HBG Design Named a 2026 Top Workplace

HBG Design is proud to announce that we have been named a 2026 Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal, marking the 12th consecutive year our firm has received this distinguished honor in the Memphis metro area.

The award is especially meaningful because it is based entirely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential, third-party survey administered by Energage. The survey measures key components of the employee experience, including feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute — benchmarks that reflect the strength of our culture from the inside out.

As Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, shared:

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Where We Shined in 2026

In this year’s firm-wide survey, HBG saw its three largest increases in engagement scores in:

  • Employee well-being
  • Meaningfulness of work
  • Work-life balance

These gains reflect a focused and intentional effort to strengthen our internal culture — ensuring that as our portfolio of transformative hospitality and gaming projects grows, so does the experience of the people designing them.

A Culture Built with Intention

“Being recognized in the top tier of workplaces in Memphis is right where we want to be — where everything we do internally communicates the HBG experience: meaningful work on projects that create impact, work that aligns with our employees’ values, providing an enriching employee experience that prioritizes well-being, inclusiveness, and engagement, and creating a place where the work-life and home-life of our employees generate the kind of balance that energizes and galvanizes every single day,” said Nathan Peak, HBG Design's President.

What Our Team Says

The true measure of a Top Workplace is the voice of its people. This year’s survey responses reflect a culture defined by growth, trust, and innovation:

  • “It’s a forward-thinking company.”
  • “HBG excels in pairing employees’ passions with their strengths, enabling us to craft a career uniquely tailored to our gifts.”
  • “We are a growing and dynamic firm that is achieving a lot of success.”
  • “I appreciate the design innovation within projects and the trust and responsibility awarded to employees.”
  • “What makes us such a great firm is the dedication to professional growth of staff and genuine commitment to work-life balance.”
  • “Leadership is listening to our employees’ concerns and focusing on solutions.”
  • “Culture is a priority. There is great collaboration and trust across team members. I feel empowered and fully engaged.”

Designing Impact — Inside and Out

For HBG Design, workplace culture is not separate from design excellence — it fuels it. The same intentionality we bring to shaping immersive hospitality and gaming destinations is applied internally to building a workplace where people thrive.

Twelve years as a Top Workplace is more than a milestone. It’s a reflection of who we are — and a commitment to continuing to evolve, listen, and lead with purpose.

We are grateful to our team for making HBG Design a place where great design — and great careers — are built.

by LINDSAY GRAY

HBG Design Featured on No Vacancy: Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels

Regional casino resorts have evolved—and today’s most successful properties are no longer competing solely on gaming floors or square footage. They are competing as full-scale destination hotels, designed to extend stays, increase spend, and drive repeat visitation.

That shift is the focus of a recent episode of the No Vacancy podcast, hosted by Glenn Haussman with guest co-host Dr. Suzanne Bagnera, featuring HBG Design leaders Kelly DeVine, Principal, and Emily Marshall, NCIDQ, NEWH, IIDA, Principal and Interior Design Leader.

In the episode, Kelly and Emily discuss how design, operations, and profitability are inseparable in modern regional casino resorts—and why performance-driven design must start long before finishes and aesthetics are considered.

From Regional Casino to Destination Resort

Using Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan as a case study, the conversation explores how regional gaming properties now compete with Las Vegas–style destination resorts. Guests expect more than gaming alone: hospitality, dining, entertainment, and thoughtfully designed hotel experiences all play a role in attracting longer stays and repeat visits.

Kelly and Emily emphasize that this evolution requires a fundamental shift in how projects are approached—one that prioritizes operational strategy and guest behavior from day one.

Designing for Gaming Performance

One of the key insights from the episode is how hotel design directly influences gaming behavior. Guest rooms must strike a careful balance: they should feel comfortable and welcoming, but not so indulgent that guests disengage from the casino floor and resort amenities.

This intentional approach ensures that the hotel supports—not competes with—the core gaming experience, reinforcing the overall business model of the resort.

Operations First: The Engine Behind the Experience

At HBG Design, successful casino resorts begin with operations. Kelly and Emily discuss why elements such as:

  • Housekeeping flow and back-of-house efficiency
  • Durability and material selection
  • Turnover time and maintenance realities

are often more critical to long-term performance than purely visual considerations.

By designing the “engine” before the exterior experience, properties are better positioned to operate efficiently, control costs, and deliver consistent guest satisfaction over time.

Programming Spaces for Repeat Visitation

Beyond the hotel and gaming floor, the episode highlights the importance of programming spaces that keep guests coming back—especially local and regional visitors. Flexible entertainment venues, food and beverage offerings, and social spaces all contribute to building loyalty and extending engagement beyond a single visit.

Design as a Business Tool

Ultimately, the conversation reinforces a core HBG Design philosophy: design is not a vanity exercise—it is a business tool. When design decisions are grounded in operations, guest behavior, and measurable outcomes, they can directly support revenue growth and long-term success.

We’re proud to see Kelly DeVine and Emily Marshall share their expertise on No Vacancy and contribute to an industry-wide conversation about performance-driven design in today’s casino resorts.

Listen to the full episode of No Vacancy: Episode 1009 – Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels to hear the complete discussion and insights.

 

by LINDSAY GRAY

Strengthening Your Hotel Brand Through Design

Every Detail, Every Touchpoint: Strengthening Your Hotel Brand Through Design

By HBG Design

In hospitality development, hotel brand alignment is more than meeting design standards—it’s about creating spaces that capture the essence of a brand while elevating its market presence. For over 45 years, HBG Design has been the trusted partner of leading hotel brands, delivering environments that not only meet operational goals but strengthen market position.

Our work spans almost every segment of the hospitality market. We’ve:

  • Developed vertical prototypes for Holiday Inn that have shaped the hotel brand’s global identity for decades.
  • Helped launch Hilton’s extended-stay Homewood Suites hotel brand, creating its initial design DNA.
  • Designed Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Texan Resorts (now part of Marriott), redefining conference resort and destination resort experiences for group and leisure travelers.
  • Crafted boutique properties for Canopy by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton, bringing locally inspired storytelling to life within each hotel brand.
  • Delivered brand-aligned refresh designs for IHG flags through comprehensive Property Improvement Plans.
  • Enhanced guest experience at luxury resorts nationwide, including high-profile tribal resort developments that have become regional tourism anchors.
Canopy by Hilton

Our longevity in the industry isn’t just about years—it’s about consistent delivery, deep market understanding, and the ability to adapt. We’ve navigated multiple hospitality cycles, evolving guest expectations, and shifting operational models—always staying ahead of trends and technology to keep our clients’ properties relevant and profitable.

With offices in Memphis, Dallas, and San Diego, we serve clients nationwide, offering local market insight backed by national expertise. Our collaborative process ensures every project is uniquely tailored to the brand’s DNA and the developer’s business goals, whether designing new builds, refreshing existing assets, or developing scalable prototypes.

In an industry where brand perception is everything, HBG Design has earned the trust of the most recognized names in hospitality—because we understand that great design doesn’t just reflect a brand; it reinforces it at every guest touchpoint.

by LINDSAY GRAY

Choosing a Hospitality Design Partner: 7 Questions to Ask

7 Questions Every Developer Should Ask When Choosing the Right Hospitality Design Partner

By HBG Design

In today’s competitive hospitality market, a hotel or resort’s design is more than a visual statement; it’s a strategic business decision that impacts guest satisfaction, operational performance, and return on investment for years to come.

At HBG Design, with offices in Memphis, Dallas, and San Diego, we’ve partnered with developers nationwide for over 45 years, delivering hotels and resorts that not only look exceptional but also perform at the highest level. Here are seven critical questions every hospitality developer should ask when choosing an architecture and interior design firm—and how HBG answers the call.

  1. Do they understand my property type and brand standards?

From vertical prototypes for Holiday Inn to flagship resorts for Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, HBG has deep experience across every hospitality segment. Our designers know how to navigate brand approval processes and ensure your property meets—and exceeds—brand expectations.

  1. Can they create a design that both ‘wows’ guests and aligns with operational needs?

We blend creativity with operational insight, designing spaces that are as efficient as they are beautiful. Guestrooms, F&B venues, event spaces, spas, and back-of-house areas are all planned with functionality, durability, and long-term maintenance in mind.

  1. Will they design for strong ROI?

Every design choice we make considers your bottom line—from optimizing revenue-generating spaces to enhancing guest flow. Our projects are strategically designed to attract repeat business and improve operational efficiency, resulting in better performance metrics for owners.

  1. Do they have a proven, collaborative process?

Our workshop-driven design method engages owners, operators, and brand stakeholders early, accelerating decisions and reducing costly changes later. It’s been so effective that one of the world’s largest and most recognized hospitality brands formally adopted our workshop process into their own internal development standards—bringing HBG’s approach to hundreds of projects across their portfolio.

  1. Can they deliver on time and within budget?

HBG’s integrated architecture and interior design teams streamline coordination, minimize delays, and maintain budget discipline without compromising quality—key to hitting your opening date and financial targets.

  1. Are they forward-thinking and trend-aware?

We stay ahead of evolving guest expectations by incorporating wellness, sustainability, technology integration, and regional influences into each project. Our goal: to keep your property competitive for the next decade and beyond.

  1. Will they be a long-term partner, not just a vendor?

With decades-long relationships in the industry, HBG is more than a service provider—we’re a strategic ally committed to your success from concept to opening, and beyond.

The Bottom Line:

Choosing the right hospitality design partner is more than selecting a talented architect or interior designer; it’s about finding a team that understands your market, your brand, and your business objectives. At HBG Design, we’ve built our reputation on delivering hospitality environments that are guest-focused, brand-aligned, operationally sound, and financially successful.

If you’re ready to transform your next project from vision to value, HBG Design is ready to help you lead the market.

by LINDSAY GRAY