The Big Easy: #IDHospitalityGiants 2014 Kicks Off

Hospitality design exists to “create experiences outside of ourselves,” said Interior Design president Mark Strauss at the formal welcome to the magazine’s third-annual Giants of Hospitality Design conference, held this year in New Orleans. So far, the event has certainly adhered to that mission. Mad Men actor and Big Easy native Bryan Batt was on the scene to share his top 10 local design sights and join the 100 some designers, architects and sponsors at dinner at Arnaud’s—following a private parade led by Interior Design editor in chief Cindy Allen and a surprise marching band. The sense of community was palpable—here are photo highlights from the first day of Giants of Hospitality Design 2014.

See the slideshow from the second day of Giants of Hospitality Design here.