HITEC 2009

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA | IDEO's Chief Technology Officer, Doug Solomon, illustrates how IDEO's innovative, customer-centric techniques apply to the hospitality industry during the Closing Session of the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). The session is Thursday, June 25. HITEC 2009, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference held June 22-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. USA.

Solomon's session explains why design thinking is a useful problem-solving technique for the hospitality industry. The concept uses methods like observation, prototyping, building and storytelling to work through organizational challenges. Solomon also discusses the importance of focusing on the customer's journey when setting organizational priorities, expanding brands and creating customer-centered designs. The session includes hospitality-related case studies from the Marriott, Mahindra Zest and more.

“Understanding customer needs is a simple business principle, but one which is relatively untapped. Hospitality organizations have a huge opportunity to present customers and employees with offerings that exceed their expectations," said Solomon. "Design thinking is an approach which has great potential for hospitality. By sharing our approach and some of our stories, I hope to inspire HITEC 2009 attendees to push their innovation capabilities even further.”

Doug Solomon leads technology strategy efforts at IDEO, the Palo Alto, Calif., innovation and design firm that has worked with companies from Procter & Gamble to Bank of America and was recently listed fifth in Fast Company’s Top 50 Most Innovative Companies. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the information technology industry, Solomon has a particular interest and experience in collaborative technologies that enable greater community engagement and participation. Prior to IDEO, he was Vice President of Investments at Omidyar Network, helping pioneer a new approach to socially-aware investments. He was also Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Chief Strategy Officer at both Apple and Palm, in addition to holding leadership roles at Interval Research and several technology startups.

Attendee registration is now available on the HITEC web site, while HITEC exhibitor registration is available in April 2009. Visit HITEC.org for complete information about all conference and exhibition events, including the conference schedule, a list of exhibitors, a map of the exhibit hall and the most current HITEC news.

For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

About HITEC | HITEC 2009 offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services from over 300 companies. Education sessions address timely topics like green technology, social media, bandwidth and revenue management in a changing economy. The trade show features extended hours on Tuesday, along with the Club Technology Pavilion and a new version of GUESTROOM 20X.

About HFTP | HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology ---the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit .

Katy Walterscheidt
Communications Specialist
+1 (512) 249-5333 (Ext 27)
HFTP