LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Following the success of last year's Hospy awards, NEWH plans to up the ante for this October's ceremony—with attendance expected to exceed last year's 500.

''Our chapter is broadening its horizons this year,'' said Laura Frankenberg, NEWH Las Vegas Chapter president and president of Las Vegas-based buy/design, inc. ''There will be categories from hotel lobbies, to suites to restaurants to typical rooms to spas to clubs, etc.''

The awards will honor the people and projects of the Southern Nevada hospitality design scene.

''The difference in this year's presentations is that we are opening it up to firms outside of Las Vegas who wish to enter a project completed in Las Vegas (within the last two years), as well as to those (firms) based in Las Vegas who may enter a project from anywhere,'' Frankenberg said.

The awards will be held in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas during the evening of October 21, 2006.

According to Frankenberg, ''This year's event will have fewer speeches and far more action.''

''Hospy's is an elegant evening of networking and of enjoying the projects of our friends that we may not have been able to see. It gives us a chance to cheer on the successes of our peers.''