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AHEAD Europe 2019
18 November 2019
2019 Awards
AHEAD Europe 2019 winners have been announced! You can take a look at the winners here.
A panel of judges comprising of leading hoteliers, architects, interior designers, consultants and industry commentators assessed entries on their aesthetic excellence, guest experience and commercial viability.
The theme of the evening was Block Party Bling, inspired by the hip hop culture and art movement born out of the Bronx, New York City.
Find the event photograph and highlights video are below.
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RH
Global Headline SponsorRH Contract provides a business-to-business partnership like no other in the industry. With our multi-category product assortment, unparalleled product design and curation capabilities, uniquely integrated interior design approach, the benefits of RH’s purchasing power, and our global supply chain and logistics scale, RH Contract has proven to be a unique, valuable project partner.
Visit siteSleeper
Organised ByLasvit
Trophy SponsorThe brand Lasvit, founded in 2007 by Leon Jakimič, sheds new light on Bohemian glass and takes it into the next millennium. Lasvit combines the authenticity of glass craft with innovative technologies and creative craftsmanship. In a few short years, Lasvit has established itself as the authority delivering bespoke lighting sculptures and art installations made from hand-blown glass.
Collaborations with renowned designers and artists produce also unique glass collections. Nendo, Ross Lovegrove, Daniel Libeskind, Maarten Baas, Czech legends René Roubíček and Bořek Šípek are among those who choose Lasvit in order to embody their unconventional artistic vision, endow it with the precision and mastery of our glassmakers, and produce impressive creative oeuvre. This is a manifesto of Lasvit’s uncompromising mission: To transform glass into breathtaking light and design experiences.
Visit siteTop Hotel Projects
Powered ByTOPHOTELPROJECTS is the heart of a global community of suppliers and decision-makers which initiates and supports the communication relating to building, design, furnishing, and operation of hotels.
We are a German research firm covering global hotel constructions, that over a decade branched out into hospitality events, media, and hotel design.
No other company comes close in supporting the hotel industry by efficiently combining different business areas into one integrated solution.
Ever since the hotel industry veteran Rolf W. Schmidt founded the company in 2009, our core activity is building the world’s most comprehensive directory of:
We took the complex, ever-evolving global hospitality industry and introduced it to our German sense of efficiency and sheer hard work.
Our research team of some 25 experienced professionals spends 1,800 hours a month researching hotel projects around the world.
Our database has been 10 years in the making, during which we gathered information on over 24,000 hotel projects and 120,000 related companies. Currently, our database has information on more than 6,500 ongoing hotel projects worldwide – important details included.
TOPHOTELPROJECTS today represents an exhaustive, ever-growing network of professionals from all major sectors of the hospitality industry: owners, developers, investors, brands, operators, architects, designers, and suppliers.
In 2019, TOPHOTELPROJECTS and Sleeper Media signed a strategic partnership with mutual co-investment. This partnership combines digital expertise and in-depth data of TOPHOTELPROJECTS with Sleeper Media’s leading hospitality offerings. It is all about synergy and a win for all sectors of the industry.
Visit siteAkula
Global SponsorAkula, a leading manufacturer of marine-grade outdoor furniture has established itself as a trusted partner for the world’s leading hospitality and cruise operators, offering an extensive range of solutions designed to meet the unique needs of these demanding environments.
With a unique dual focus on custom manufacturing and quick-ship capabilities, Akula stands out. This approach allows them to provide personalised solutions that cater to specific design and functionality requirements while running a quick-ship program that ensures timely delivery to meet tight project timelines. This makes Akula a preferred choice for clients who require bespoke designs and efficiency.
Engineered to withstand the rigors of outdoor environments, Akula's products are built to last. Every piece is manufactured to endure extreme conditions, including UV exposure, seawater, chlorinated water, and fluctuating temperatures, with minimal maintenance required. This commitment to durability ensures that Akula’s furniture not only enhances outdoor spaces but also offers long-term value.
Akula's global footprint, with offices in the UK, USA, UAE, and Hong Kong, underscores its worldwide reach and ability to serve clients across the globe. This international presence facilitates a deep understanding of market needs and ensures that Akula is not just a name but a global standard in outdoor furniture.
Akula’s success is rooted in its dedication to quality, innovation, and customer service. By continuously pushing the boundaries of design and technology, Akula remains at the forefront of the outdoor furniture industry, delivering solutions that are as robust as they are elegant.
Visit siteKaldewei
Global SponsorKALDEWEI – your worldwide partner for iconic bathroom solutions shaped from superior steel enamel. KALDEWEI’s extensive range of bathtubs, shower surfaces, and washbasins are ideally suited to the demands of the hospitality industry delivering an increased level of health and wellbeing awareness for your hotel. The smooth, non-porous glass surface not only gives you security against germs and dirt but is also the material of the future. KALDEWEI steel enamel is made of 100% natural materials and is 100% recyclable, so it’s good for your guests and the planet too.
To learn more visit KALDEWEI.com
Visit siteLaufen
Global SponsorFounded in 1892 in Switzerland, LAUFEN has become one of the world's leading companies for sanitary ceramics. Today LAUFEN Bathrooms provided integrated bathroom concepts with high-quality products, ranging from sanitary ceramics to bathtubs and shower trays, furniture, faucets, and accessories.
Visit siteMaison & Objet Paris
Global SponsorMaison&Objet (SAFI, a joint subsidiary of Ateliers d'Art de France and RX France) has been leading and bringing together the international decoration, design, and lifestyle community since 1994.
Its trademark is its ability to elicit productive international meetings, to drive the visibility of the brands that join its exhibitions and its digital platform, but also its singular instinct for highlighting the trends that will set the heart of the interior design planet racing. Maison&Objet's mission is to reveal talent, to offer opportunities for discussion and inspiration both online and offline, and to facilitate the development of businesses.
With two annual exhibitions and Paris Design Week in September, Maison&Objet serves as an indispensable barometer for the entire sector. Online since 2016, MOM (Maison&Objet and More) allows buyers and brands to continue their exchanges, launch new collections, and make contacts beyond physical meetings. Weekly launches of new products provide an ongoing boost to the industry. In 2023, Maison&Objet rolled out new digital services, and MOM also became a marketplace.
On social networks, discoveries are made on a daily basis by a community of almost 2 million active professionals on Facebook, Instagram (+1M followers), Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Xing, WeChat, and now TikTok.
Spearheading the Paris Capitale de la Création label, Maison&Objet is a catalyst for positioning Paris as a major magnet for international creative talents.
Visit siteRoca
Global SponsorDesigning and manufacturing everything in bathrooms.
Roca began life as a family business manufacturing cast iron radiators at a factory in Gavà, near Barcelona in 1917. Over the years, the portfolio gradually expanded and by 1929, Roca entered the bathroom environment for the first time. With an attentive focus on social changes, Roca has since been pioneering when tackling issues surrounding sustainability, design, and technology, and remains at the forefront of these innovations today. Today, Roca reaches over 170 countries, supplied by 76 production plants with more than 20,000 employees worldwide. After one hundred years, Roca is still proud to call itself a family business.
Visit siteVilleroy&Boch
Global SponsorVilleroy & Boch, formed in 1748, is a leading ceramics manufacturer steeped in European culture and history, and one of the biggest international premium brands in the areas of bathrooms and wellness.
Villeroy & Boch offers the finest and most innovative bathroom products and furnishing concepts for both private customers and property developers. The company is a pioneer in the realm of ceramic product design and innovation. Villeroy & Boch beautiful, high-quality products are hallmarks of French design flair and German engineering efficiency.
Visit siteInterdecor Design
Event SponsorInterdecor Design, with over 20 years of experience, we are proud to be considered the leading 5-star international interiors contractor within Europe.
Garnering an undisputed reputation amongst clients for our manufacturing capability and skilled team, we offer products, with a commitment to style, quality and value, ensuring absolute client satisfaction.
Professionalism is ensured throughout all stages, with Interdecor assuming control of the project from initial site surveys to completion, providing value engineering advice, sample finishes, prototype rooms, achieving strict budget requirements, and meeting tough delivery schedules and completion dates for all our clients. Interdecor has undertaken complex projects often requiring hand finishing, inlay, and intricate carving. Our team uses the latest computer technology and has access to constant training programs. Considering our expertise, dedicated management team, and project managers, we can confidently guarantee all our clients will be completely satisfied with our performance across all project stages. Our primary objective is to provide interior designers, contractors, major international hotel operators, and private clients with the highest quality bespoke furniture, upholstery, architectural millwork, and complete interiors for bedrooms and public areas.
Visit siteDesign Hotels
PartnerMusic Concierge
Music ConsultantDezeen
Digital PartnerBeck
Event SponsorBECK was founded in 1994 to deliver world-leading interior fit-outs for the luxury, lifestyle, and museum sectors. We’re still privately owned and committed to producing world-class craftsmanship, whether on-site or in our bespoke in-house joinery facility.
We collaborate with architects and designers from our UK headquarters in Surrey, just outside central London, but our work takes us all over the world wherever clients demand outstanding interiors with unparalleled attention to detail.
Visit sitePreciosa
Event SponsorPreciosa Lighting elevates the heritage of Bohemian crystal through contemporary lighting designs since 1724. The company is built on centuries of tradition and the unique art of master glassmakers from Crystal Valley. We honour this heritage and craftsmanship by creating innovative lighting products that stand the test of time.
Our lighting styles range from individual luxury lighting to dynamic and interactive installations. As a global company, Preciosa cooperates with designers worldwide to create exclusive lights that reflect our spirit. Our historic chandeliers and contemporary projects can be found in hotels, resorts, fine restaurants, luxury residences, cultural institutions and on board yachts and cruise ships in locations as varied as New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Moscow or London.
Preciosa Lighting can create unrivaled emotional experiences by combining the traditional art form of chandelier craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. This knowledge is what drives our intention to unveil the symbolic as well as the aesthetic power of decorative lighting. It led us to create Preciosa’s Signature Designs which are highlighted by countless customization possibilities to perfectly fit the owner’s desires.
Signature Designs are authentic, timeless, and celebrate design. We are inspired by the allure of crystal combined with light. Creative craftsmanship is evident through the versatility of each light; customizable for space and its uses. Preciosa’s advanced use of technology is seen in every element of the design. They present contemporary styles with a timeless quality.
Visit siteTECE
Event SponsorClose to you
As a global manufacturer of sanitary products and installation systems, “close to you” is our promise. We have been operating as an independent, family-run business in close proximity to people and the markets for over 30 years. Curiosity about our customers’ world leads us to develop well-thought-out products and services and will continue to drive our innovative approach forwards in the future. Innovation, design, and high-quality standards are our main drivers. Our system solutions combine permanently safe functions with a timeless design. This combination is representative of the driving force behind our company – making good products even better.
Competencies
In front of and behind the wall. TECE’s areas of competence encompass outstanding sanitary design elements such as toilet flush plates including cisterns, prefabricated wall modules, a toilet with shower function, and elegant shower channels or shower profiles.
We support your international project activities by consulting you, providing the configuration of water supply systems, and preparing the accurate technical design of prefabricated wall modules. We assist you with the fulfillment of all relevant local regulations and environmental certification. You can rely on a fast, responsive, and reliable service.
Around 1’500 employees globally manufacture and serve clients – TECE products are available in more than 50 countries.
Visit siteAlarwool
Event SponsorAlarwool S.L. is a family business with over 60 years of experience in the textile industry. Its origins date back to 1950 in Alar del Rey, a small town in the Spanish province of Palencia (ALAR-WOOL) where the main economic engine was agriculture and sheep farming. That was when Don Pedro Cubero bought the only local industry, a textile spinning facility that belonged to the Count of Mansilla and which employed most of the population in the area. Spinning at the heart of Tierra de Campos, where there was more than 1 million head of sheep, guaranteed the best raw material for its yarn.
More than 60 years after its founding, Alarwool S.L. is still a family-owned and operated company, run by the same family that founded it and its principal activity is still the manufacture of custom woven wool rich carpets. At present it not only works with local raw materials but also selects the best wool form around the world to manufacture its carpets, which are installed in cruises, casinos and hotel chains worldwide, making Alarwool S.L. one of the world-leading custom carpet manufacturing company.
Alarwool S.L. makes its carpets according to the most demanding design, color and quality specifications, working closely with some of the most important design and architectural firms around the world. For the company it has always been a priority to keep all the workforce in Spain, so now all carpets are manufactured at its production plant in Crevillente, Alicante. Furthermore, it is important to note that approximately 90% of its production goes to projects outside Spain.
Alarwool S.L. offers a very personalized service, updating customers on a regular basis as to the progress of its project from the moment our designers begin to develop design concepts to the delivery of the material or installation. With a capability to produce over 450,000 square meters of carpets annually, Alarwool S.L. is one of the largest companies manufacturing high quality wool carpets for hotels, casinos and cruise
Visit siteFestival of Hospitality
PartnerFestival of Hospitality
Curated by Always Thinking in collaboration with the wider hospitality community, the Festival offers exciting new event formats which inspire connectivity, best practice and learning across the whole hotel eco-system.
Providing an inclusive space for hotel and F&B operators, designers, architects, developers, investors and thought leaders to share ideas for the productivity and growth of the sector.
Always Thinking
Always Thinking is a business development consultancy that specialises in the built environment. With a no-bullshit approach, the team has helped leading names such as Make Architects, Goddard Littlefair and PDP London to develop focused business development strategy. Our research-based approach encourages communication through inquisitive questioning, intelligent conversation and client-centric thinking – there is no hard-sell.
Katie Tobin - katie@alwaysthinking.org
Karen Willey - karen@alwaysthinking.org
Instagram - @alwaysthinking_bd
LinkedIn - alwaysthinking
HIX
PartnerEUROPE'S ONLY HOTEL DESIGN EVENT
Expo. Talks. Installations and Social. HIX is designed for hotel design.
Last year, HIX welcomed over 3,500 guests and 200 exhibitors for a showcase of the latest and greatest in hotel design and experience.
Returning bigger and better for 2022, we’re bringing the hotel interiors community together for two days of networking, discussions and celebration against a backdrop of design installations, social spaces and a curated exhibition of Europe’s leading suppliers.
New this year is Collection, a curated edit of of 30 leading brands serving up a taste of their latest ranges in a space served by its own ‘mini-bar’ and curated playlist. Elsewhere, the Workshop Lounge allows guests to meet our expert speakers following sessions of an expanded talks programme exploring the latest hotel trends.
Northern Lights
Event SponsorNorthern Lights have been transforming spaces through artisan lighting for over 35 years, forming close collaborative relationships with some of the most influential and high-profile interior designers and architects globally.
Their passion & expertise has helped create some of the most iconic luxury bespoke lighting on a global scale, with their decorative fittings located in a wide variety of stunning hotels, restaurants, private residences, marine and commercial settings. From bedside lamps and wall lights to six metre bespoke chandeliers, their expert teams work closely to turn creative visions in to reality.
Well-considered design is at the forefront of everything; from the timeless, versatile and ever-evolving lighting pieces in the Signature Collection through to dramatically stunning bespoke lighting design. Blending 35 years of manufacturing expertise with generations of innovative product design principles enables Northern Lights to configure complex in-house manufacturing techniques in their UK facility to deliver spectacular, unique lighting designs that exceed their clients’ briefs.
Their skilled teams of designers and artisans have spent years developing their craft, focusing on the details to ensure Northern Lights is a name you can trust. By keeping as much of the manufacturing as possible under one roof, they are able to maintain full control from concept through to delivery. This commitment to carefully curated designs enables them to approach bespoke lighting in ways that very few other companies can.
“Northern lights are very proud of our in-house manufacturing capabilities. We create exquisite bespoke installations and some truly unique collections. We have particular expertise in glass techniques, metal fabrication and an extensive range of completely custom finishes, all produced in our own facilities. Our unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and new technology allows us to elevate any design vision, turning the sublime into the iconic.” - Donna Bruce, MD.
Visit siteMaterial Bank
Event SponsorLaunched in the US in 2019 by founder and CEO Adam I. Sandow, Material Bank has simplified the complex process of finding and sampling materials by providing a powerful digital marketplace combined with large-scale logistics. The platform allows architects, interior designers, and corporate buyers to search for hundreds of thousands of materials, such as paint, flooring, textiles, ceramics, tiles, acoustics, and wallcoverings, across hundreds of brands and order samples overnight delivery in a single box. With more than 500 brands and over 100,000 highly vetted members, including users at over 90% of the top 200 architecture and design firms and 20% of the Fortune 1000 companies, the platform has been rapidly adopted by the design community and continues to grow exponentially.
Material Bank seamlessly connects global manufacturers with specifiers and buyers while reducing friction and saving valuable time for design professionals. Its tools and services have created massive design efficiencies for its members and brand partners alike. In addition to improving the speed of finding and sampling materials, Material Bank provides a sustainable solution by consolidating samples from multiple brands into a single box, eliminating more than three million parcels from shipping to date.
Material Bank Europe, led by Philippe Brocart, will launch their platform with over 150 brands spanning all material categories. Their logistics facility, strategically located near the Roissy CDG airport in Paris, has been receiving inventory for several months in preparation for the launch. Its physical presence close to Paris will allow Material Bank to better meet the specific needs of its European specifiers. Proximity to key European regions allows Material Bank to personalise services and strengthen local relationships. This will position Material Bank for success in the region in the long term.
For more information about Material Bank, please visit: materialbank.eu
Visit siteBlue Badge Access Awards
Supporting PartnerThe Awards were first launched at the House of Lords in 2016 to recognise, celebrate and reward accessibility across hotels, restaurants and other public venues worldwide.
The judges focus on style, thoughtful design, innovation and liberty that delivers exceptional accessibility. The aim is to encourage hospitality industry bosses, architects and designers worldwide to consider ways in which they can address the current and future needs of disabled guests.
Visit siteHastens
Event SponsorAt Hästens, we strive for a world where people sleep well – one that’s more joyful, peaceful, and loving. Every day since 1852, we continue to honour our world-class craft in our factory in Köping, Sweden. That is why our master craftsmen consider and handcraft every detail of our bespoke designs using only the finest natural materials. We only use what we consider to be the finest natural materials. Sustainably produced and ethically sourced – so that those materials can be given a new life one day. A product that comes from nature wants to return to nature and that is how it should be. Hästens is a six-generation family business and has had the honour and privilege of serving as an official supplier to the Swedish Royal Court for three generations.
A night spent in our Hästens beds not only elevates the guest experience and provides a service level beyond expectations. It sets the tone for the day ahead. That is the beauty of quality sleep; it helps people to wake up feeling energized and with a fresh perspective. It makes the world around them appear brighter. Wellbeing is one of life’s greatest
luxuries, and increasingly, guests are looking to invest their time and energy into products, services and destinations that will enhance their health and life experience. The world is waking up to the value of sleep and the quality of a luxury bed pays for itself time and again. Our beds are designed to last for many years. Even after a decade of heavy use, you can be sure you are offering your guests the best possible sleep during their stay.
Uninterrupted deep sleep is what guests dream of when checking in. It is what they talk about after they leave. So, together, let us give them more than a sleep to remember by helping them to feel the best they have ever felt. Reawaken your guest experience with Hästens.
Visit siteHoad & More | Schneider Electric
Event SponsorHoad & More | Schneider Electric
Our companies came together to combine human-centric design with digital technology.
Hoad & More offers bespoke, quality switch plates with personalised aesthetics, while Schneider Electric delivers a wide range of digital technologies and services that enhance guest comfort and reduce operational costs.
Together, we create seamless, intuitive room controls that elevate the guest experience while addressing the rising demand for eco-conscious luxury.
Thanks to data captured from the physical world, we can personalise a guest experience while improving efficiency and reducing emissions to solve hotel owners' challenges and support responsible tourism.
This partnership is a game-changer for the hospitality industry, offering an unmatched blend of style, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. By adopting these solutions, hotels can appeal to both luxury travellers and environmentally conscious guests, setting a new standard for modern hospitality that balances comfort with responsibility.