Merav Bustan Reveals Hotel Business Stage Design Details

The Independent Hotel Show has partnered with Merav Bustan Design to create the Hotel Business Stage for its 2026 event. The stage, in collaboration with eviivo, aims to be an immersive experience, drawing visitors into a space that reflects the evolving nature of hospitality design. This partnership shows the show’s commitment to showcasing innovative and forward-thinking concepts in the industry.

A Gateway to Hospitality’s Future

Founder and Creative Director Merav Bustan describes the stage as an “architectural gateway” with layered forms, creating depth and a sense of arrival. The design draws inspiration from Art Deco geometry, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Bustan explains that this approach allows the stage to feel both timeless and modern, bridging the past with the future of hospitality interiors. The gateway concept is not just visual but experiential, intended to guide attendees seamlessly into the heart of the event while supporting a sense of anticipation and engagement.

The stage’s palette features deep burgundy, terracotta, and soft blush tones, complemented by textured surfaces and integrated lighting. This approach, Bustan explains, ensures a “rich and sophisticated” yet inviting atmosphere. The colors were chosen to evoke warmth and luxury, while the textures add a tactile dimension that enhances the overall sensory experience. Integrated lighting further amplifies the design, casting shadows and highlights that bring the architectural elements to life, creating a dynamic and immersive environment.

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Balancing Form and Function

Practical considerations were key in the stage’s design. The layout prioritizes sightlines, screen visibility, and speaker movement, ensuring the stage serves its primary purpose as a platform for conversation. Bustan emphasizes that the design had to be as functional as it is beautiful, with every element carefully considered to support the event’s programming. The architectural framework is designed to frame the speakers without overshadowing them, ensuring they remain the focal point while the stage provides a visually compelling backdrop.

For those attending the show, the stage’s design may offer a glimpse into the evolving nature of hospitality interiors. It’s a space where storytelling, emotion, and sustainability converge, reflecting the industry’s shift towards creating memorable experiences. Bustan notes that the stage is a microcosm of the broader trends in hospitality, where design is increasingly about crafting narratives that resonate with guests on an emotional level. By integrating sustainability and functionality, the stage exemplifies how these elements can coexist harmoniously in modern hospitality design.

The design’s impact extends beyond aesthetics. Bustan highlights the use of recycled materials, including a bespoke lighting installation made from recycled plastic, showcasing how sustainability can enhance design richness. This commitment to sustainability is not just a nod to current trends but a core principle of Merav Bustan Design’s philosophy. By incorporating recycled materials, the stage demonstrates that eco-friendly choices can contribute to, rather than compromise, the overall aesthetic and functional quality of a design.

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Sustainability and Collaboration

Sustainability is a core theme, with the stage designed for reuse and adaptation beyond the event. This modular approach ensures that the stage can be disassembled and reconfigured for future shows, minimizing waste and maximizing its lifespan. Bustan explains that this design strategy aligns with the broader goals of the hospitality industry, where sustainability and resource efficiency are becoming increasingly important. By creating a stage that can evolve and adapt, the design team is setting a precedent for sustainable event and interior design practices.

Supplier partnerships play a key role in bringing the stage to life, with ORAC providing Art Deco-inspired flexible mouldings. These collaborations demonstrate how innovative materials and efficient design can achieve complex architectural details, a key consideration in hospitality projects where budget and timeline constraints are common. Bustan highlights that working with suppliers who share a commitment to innovation and sustainability has been essential in realizing the vision for the stage. The use of ORAC’s flexible mouldings, for example, allowed the team to create detailed architectural details that would have been cost-prohibitive or time-consuming with traditional methods.

Redefining Hospitality Design

The Hotel Business Stage at the Independent Hotel Show 2026 promises to be more than a backdrop for discussions. It’s a physical manifestation of the show’s theme, ‘Shaping Tomorrow’, offering insights into the future of hospitality design and the experiences it aims to create. Bustan envisions the stage as a catalyst for conversation and inspiration, encouraging attendees to rethink the possibilities of design in the hospitality industry. By embodying the principles of innovation, sustainability, and emotional connection, the stage not only reflects the current state of hospitality design but also points the way forward, inspiring designers, operators, and guests alike to imagine what the future could hold.