Alex Bursac, business development manager at Alore Design, is set to attend Hotec Design, an annual conference presented by Questex, the parent company of Hotel Management. At the conference—scheduled this year for June 17-20 at the PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.—buyers meet one-on-one with hospitality-focused suppliers to learn about new products and services and to keep up-to-date on emerging trends.
Ahead of the event, Bursac discussed how sustainability, wellness and technology are changing the way hotels are designed.
1. How has your segment of the industry changed over the past year?
- Sustainability: Eco-conscious consumers are driving a demand for fixtures made from recycled materials or those that promote water conservation, like low-flow showerheads and faucets.
- Smart Technology: Integration of smart features is on the rise. This can include touchless faucets, toilets with built-in bidets and self-cleaning functions or voice-controlled features for showers.
- Wellness Focus: Bathroom design is increasingly focused on creating a spa-like atmosphere, with features like chromatherapy lighting, heated towel racks and rainfall showers.
- Minimalism and Clean Lines: Simple and uncluttered designs with a focus on functionality remain popular. This translates to sleek fixtures with smooth finishes and hidden hardware. Material
- Innovations: We're seeing a rise in the use of unique and durable materials like black stainless steel, matte finishes, and natural stones like granite or marble.
2. Can you share some ways you and your company have adapted to these changes?
We are committed to sustainability, and all of our product lines meet the highest standards in water conservation and manufacturing processes in both Europe and North America. All of our product lines are designed and engineered to account for code compliance, user preferences (wellness) and an aesthetic that transcends time—we don't follow trends, we keep our finger on the pulse of what's next in order to help set the pace of the industry and exceed industry standards.
3. What are some trends you think will have staying power beyond 2024?
Because we start and end our day in the bathroom, it is meant to serve as a respite from daily life, particularly in a hospitality setting. Considering this, wellness will continue to be at the forefront of the industry, whether that is achieved through warm inviting finishes, technology that enhances experiences and provides both comfort and ease of use, and, of course—sustainability always, in terms of conservation, respect for the environment, durability and timeless design.
4. What is the biggest challenge you have overcome over the past year?
Growing pains. Making sure our company's internal technology was able to support our growth. As a result we invested in upgrades to solve the challenge and ensure we could support both our internal team and our clients efficiently and swiftly.
5. How have you incorporated environmental, social and governance efforts into your hospitality operations?
Environmental
- Water Conservation: We offer low-flow showerheads and faucets, along with dual-flush toilets, to significantly reduce water usage in hotels.
- Sustainable Materials: We manufacture fixtures from recyclable materials for bathroom accessories.
- Energy Efficiency: We offer sensor-activated faucets to help hotels reduce energy consumption. Water
- Treatment and Recycling: Our brands have developed water treatment systems specifically for hospitality settings, allowing for greywater recycling for uses like irrigation.
Social
- Ethical Sourcing: We prioritize fair labor practices and responsible sourcing of materials.
- Employee Wellness Programs: Our manufacturers invest in employee well-being and healthy work environments.
Governance
- Transparency: We publish sustainability reports that outline ESG goals and progress.
- Corporate Governance: We ensure ethical business practices and adherence to regulations.
- Risk Management: We proactively identify and mitigate environmental and social risks within the supply chain and operations.
6. What are you most excited about accomplishing over the next year?
Meeting new people in our valued community and sharing with them the products and solutions we are so very passionate about. We value the trust the specifications community puts in us, and we are proud to offer great flexibility and customization to help our specifiers achieve their goals. We very much look forward to sharing the beauty of our timeless European fixtures with the North American market and seeing projects through to the end!
7. What is the value of meeting hospitality buyers one on one?
Face-to-face interaction allows us to build a personal connection with the buyer, fostering trust and understanding of their specific needs. This is crucial in the hospitality industry where design and functionality play a major role in guest experience. It's also an opportunity to delve deeper into their challenges and showcase how our products can provide targeted solutions. Direct conversations also allow us to ask insightful questions and gain a deeper understanding of the buyer's priorities and decision-making process. These types of personalized interactions ultimately lead to the development of strong, long-term relationships with hospitality buyers, for whom we have great respect and admiration!
Hotec Design will take place June 17-20 at the PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Applications are open for buyers and suppliers.