I don’t think I can adequately express how exciting last week was to me —the first-ever CYBER HITEC. I was amazed by the keynote speakers, the phenomenal education sessions, the high-tech booths of our business partners and getting to meet some of the women leading in hospitality technology today.

The 2020-2021 Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) have officially begun their term at the start of this month. The association leaders represent a wide variety of segments within the hospitality industry, including: clubs, academics, hotels, finance, technology and more.

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has just wrapped up the first week of its premiere virtual event CYBER HITEC®, with the first-three days featuring live interaction. The event hosted over 1,840 registered participants engaging in hospitality technology-focused education sessions, 18 virtual exhibit halls and multiple networking opportunities.

Written by: Claire Kenney, Cyber HITEC Guest Blogger Each year, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) facilitates ongoing learning opportunities for hospitality finance and tech professionals worldwide.

The year 2020 has been a difficult one – not least for those in leadership who have had to bear the weight of tough, quick-thinking decisions. HFTP Global President Michael Levie, CHTP found himself in the unique position of leading HFTP’s prestigious group of board members and guiding the association during an international pandemic, a crisis which has hit the hospitality industry particularly hard.

In the years ahead, how will a hotel’s infrastructure be able to satisfy the associate's and guest’s connectivity expectations? Join this HFTP Europe Hangout to hear how the new WiFi 6 Standards and other advances in wireless technology like 5G, 802.

These words — inspire, educate, challenge — define the goal of this year’s Cyber HITEC session, “How Women in Hospitality Technology Shape the Industry.” The panel members leading this session come from different education, professional and growth paths.

One of the most compelling aspects of attending the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology event brand are the brilliant minds who present the education program. These established industry experts are sharing their knowledge on an array of topics important to hospitality finance and technology professionals: from data security to operating investments, digital transformation to disaster response, team building to payment trends.

How can you forecast for meetings, business conferences, weddings and special holiday gatherings like those that take place at Christmas when you have no solid idea what restrictions the future holds.

The latest HFTP Europe Hangout featured Paul Nisbett, finance director at Valor Hospitality, presenting "CFO Challenges in the Current Environment, Part 2." The session took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2020.