HITEC 2006 Registration Opens, Event Highlight to be HFTP’s GUESTROOM 2010

AUSTIN, TX; Registration for the 34th Annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is now available, with this year’s event highlight to be HFTP’s GUESTROOM 2010. The model guestroom will be part of a 90 x 40 foot pavilion featuring some of the latest and near-future technologies for the modern hotel room now available.

"HFTP's goal is to be the information source for the hospitality technology industry," said HFTP International Secretary Jules Sieburgh, CHTP. "In pursuit of this goal, the HFTP Board of Directors felt it was the association's obligation to fully explore the possibilities that are usually presented in pieces at HITEC. Guestroom 2010 will be a realistic model demonstrating the numerous concepts that circulate at HITEC, viewed by HITEC attendees — the industry's major players."

Included alongside GUESTROOM 2010 in the HITEC Exhibit Hall will be displays of concepts that are attempting to be integrated into the hospitality industry, as well as some glimpses of technology yet to come.

"When designing Guestroom 2010, HFTP will conduct an exhaustive global search for the industry's cutting-edge and future technology," said Wolfe. "Our intent is for Guestroom 2010 to be an important reference for the industry and the possibility exists that we will take the display to other venues."

HITEC 2006, the largest hospitality technology exposition and conference, will be held June 19–22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Produced by HFTP, HITEC features companies displaying the latest hospitality technology products and services geared to the hospitality industry.

HITEC also offers an exceptional education conference with presentations from experts representing all segments of the industry. The Opening General Session will feature two keynote speakers, Leonard Fischer, multimedia editor for Gannett News Service and professional speaker Connie Podesta, MS, CSP, LPC. In his presentation, Fischer, who edits and designs interactive special reports for Gannett’s 90+ web sites and USATODAY.com, will focus on consumer mobility trends and how they affect the hospitality industry. Podesta will address the challenges of dealing with difficult people at work.

Attendee registration is offered through the HITEC web site, which will be available through June 2. Registrations made through the web site will get an immediate acknowledgement via e-mail. In addition to registration, visitors to the web site can read HITEC exhibitor news, make hotel reservations and plan their time for all four days of HITEC.

Online room reservations for the official HITEC hotels can conveniently be made through the web site, including reservations for the Hilton Minneapolis, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Marriott Minneapolis City Center, Millennium Hotel Minneapolis and the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis. Attendees that pay for a Full Conference registration AND stay in the official block by reserving their hotel room through the HITEC Housing Bureau are eligible to receive a $100 rebate, redeemable for cash, in July.

In addition, HITEC.org provides complete information about all conference and exhibition events, making it convenient for attendees to plan out their time at HITEC. Visitors to the web site will find a full conference schedule with descriptions for all the education sessions. The site also features the full list of exhibitors, a map of the exhibit hall and the most current exhibitor news.

For more information about attending HITEC, send inquiries to [email protected], call (800) 646-4387 or 001 (512) 249-5333. For information about exhibiting at HITEC, send inquiries to [email protected]

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 4,500 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® and HITEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.