Successful Trade Fair Premiere for skai® Evida Fiber in the USA

Luxury hotels, 5-star resorts and cruise ships – the focus of the “Hotel & Resort Design South” (HRDS) trade fair – which took place on June 6 and 7 in Miami, USA, at the same time as the “Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas” (CSIE) – was clear: to present products for the premium hotel segment and, in doing so, to connect manufacturers, designers, architects and major hotel chains with one another in the form of a networking platform. Many renowned suppliers of the corresponding industries were on site. Continental took the opportunity to be there at the trade fair premiere and presented not only what is currently the most sustainable product in the range – skai® Evida Fiber – but also staynu® technology.

At the cutting edge

The HRDS was held for the first time this year. The proximity to the CSIE was deliberately chosen, with the aim of making the best possible use of synergies between the cruise industry and the hospitality design community. Accordingly, the exhibition was also flanked by numerous panel discussions. Sustainability was also one of the most important topics at this event. And Continental was at the cutting edge here with its skai® Evida Fiber exhibit, since 90% of the components used in the high-quality upholstery fabric are made from natural and renewable raw materials. Thanks to high abrasion resistance, light fastness and durability, the material is ideal for the demanding hotel and cruise sector, in which furniture is exposed to particular stress.

“skai® Evida Fiber was a big hit with visitors to the show,” says Norbert Müller, Business Manager for the Interior area at Continental. Sustainability is currently one of the biggest and most important topics on the market. “With skai® Evida Fiber, we have a super product here that impresses with its intrinsic values such as sustainability as well as easy cleaning and represents the solution to a problem for the demanding hotel and cruise industry.”

staynu® technology inspires enthusiasm

Also presented at the show was staynu® Technology, which uses a novel, particularly resistant surface finish to ensure that surfaces are highly dirt-repellent and extremely hard-wearing. Ballpoint pen or permanent marker can be easily removed with the appropriate cleaning products, for example. It offers ideal surface protection for frequently used furniture that should look like new even after many years. The staynu® technology was presented at the trade fair along with the skai® Toronto EN material, which was well received by customers from the hotel sector in particular, with many new valuable contacts being made as a result, explains Müller, looking back on the event.

The CSIE is held twice a year. The first edition has now been held in the USA, and the format will be coming to Europe in the winter. Continental will be involved in this edition as well. The date is already set. The cruise trade fair will be held in London on November 29 and 30, 2023.