In our global economy, hospitality design in Asia has expanded in China exponentially in the last few years. Many US, Canada and UK based design firms are doing regular work in the Asian market and opening regional offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore and Shanghai. With the growth of the A&D community, it got us at NEWH wondering if we too should expand into Asia.
As opportunity presented itself, we jumped on the invitation from Hospitality Design to attend their first HD Asia conference in Hong Kong. NEWH Executive Director, Shelia Lohmiller and International President, Julia Marks, attended the conference and did a little sightseeing along the way.
Congratulations to the HD Staff especially Liz Sommerville and Elizabeth Grimsley on a job well done. The HD Asia conference was well put together with some very interesting design discussions. And congratulations to our own Robert Polacek from NEWH San Francisco chapter for participating in the panel Restaurant Design: From Fast Casual to Fine Dining, What do Guests Want Today? Additionally, Corporate Partner Kohler hosted a networking event at their Hong Kong showroom. All in all it was a very educational and entertaining two days in Hong Kong.
Shelia and Julia had several very successful meetings during their stay with the local community to discuss the idea of an NEWH Asia Pacific chapter based in Hong Kong. With a number of possibilities on the horizon you will hear more about our expansion in the coming months.
 Julia Marks
President, designoverstock.com
President, NEWH, Inc.
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 Julia Monk, BBG-BBGM |
 Julia Monk, BBG-BBGM Ricco DeBlank Sun Hung Kai Properties Shannon Kim, GT Land Holdings, Ltd. |