For two days, RAI Amsterdam will be flooded with international hoteliers descending on this originally British event, which is descending on our capital for the fourth time. We asked Tess Suters, the new event manager of the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam, what to expect from this boutique fair.
"'Dreamland' is this year's theme. It is a topic that is important within the hotel industry. Today's guest wants to escape to a world of luxury, creativity and personal attention. As a hotelier, you have to respond to that and we are helping him do that. It's also a theme that plays out globally. Because of AI, the dividing line between reality and fantasy is disappearing. You can see this as a threat, but it leads to new forms, new products, so we better embrace it."
The 'Dreamland' theme is also reflected in the design of the fair. "We want to take visitors out of their daily hectic for a while. For example, in the Social Business Space, which this year was designed by House of Soko. They have created one that is minimalist, warm and serene, providing 'luxury and the feeling of zen' for the mind. Each designer puts their own spin on the theme, just as each person creates their own dream world. The intersection of creativity, originality and luxury is hugely interesting and we find that this is also playing out within the hotel industry. Today's guest wants to be surprised and has money to pay for it."
"Instead of fixed standards and streamlined processes, which made the hotel industry great, we now see much more need for customisation. Both in terms of services and design. Every major hotel chain is starting boutique hotels with their own design, made by local artisans and artists. Guests increasingly want to decide what they spend their money on, but at the same time want to be blown over by the unexpected. By big, immersive experiences or just a very small experience, like a sunset on the roof terrace or picking your own eggs for breakfast."
"Standard has become a dirty concept," continues Suters. "Our boutique fair responds to this by bringing a selection of 200 brands that fit these times. From designers of handmade lampshades to a supplier of art objects. This way, we help the hotelier to create a unique product. Not only in terms of design, but also the whole back end is covered. For example, we present systems to communicate better with the guest, such as smarter chatbots, based on AI, but also innovative systems that can monitor what exactly is happening in the hotel room. Whether people are blowing and whether there is noise pollution. That's how you get more control as a hotelier."
"We also update all decision makers from independent and luxury hotels coming to our event on other innovative technologies and the latest trends. How use of AI can lead to money savings, for example. But also how hotels can improve their ESG performance and revenu management. We have a two-day lecture programme that addresses topics relevant to hoteliers. Experts in different fields will give short and powerful talks on branding, food trends and staff management, among others. People have limited time, so we offer efficient and informative blocks. And we also do the ever-popular trend tours again for people who want to see all the highlights of the fair in an hour."
"We also make sure there is room to meet colleagues and exchange knowledge, with a good glass to go with it. We are even organising a wine tasting this year. And for the second time, we are presenting the Independent Hotel Show Awards in Amsterdam. This way, we put independent hotels and hoteliers in the spotlight for a while."
The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam will take place on 12 and 13 March. The event has been held in London since 2012 and has become the international business platform for independent hoteliers. Besides London, the event is now being organised in Amsterdam for the fourth time and also takes place in Miami and Munich.
INDEPENDENT HOTEL SHOW AMSTERDAM
12-13 March 2024 - RAI Amsterdam
35% BRAND NEW
As many as 35% of the exhibitors at the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam are new, so every reason to come back. Such as: Sonte, which makes windows frosted at a glance, Werktijden.nl for online staff scheduling, Orac for 3D wall panels, Neildavid a Dutch designer chair brand with removable covers and Aemster a company specialising in scent systems for hotels.
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