After a few difficult years for hotels, recent reports are very positive for 2004. According to Brian Ferguson, vice president of marketing with Smith Travel Research, he is seeing positive movement in occupancy, RevPAR and ADR over a 28-day moving average during the past few months.

This encouraging news combined with the U.S. gross domestic product soaring to over 8 percent in the third quarter, is further evidence that the economy and hospitality industry are ready to expand in 2004!

HITEC is back as well! The largest, hospitality industry technology exposition and conference will be held in Dallas, Texas, June 21- 24, 2004. www.hitec.org

• What's New in 2004? Expanded attendee marketing including advertising in US and international hospitality industry publications, promotions with hotel, club and restaurant associations. The trade show will include a section for consultant's booths, and the relocation of the cybernet center and exhibitor tutorials to inside the exhibit hall to help increase attendee traffic.
• HITEC focuses on hospitality technology. The people you will meet come to the conference with the same goal — to see, learn about and buy hospitality technology. According to a survey of HITEC 2003 attendees, 67 percent planned to make a purchase.
• Reach decision makers. More than 4,000 hospitality professionals are expected to attend. They include: senior management, financial, technical and marketing personnel; investors, educators and consultants from hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, casinos and other hospitality-related organizations.
• Dedicated show hours and high-caliber education. Attendees nd exhibitors are given the opportunity to learn more about the technologies displayed on the show floor by attending education sessions each morning, prior to the exhibit hall opening.

Don't miss the HITEC opportunity of the year, exhibit your latest hospitality technology solutions at HITEC 2004

HITEC EXHIBIT SPACE IS ALMOST SOLD OUT!

If you would like to reserve exhibit space, contact Lance Peterson at (800) 448-3239, ext. 29 or (512) 249-5333, ext. 29 or via e-mail at exhibit@hftp.org. To view a layout of our exhibit hall, please visit us at www.expocadvr.com/shows/hftp/2004hte.html

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,000 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC and ONHTEC. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hotel Accountants.

HFTP®, HITEC®, and LOHTEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. © 2002 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.