Austin, Texas – The hospitality technology community came together this week to see and discuss the latest industry innovations at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). In attendance were over 4800 hospitality professionals from 45 countries. The conference addressed important issues, including digital marketing, mobile apps, in-room entertainment, strategic IT planning, data security, HSIA and more.

HITEC 2013, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), was held June 24–27 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. It offered a one-stop shop for essential education, access to experts and hospitality technology vendors, networking with top leaders in the industry and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines.

“Hospitality technology is a continuously changing industry with practitioners always looking to use technology to improve operations and offer better guest services,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE. “HITEC is the once a year opportunity for the community to come together to share their observations and solutions. And once again this year in Minneapolis we’ve had fantastic turn out.”

The HITEC exhibit hall featured hundreds of exhibitors announcing new products and showcasing their signature technologies. Details on participating exhibitors and their products and services are available via the online HITEC Buyer's Guide. Also on the exhibit hall floor was the brand new version of the hands-on exhibit GUESTROOM 20X, illustrating the possibilities for the guestroom as it evolves with the growth of technology integration. This newest version takes lead with travelers' increased use of personal electronic devices and the Internet as a central resource for entertainment and information.

HITEC's education program officially began with the Opening Keynote from Theresa Payton, former CIO for the White House and founder of cyber security firm Fortalice, LLC. Tuesday's Keynote Session featured Wired contributing editor and author David Wolman, who covered the discoveries discussed in his book The End of Money. He argues that the monetary revolution afoot promises to change how we use, save, spend, secure and even define money. To close on Thursday afternoon, was the panel “Meet the Techs: CIOs Discuss Today’s IT Challenges” The session was presented in a format similar to NBC’s “Meet the Press,” with the heavy hitters being asked difficult, thought provoking questions on the state of the hospitality technology industry. Panelists included: Scot Campbell vice president and CIO for Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.; Theresa Payton the HITEC Opening Keynote; John Bollen, the senior vice president and digital marketing officer for MGM Resorts Intl.; and Sanjay Rama principal with JHM Hotels and the panel’s youngest “change facilitator.

Recognizing innovation in the hospitality technology industry, HFTP inducted Harbans Singh, into the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Singh is managing director of UBICOMP System, which develops next generation hospitality solutions, and UBIQ Global Solutions, which is a full subsidiary and distribution arm of Ubicomp System. He was recognized for developing a foothold for hospitality technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

Photographs from HITEC 2013 are available on . HITEC 2013 is slated for June 23–26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles. For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

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.

Sara Bailiff
Public Relations Manager
+1 (512) 220-4017
HFTP

Related