A lesson Roger Thomas learned from Steve Wynn probably best explains why nearly 5,000 hospitality professionals turned out for the Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference in Miami. “Steve saw design as one of the greatest marketing tools of hospitality,” said the executive vice president of Wynn Design and Development during the keynote conversation at the September show.

Judging by his exquisite interior designs at the Wynn Las Vegas, the Mirage, the Bellagio and the upcoming Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Thomas has done a pretty good job of marketing for his boss. He's known Wynn, a family friend, since he was 18 and began working for him when he was 30. Now at 56, Thomas is ready to move on. He said he promised himself he wouldn't live his entire life in Las Vegas, so he's stepping down from his position and plans to spend more time in New York and Europe, working on product designs and potentially other hospitality projects. He emphasized it was not retirement, just a change, and that he could and probably would do more work for his buddy down the road, maybe even in Europe.

The rest of the sessions touched on all aspects of boutique properties, from architect Anthony DiGuiseppe and his great design on a shoestring budget at the Hotel Mt. Charleston to Cheryl Rowley's lessons on branding boutique hotels with Palomar and Monaco.

The expo featured more than 600 exhibitors offering everything from accessories and amenities to wall coverings and windows.

Products and displays that caught my eye included Symmons' Design Studio, the 3D printer in the booth was impressive; Neo-Metro's ultra-stylish plumbing products; Durkan's Mandalas Collection designed in collaboration with street painter Tracy Lee Stum; Lutron's efficient light control system, Stanza; Jancik Arts International's breathtaking stained glass designs and FabTex's bold Genesis Fabric Collection.

Two new products looking to gain traction in the hospitality industry stood out. Kurt Jordan, who left a job on Wall Street (just in time apparently) to start MosquitoCurtains.com, had a compelling product and story with his innovative and inexpensive solution to pesky insects. The custom-made curtains appeared to be a very easy and attractive alternative to permanently screening in porches.

Moving inside a hotel, the Ezi-Maid Bed Lifting System would probably be a housekeepers' best friend. The fully automated system raises the bed, which eases the difficulty in making it and cleaning underneath it.

Show organizers said the event attracted more than 4,900 professionals, a three-percent increase from a year ago, but many exhibitors felt attendance was down. Bob Thomas of Signature Hospitality Carpets, known for its custom-designing capabilities, opted not to exhibit this year, but he said walking the floor and looking at new products and meeting with new and existing clients were just as effective. The economy certainly didn't help attendance, but the show still had its fair share of impressive products and plenty of interested spectators.

On deck next is the HD Expo & Conference in Las Vegas from May 14-16 and HD Boutique is scheduled to return to South Beach next Sept. 14-15.