Some quick thoughts after a long trip back to Cleveland (is it possible to fly through LaGuardia without “traffic delays?” I spent more time on the tarmac than in flight)…

HD Boutique is a lot like the HD Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, just on a smaller scale. The Miami version of the event caters to boutique hotels: by definition, smaller and more unique. The three-day event was definitely smaller–the projected 4,000 attendees looked like a little over half that, at least that was the feel of several exhibitors (economy, anyone?). There was some uniqueness, but honestly I expected more at the South Beach locale. I guess many of the companies wisely chose the larger event in Vegas for their splashy debuts and displays.

Still, it was a good show. Some of the sessions were interesting and informative–the Q&A with Steve Wynn design guru Roger Thomas for one–and there were a few products and displays that stood out on the exhibition floor.

For a more complete report, check back here and in the November issue of the magazine for more highlights.

I’ll be leaving for Miami Tuesday for the HD Boutique Expo and Conference. In addition to some warm and sunny weather (I hope), I’m also looking forward to seeing the latest in hospitality design, both at the expo and conference sessions. I’m intrigued to hear the opening conversation with design innovator Roger Thomas, as well as see the designs unveiled at the sessions titled “Wave of the Future” and “Radical Innovations.”

Anyway, if you’re one of my seven loyal readers and you’re attending the show, look me up. I’d love to meet you. Check back Friday for a recap of what caught my eye.

Congress and the rest of the U.S. travel industry could learn a lesson from the Hawaiian tourism community. Late last week, the Hawaiian Tourism Authority voted to spend an additional $12 million by next spring to help draw visitors back to the islands. The funds are on top of $54 million already earmarked for tourism marketing this year.

This quasi-government agency created in 1988 to oversee spending of hotel tax monies saw a problem—a steep drop-off in visitor arrivals during the first half of the year—and almost immediately sought a solution. Meanwhile, the rest of the U.S. travel industry continues to wallow in its efforts to get Congress and various Administrations to get behind a plan—any plan—to get the federal government to promote travel to the U.S.

The latest effort, the Travel Promotion Act, is wending its way through both branches of Congress and may be the best shot the industry has to finally get some respect in Washington. The cleverly crafted legislation calls for international visitors to pay $10 a head to enter the country, with the funds going to both promote tourism to the U.S. and to communicate U.S. security and entry policies to potential visitors. The plan will cost taxpayers nothing and also bolster the country’s concerns over border security.

If you have a chance, pick up the phone or dash off an e-mail message to your senator or representative, telling him and/or her why this legislation makes so much sense.

Hawaii didn’t become a tourism powerhouse just because it has great beaches, fabulous hotels and the vaunted aloha spirit. It takes a lot of hard work, marketing muscle and, most of all, tons of money. Listen up, Congress.