1 5 8 INTERV IEW Showcasing sustainability and innovation Susan Sadolin speaks with Richard Humphreys about the idea behind Innovation Lounges and why they will help to drive collaboration and a greener future for the cruise industry The Scandinavian approach to design is one centred on quality, sustainability and the tradition of collecting items that can be passed down through the generations. Danish designer Susan Sadolin, CEO of Shores Global and Innovation Lounges, has advocated for the cruise industry to adhere to those pillars throughout her career. She has worked in the sector for more than a decade and has always prioritised exploring what sustainability means for the cruise industry. “Before the pandemic hit in 2020, most companies in the cruise industry had a team travelling around the world visiting designers, shipyards, owners and others,” says Sadolin. “Not only was this time consuming and expensive, but there was also little regard about how they were impacting the environment. It was time to change.” Around this time, Shores moved into its new headquarters in Miami, Florida, and developed the idea for an Innovation Lounge. Curated by marine interior design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden, the 600-square-metre Innovation Lounge features various spaces that replicate those typically found onboard a cruise ship, such as a suite, stateroom, bathroom, balcony, bar and restaurant, reception, retail area, spa, and a pool and open deck. Multiple vendors have been invited to showcase their sustainable, marine-grade products in these areas, including artwork, lighting, textiles, floor coverings, deck equipment, and much more. “The Innovation Lounge is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the cruise and hospitality industries, providing a shared showroom where stakeholders in the hospitality and cruise ship interior design industries can exhibit their most innovative and sustainable products,” says Sadolin. “Cruise line decisionmakers can book physical or virtual visits to the lounge and access resources from experts to help their companies join the circular economy. “We aim to redesign the space every two years and diversify the group of suppliers and members, choosing partners based on their industry knowledge, passion for innovation and their commitment to becoming circular companies. Tillberg Design of Sweden will update the Miami lounge again in autumn 2022.” The lounge opened at the start of 2021 and Shores began hosting events and inviting clients for one-to-one meetings. This period was tricky, says “ The Innovation Lounge is definitely the future of sourcing and purchasing in the cruise industry”
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