IT Spend Survey Finds that a Majority of its Respondents will Attend HITEC in 2004

Austin, Texas; A recent 2004 hotel technology spend survey found that 85 percent of its respondents were definitely going to attend HITEC 2004, June 21-24, at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The survey, conducted by The Duck LLC, focused on senior management and technology executives at hotel companies based in North America.

"With 85 percent of our survey respondents indicating that they plan to attend HITEC 2004 in Dallas, it is the Industry's 'must do' technology conference," said Danny Hudson, president of The Duck LLC. "The conference is held in high esteem across the globe and is a great vehicle for hoteliers looking to purchase technology. For technology companies, the show provides an excellent attendee demographic and widespread industry exposure."

The 32-year old HITEC, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, is the largest and most comprehensive technology conference in the hospitality industry.

The survey results infer that the industry mindset believes that business has stabilized and is improving, but remains cautious in its approach. This careful positivism is displayed by hospitality IT budgets for 2004, with 35 percent having increased their budgets from 2003 and 43 percent maintaining their budgets at that level.

With the industry focused on smart spending, HITEC offers a valuable means for becoming acquainted with the most current industry offerings and their benefits by offering an exposition and four-day education conference all at once. Attendees can visit with over 250 hospitality technology vendors who provide products and services for data management, telecommunications, guest services, energy management and control, fire safety, audiovisual, Internet access, time and labor management, and a variety of computer hardware and software. The education conference features industry experts covering a spectrum of topics from the basics to the cutting edge. For more information about HITEC go to the HFTP web site or call (800) 646-4387.

The Duck LLC is a business strategy, marketing and technology firm for hotel companies and technology companies that want to lead their competition. The company has a flexible business model, which brings together best-of-class project-focused teams; 19 years of corporate strategy expertise; and a rich network of professionals seasoned in a wide variety of disciplines. The Duck LLC is committed to helping clients become long-term smart as they evolve new products and business directions to protect their future profitability.

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 ONHTEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.