Photo: Courtesy BDNY

Fair for boutique hotel design welcomes Marcel Wanders, Kai-Uwe Bergmann and industry operators to the Javits Center to discuss business, culture and experience.

By Samuel Navarro Serpa

NEW YORK — BDNY 2026 (Boutique Design New York), which describes itself as the leading curated design trade show and conference for boutique hotels, takes place Sunday and Monday, Nov. 8 and 9, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Under the theme “Designed to Be Remembered,” the 2026 edition shifts the focus from visual distinction to relevance: what makes a hospitality project memorable and successful. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BDNY 2026 puts design, business and culture on one stage

Attendees include designers, developers, owners, operators, food and beverage executives and purchasing managers. Discussions are spread across the Main Stage, BD Hub, Dine & Design and Designed Spaces, in addition to partner activations. Topics include accelerated hotel delivery, building reuse, wellness, new definitions of luxury, food-driven concepts and sustainability.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

Gannon Brousseau, executive vice president of Forge’s Luxury & Design Group, says: “The strongest ideas in hospitality today are at the intersection of design, business, culture and experience.” Alissa Ponchione, editor in chief of Boutique Design and Hospitality Design magazines, adds that the focus goes beyond aesthetics to create meaningful experiences and connections.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

On Sunday, the first session goes to Lodging Econometrics, which analyzes the U.S. hotel project pipeline through 2027, with a focus on renovations and conversions. Owners, purchasing managers, designers and manufacturers take the Main Stage to discuss how to shorten timelines without compromising design intent, operations and the guest experience. Marcel Wanders, owner and creative director of Moooi, talks with Ponchione about his entrepreneurial path, creative freedom and emerging talent.

In the afternoon, designer Galey Alix, entrepreneur Dale Moss and Kane Sarhan, co-founder and creative director of The Well, address wellness. At 3:30 p.m., Kai-Uwe Bergmann, partner at Bjarke Ingels Group, walks through projects in Japan, Bhutan, Paris, Copenhagen and the Arctic Circle.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

Monday brings sessions on the balance between preservation and profitability in reuse projects and on belonging in reuse projects contemporary luxury. Executives from Major Food Group and Tao Group Hospitality debate the future of food and beverage. Chef Charlie Palmer and Jennifer Johanson of EDG show how a culinary vision can sustain a hotel brand.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

BDNY 2026 also features Inside Norway, where Norwegian designers and manufacturers present natural materials and craftsmanship, moderated by Ben Dreith, U.S. editor of Dezeen. Kimshasa Baldwin and Gordana Jordanovska explain, at Dine & Design, how hospitality principles shaped the arrival experience, public spaces and gathering places at the Obama Presidential Center.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

Well beyond the stage

A partnership joins BDNY and Humble Design, a national nonprofit that turns donated furniture into homes for families leaving homelessness, including veterans. Named “Design With Purpose,” the activation at booths 986 and 987 invites visitors to support the cause and advocate for furniture reuse and circularity.

Photo: Courtesy BDNY

Celebrations begin Friday, Nov. 6, with the Platinum Circle Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, which honors industry leaders for career contributions. On Nov. 9, the Power Players: Women Leaders breakfast brings together women leaders at the River Pavilion of the Javits Center. In the evening, the Gold Key Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street recognize projects in 24 categories, plus Design Firm of the Year, the 2026 Ones to Watch and Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the Year.

Registration for professionals is open for the two-day conference or the trade show only, and accredited journalists can request a free press pass BDNY 2026 . Schedule and speakers are subject to change.