How do you get EMEA's most influential top-end hotel designers to specify your products? Best come and ask them...
If getting specified for top-end hotel projects is your chosen mission, you’ll know that, unless your products are front-of-mind at the right time with the right people, your chances are very slim indeed. It’s tough out there!
Happily, BOND is on its own mission, on your behalf, to identify and invite those designers and architects whose life passion is to deliver the very best in statement luxury hotel design for their exacting clients. So, who are these influencers? And how the heck can you get their undivided attention for long enough to make an impression that counts?
BOND Five Star EMEA 2025 brought (50) Principals, practice leaders and Heads of Design from EMEA’s most in-demand A&D firms to the Carlton, Cannes on March 27-30, 2025. A select group of manufacturers with faith in their products and their teams headed out to spend three whole days and evenings with them.
A few words on our chosen venue: An unmissable landmark along the sparkling shores of the French Riviera, the Carlton, Cannes is a truly legendary hotel that has been a symbol of timeless luxury since 1913. Its grand Belle Époque architecture, opulent interiors, and ever-changing light across its outlook over the Mediterranean Sea make this the perfect location for EMEA’s top-end hotel project community to gather and hatch their plans together.
A guaranteed number of exclusive, 1-on-1 meetings with EMEA's true hotel project influencers
To begin to get a sense of the value of this opportunity for attending suppliers, you need to see the confirmed attendee list.
Now think about the investment of time, sweat and money to try and set up a single meeting with any one of these hotel project influencers. And, even if you manage to get one in the diary, what are the guarantees that it won’t get cut short, that the person you’re hoping to meet doesn’t send a junior replacement or that it will even happen at all?
In a business built firmly on relationships, this is where the clever money is
BOND doesn’t just get you that meeting. It puts together a program that balances hard work and focused time during business hours with a more gentle, relaxed pace between meetings and in the evenings, giving you the rare commodities of time and space to get to know each other properly. In a business built firmly on relationships, this is where the clever money is.
The ‘get to know you’ time began before the event officially started with the pre-event tour. Those who took part found themselves on a boat heading out to the beautiful island of Saint-Honorat, home to the Abbaye de Lérins.
Chosen by Saint Honorat at the beginning of the 5th century for its wild and secluded character, the island allows its inhabitants to preserve the silence conducive to prayer and inner reflection. A wonderfully peaceful environment, it seemed to help our party to truly arrive, enjoying gentle conversation as they wandered through ancient stone pathways, soaking in the Mediterranean views, and savoring truly local wines made by the monks themselves.
Hotel design’s brightest and ascending stars mingled into the night
Back to our iconic venue with time to freshen up, have a wander and maybe see who’s at the bar before your official welcome to the French Riviera with a thoughtfully short message from BOND’s founder, Oliver Needs - see BOND's Origins story. 'Olly' has attended every single BOND event from the start and, if there’s a piano in the place, he’ll happily start something, often accompanied by regular attendees who now know to pack their instrument of choice.
And so, against the evocative backdrop of a Mediterranean sunset, fuelled by the finest in food and drink, hotel design’s brightest and ascending stars mingled into the night.
Three Precious Days - Make them count
A hasty breakfast for most as a surprising number of faces from last night are recognised and smiles and nods are duly exchanged then it’s off to the seminar room for the one about The Future of Luxury: Experience in Place. A chance to sit back and soak in some timely insight into how designers are creating lasting meaning in the spaces they create before you head to the meetings room and get down to business, 1-on-1, starting with the man from Kempinski (check out: The People).
A month earlier, all confirmed attendees were given access to BOND’s delegate portal. Here they found a treasure trove of exclusive information on all the attending designers and architects, including current projects. This info plus all the resources and live webinars provided by BOND meant suppliers who took the time were able to make the most informed choices about who to request their meetings with and arrive fully briefed and prepared on how to make the most of them.
Check out: Three Precious Days - Make them count
It’s the environment BOND creates that makes this gathering so effective
BOND builds the guest list on the strength of each firm’s luxury hotel project portfolio and on the invited individual’s influence over the specification process for those projects. This makes BOND’s value proposition unique in the hospitality design event space. But, it’s the environment BOND creates that makes this gathering so effective. Manufacturers attending their first BOND event will have happily noted the following, as the event came to life:
- The architects and designers whom BOND guaranteed would be there were there as promised.
- Those same architects and designers were so much more relaxed, open and helpful than they were expecting so conversations were surprisingly insightful and fruitful.
- They enjoyed the whole experience on a level beyond expectation and left with their luxury hotel project prospects very much transformed and wondered why on earth they hadn’t tried this before.
The first morning flashes by as if in your own time vortex but as you arrive poolside for lunch, you are aware of a big grin on your face, having had a series of insightful and enjoyable conversations with some of the big names that your company might have been chasing for years. And, as you eye up the sumptuous buffet, you find yourself being pulled into conversation with that nice lady from HBA who just happens to mention a project that’s stalled because of a supplier issue in your particular niche…
The simple art of asking questions and seeing what opens up now feels like the most natural thing in the world
Just as you’re about to lose the argument with yourself about not going back for seconds of dessert, you’re heading back to the seminar room for the one you really want to catch about how architects are leading the way in the hybrid practice of architecture in the metaverse.
Mind officially blown, it’s back to the meetings room for the afternoon session. Nerves from this morning have all but melted away and the simple art of asking questions and seeing what opens up now feels like the most natural thing in the world as you head for the numbered table of the man from Four Seasons.
An intense but incredibly productive and promising day behind you, you reflect that in one single day, you’ve managed to have more focused and productive meetings with real decision makers than you’d normally manage in months. Not to mention all those random conversations and potential leads from last night! Time to catch up with things back home, freshen up and slip into something suitably comfortable and stylish (although you’re not one to show off…).
You’re soon strolling and chatting with the one from Six Senses that you met last night as you head off-site to La Môme Cannes. An established landmark of Cannes nightlife, it’s good to get amongst the locals and just enjoy its effortlessly relaxed vibe as you take your seat with new friends at one of the most welcoming and well-connected tables in the hotel design industry.
So much more than can be conveyed from conversations and words on a website
Breakfast starts your final business day and you’re still on a high from last night as you recall conversations, interesting revelations, surprising introductions and things that really made you laugh. The attendee list is what got you here, but the atmosphere and experience is proving to be so much more than can be conveyed from conversations and words on a website.
The terms ‘community’ and ‘family’ are used a lot these days but here, the people who are usually too busy to take your call or reply to emails are more open and present than you could have imagined, and you have another whole day of this ahead of you. Just time to grab another espresso as you head to the seminar room for the penultimate time for the one about the love language of places and why building better relationships with place is the key to brighter futures. Looking around you at the place that has made experiences and relationships its history, you could not agree more.
Back in your room after another full-on day of warm handshakes, ‘high-level’ conversations and one of the best calls back to the office that you’ve made in a long time, you get ready for the final night and Farewell Dinner. Cocktail attire feels entirely appropriate as you head for an evening of ‘sophistication and elegance’ in the very room where Hitchkock’s To Catch a Thief was filmed.
The finest in French cuisine impeccably presented in front of you, ‘sophistication and elegance’ is certainly the vibe early doors... And, as the fizz and cocktails flow, a suitably exuberant mood takes over as the people who make EMEA’s most incredible hotel projects happen are fully themselves and get to know each other on a level more personal and memorable than any ‘similar event’ can hope to match.
BOND Five Star EMEA 2026 is happening on March 26-29, 2026, venue tba. Like all BOND events, it fills up quicker every year. If you want to have a conversation about it and get the latest event updates, please get in touch.
The following stats and comments are taken from the onsite survey that all attendees were asked to complete and from comments posted on LinkedIn.
Suppliers: How do you rate BOND Five Star EMEA overall? 4.7/5
Fantastic, thank you. High level meetings and a great, friendly atmosphere. Great job!
Nick Brown, Grohe, Leader, Hospitality.
What stood out as the single biggest highlight of the event?
The organization and your team is brilliant but I have to say the hotel was above and beyond as a venue.
Nick Brown, Grohe, Leader, Hospitality.
Focus on the market segment we are interested in, quality of contacts, location
Steven Dennard Moralt AG Sales
Networking during the lunch and dinner events.
Ken Schwartz, President, SSA Foodservice Design + Consulting
Location this time. Simply astounding setting. I won't expect this every time, but it certainly is appreciated!
John Johnston, Rocky Mountain Hardware, International Sales Manager
Top quality designers
David Beld. Palecek. President
How do you rate the management and coordination from the BOND Team onsite? 4.7/5
Absolutely perfect, I felt supported at every moment of the event.
Sandro Casaccio, Kuraray, HPP Manager.
Perfect!
Špela Lokar, TRIMO d.o.o. Key Account Manager
How do you rate the quality and variety of the Architects/Designers in attendance? 4.3/5
I found them very open in sharing their needs and projects.
Sandro Casaccio, Kuraray, HPP Manager.
Honestly, always the highest quality.
John Johnston, Rocky Mountain Hardware, International Sales Manager
How well has your BOND experience aligned with that of a premium brand? 4.8/5
All fits perfectly
Steven Dennard, Moralt, AG Sales
Quality meetings with new and exciting people. It's really extraordinary the effort that is put in.
John Johnston, Rocky Mountain Hardware, International Sales Manager
The interest people showed in our premium products and the variety and quality of the projects that the architects and designers presented.
Liliana FAURE Sales Director
How likely are you to recommend BOND Five Star EMEA to your colleagues and peers? 94%
Architects/Designers: How do you rate BOND Five Star EMEA overall? 4.5/5
I thought the event was incredibly well organised, with interesting and thought-provoking seminars, and a high quality of suppliers. It was also a lot of fun networking with senior people within the industry.
7024 Design and Innovation
Great stay at an iconic location, interesting products and seminars, and great networking overall
KN, Radisson Hotel Group, Design Manager
As a first-time attendee, I was genuinely impressed by how seamlessly everything was organised. The team were incredibly intuitive and supportive throughout, and the meeting schedule was thoughtfully paced, with just the right amount of downtime to recharge when needed. The seminars were incredibly relevant and expertly delivered, offering real value throughout. We had the pleasure of meeting some truly talented designers and forward-thinking suppliers, as well as connecting with many engaging and inspiring individuals throughout the event. I left feeling energised and full of ideas and will definitely be sharing this great experience with others. Thank you again for a fabulous few days, I look forward to next time!
JM, OBMI, Business Development Director
Attending a BOND event is always a remarkable experience. From the carefully chosen venues to the seamless coordination with top-tier suppliers and partners, every detail reflects a level of excellence that sets the standard. It's not just an event—it’s an atmosphere of inspiration, connection, and sophistication. Bond never fails to impress, and it’s always a genuine pleasure to be part of it.
HD, DLRGroup, Middle East hospitality/mixed-use director
Amazing event! It’s such a valuable experience to be surrounded by other experienced designers, hotel operators, and top-tier suppliers. Those kinds of interactions can really open doors for future projects, innovative ideas, and even long-term partnerships.
DSA Architects, Senior Director
What stood out as the single biggest highlight of the event?
Meeting the high quality suppliers. The seminars were exceptional too.
7024 Design and Innovation
The dinner location on the second day was particularly well chosen—it created the perfect atmosphere for meaningful connections and relaxed conversations
DLRGroup, Middle East Hospitality/Mixed-Use Director
The organization, the hotel, the dinners, and most importantly, the PEOPLE were all amazing!
BAR Studio Design Director
How seamless and well-organized the event planning was, along with the opportunity to connect with industry peers and the hotel and location, made the entire experience outstanding
Marriott International - Director, Interior Design, Luxury.
The general relaxed friendly vibe
Associate Interior Designer, GA London
How would you rate the customer service you received prior to the event? 4.8/5
The BOND team were friendly, efficient and very organised. Thank you!
7024 Design and Innovation
Very good customer service before and throughout the event, especially for a first timer, I was kept fully informed and knew what to expect. Good reminders.
OBMI, Business Development Director
Overall the interaction was engaging, clear, concise and supportive.
Marriott International - Director, Interior Design, Luxury.
Perfect customer service
HBA, Projects Director
Absolutely first-class attention.
Principal & Creative Director- Living Design of Sweden AB
How do you rate the management and coordination from the BOND Team onsite? 4.8/5
Excellent, one of the most well organised events I have ever had the pleasure of attending. The team were very intuitive and I particularly noticed the respectful gentle reminders when sessions were starting etc.
OBMI, Business Development Director
The BOND team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression
DLRGroup, Middle East Hospitality/Mixed-Use Director
Professional and diligent
Marriott International - Director, Interior Design, Luxury.
Professional, helpful, on time and with a smile.
HBA, Projects Director
Overwhelmingly great & kind
Principal & Creative Director- Living Design of Sweden AB
Please comment on the variety of the suppliers you met with.
Best in the design industry.
HBA, Projects Director
From facade cladding, to door hinges to FF&E including wine cellars, it was very varied with great products.
IHG, Design Director Southern Europe
How well has your BOND experience aligned with that of a premium brand? 4.7/5
I have attended other events organized by different companies and the level of the event (in all aspects) was not as premium as the BOND one.
IHG, Design Director Southern Europe
As a designer in the 5* hospitality industry, BOND aligned with the 5* high end experience we as designers are accustomed to, when working with high-end clients and budgets.
HBA, Projects Director
The team's dedication and attention to detail are truly exceptional—from the choice of city and conference venue to the thoughtfully selected hotel and suppliers. Every aspect, including the way meetings are organized, reflects a clear commitment to quality and creating a meaningful experience.
DLR Group, Middle East Hospitality/Mixed-Use Director
The interaction prior to the event, followed through by a meticulously planned event.
Marriott International - Director, Interior Design, Luxury.
Absolutely wonderfully organized event by friendly, professional team, always in great locations and plenty of collaboration opportunities allowing to make great connections with industry colleagues and suppliers alike.
DSA Architects, Senior Director
How likely are you to recommend BOND Five Star EMEA to your peers and colleagues? 93%
Comments on LinkedIn
Check out: BOND Five Star EMEA 2026
