HBG's Ross Burch on the 2026 HD Summit, San Diego
HBG’s Dallas office Interior Design Studio Manager, Ross Burch, was excited to attend the HD Summit 2026 in San Diego on March 11-13, joining hospitality leaders for educational sessions, networking, and conversations focused on the future of hotel and resort design.
Set within the beautifully restored Hotel del Coronado, the 2026 HD Summit gathered hospitality leaders, designers, and innovators for several days of inspiration along the San Diego coast. The iconic resort offered a setting that perfectly reflected the summit’s theme of honoring history while shaping the future of hospitality design.
Highlights included powerful insights from Treger Strasberg, founder of Humble Design, whose work demonstrates the profound social impact design can have, along with candid leadership perspectives from Emmy Award winning Producer, Lindsay Shookus. The summit concluded with an unforgettable live performance by artist David Garibaldi, blending art, energy, and storytelling into a powerful closing moment.
Together, the speakers and setting created a memorable experience that celebrated creativity, community, and the evolving role of hospitality design.
Thank you so much to Alissa Ponchione, and the entire HD Team that tirelessly worked to make this conference so intentional and impactful!
Ross Burch
HBG Design Dallas Office Interior Design Studio Leader
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
