception featuring some of the mouth-watering Tastes of Croatia. The evening provided an excellent example of how a beautiful setting, great light and temperature, good food and drink and interesting company can create a truly unique atmosphere that just happens to be highly conducive to networking. And, when we say networking, we mean simply grabbing a cold one and saying hello to people. Because, when all the hard work of getting the right people here is done, the BONDing starts to happen naturally, with connections and friendships kicking off all over the place.
Day 2
Sunrise meditation anyone? Those who made it to the beach for 7am were treated to a guided meditation by Graig Goldblatt, going into day 2 in the best shape possible, starting with Craig’s gently challenging and inspiring seminar session on ‘Living on Purpose’
And the first meeting session arrives. The nerves are palpable, particularly for those attending their first BOND event: no matter how many times you read the profile of the ‘star buyer’ you’re about to meet, the words just don’t seem to go in. So, you down your third Espresso and enter the meetings room, which has already erupted into life. And there they are, already at their table. Deep breaths, big smile and a handshake. And you only had to ask one of your carefully prepared questions and the conversation is away and running, bringing invaluable, timely insight that can only happen person-to-person, in the flesh like this.
(Here are 12 reasons why one-to-one events are and unbeatable sales tool for building product manufacturers)
And you speedily scribble some notes to try to make sense of later. You’ve got a full day of this - it’s intense! Breathe, slow down, relax. Take better notes – they’ll come into their own when you follow up and this is all too much to remember!
And, before you can say ‘five-star hotel projects!’, the hum of the meetings room starts to quieten as the day’s meetings come to an end and most head back to their rooms to freshen up for night 2.
Night 2
Dubrovnik Old Town is a boat ride away and, as you power your way across the water, you get chatting with one of the designers you didn’t have a scheduled meeting with. And then you get it! Many of the people you could spend the next 6 months trying to get a conversation with are here. And this networking stuff is sooo much easier than you feared and you realise that it’s really nothing more than saying hello and taking an interest and it’s fun! And, as your boat docks at the Old Town, you look around and take in the ancient city walls and twinkling waters, and a smile rises from inside (or is it the canapes...) and you realise that you could get used to this way of doing business. And you’re soon getting into some deep and meaningfuls over dinner and the leads just keep coming.
Well…another example of how BOND Events maintain their elevated status and set themselves apart as THE most complete, full immersion experience for design professionals and solution providers/manufacturers.
Dean Moilanen, Director of Architectural Services at Noble Company
Day 3
A seminar on the trends shaping the industry kicks your brain into life after breakfast on day 3 and you enter the meetings room feeling inspired, excited and much less nervous than yesterday. More nods and smiles from familiar faces as you head to your table and you’re soon in conversation with the one from Kempinski who you’ve been chasing for months and it turns out you have a lot to talk about! This is one to be continued later...
More chats over lunch and cards exchanged and you’re heading to the seminar you’ve been waiting for from that guy who rowed across the Atlantic. Mind-blowing!
Then it’s back-to-back meetings, many with people you’ve already bumped into or been introduced to and, even though it’s intense, you’ve found your flow and you’re loving it!
It's deeply satisfying when you’ve worked hard and your prep. starts to pay off and you find yourself having more meaningful conversations in a couple of days than you normally would in 6 months or more! And, all too soon, you’re done!
20-plus meetings in 2 days with some of the hardest-to-pin-down designers and architects in the luxury hotel design industry and too many promising, non-scheduled, random conversations and leads to count. A quick, ‘cautiously excited’ call to the office and then you’re poolside, joining some of your new friends for a sketching masterclass with Charles Leon – the perfect way to unwind before the Farewell Dinner.
Night 3
And, after enjoying some more top quality BONDing over a rather splendid meal at the hotel, it’s time for the after party and you've already decided what you’re going to ask the DJ to play. And you said you wouldn’t dance...
The organising team at BOND have successfully managed to evolve and create a new generation of unique networking experiences, setting a new community standard. Thoroughly enjoyable, attentively organised, and the staff wonderfully accommodating. This event is truly unique and I highly recommend it.
Mehmet Aktash, Managing Director at Bishop Design
BOND brings the people behind EMEA’s most spectacular hotel projects together with time, space and opportunity to have those conversations you’ve been waiting for. It’s also probably the most productive and fun few days you can have as a luxury hotel design professional. Try it!
