Paulette Sarmiento, interior designer at Arcsine, is set to attend Hotec Design, an annual conference presented by Questex, the parent company of Hotel Management. At the conference—scheduled this year for June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess—buyers meet one-on-one with hospitality-focused suppliers to learn about new products and services and to keep up-to-date on emerging trends.
Ahead of the conference, Sarmiento talked about challenges facing the supply chain, AI in design and building relationships with manufacturers.
1. What are you most excited about for your company in 2025 (and beyond)?
This year, I am most excited about our office renovation. ... We are thrilled to have a new space that’s more functional, modern and inviting not only for us but also for our clients and partners.
2. What are some of the biggest design-related changes you’ve seen in the hotel industry over the past year?
With the recent challenges in the supply chain, our clients are becoming more aware about the importance of being sustainable. From repurposed furniture to sourcing materials locally, this has been a critical topic of discussion and education. Focusing on aesthetics and functionality goes beyond, and design decisions now involve a deeper consideration of sustainability practices.
3. How are you incorporating new technology, especially AI, into your business?
AI certainly has been pivotal in our office and quite efficient for some design-related explorations. In our office, we use AI to develop design narratives that can enhance our design process. This is a topic we continue to educate ourselves on while maintaining a balance so that our creativity and design methodology is still at the core.
4. What steps are you taking to improve sustainability in the industry?
I personally try to work with manufacturers that have sustainability practices in place while simultaneously prioritizing the importance of sourcing materials locally and selecting durable, long-lasting products. I am responsible for sourcing the materials, so these sustainable practices start with me at the forefront of every design decision-making process before I present these selections to our clients.
5. What are some trends you think will have staying power beyond 2025?
Some trends that will have staying power beyond 2025 include technology integration, sustainability, and personalized guest experiences. Mobile check-ins and smart room technologies are becoming more standardized to allow for seamless guest interactions, and green practices will continue to be critical in today’s rapidly changing environment. Tailored amenities combined with innovation are the key to continuous growth and success in this evolving hospitality industry.
6. What is the biggest challenge you have overcome over the past year? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced over the past year was studying for my NCIDQ certification. Working full-time and studying for the exams was a very demanding process considering the extensive scope of the material. However, I created a study plan that worked well with my learning style and ultimately was able to optimize my study time. After spending a whole year studying, I finally received my NCIDQ certification and couldn’t be prouder of this significant accomplishment.
7. What do you hope to accomplish at Hotec this year?
My goal at Hotec this year is to learn about new products, trends, and most importantly gain valuable insight into the challenges the hospitality industry is facing and the steps our community is taking to overcome these challenges. I am also looking forward to building new relationships with design visionaries that share the same love and passion I have for the hospitality industry and hopefully this can lead to future collaborations or opportunities.
Hotec Design will take place June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess.