HOTEC Operations and Technology Closes on High Note, 2015 Dates Announced

NEW YORK -- The 11th annual HOTEC Operations & Technology event, produced by Questex Hospitality + Travel, came to a successful close after hosting more than 675 one-to-one meetings among 100 leading buyers and suppliers of operations and technology products from key sectors of the hospitality industry.

Questex Hospitality + Travel also announced that the next HOTEC Operations & Technology event will be held Feb. 23-26, 2015, at the award-winning Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in the historic river district of Savannah, Ga.

The successful 2014 program, held March 3-6 at the luxury Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif., provided a scenic backdrop for dynamic peer-to-peer networking, business meetings and team-building activities including a wine-tasting competition and 80s-themed reception.

"HOTEC has really helped our company, our business and some of our brands as well," said Bill Johnson, manager, business relationship management, InterContinental Hotels Group. "I like the full 20 minutes with each supplier. And if we need to run over, the nice thing about HOTEC is that we have some free time so we are able to reconnect."

Presented by Hotel Management and Hotel Design magazines, HOTEC events in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia provide hospitality industry owners, operators, developers and purchasers focused forums to meet, network and conduct business on a one-to-one basis with global suppliers in the relaxed atmosphere of an upscale resort, away from typical distractions.

HOTEC is successful year after year due to its focus on uninterrupted one-to-one interaction between buyers and sellers, said Marilyn McHugh, Questex Hospitality + Travel vice president of global events who oversees HOTEC. "After several days of relaxed collaboration, delegates foster long-term personal relationships, rather than just acquaintances they might form at traditional trade shows."

Leo Vogel, vice president, contract sales, Sealy Inc., said the ability to conduct meetings both formally and informally enables him to meet people he otherwise might miss. "It's really nice to have the opportunity to meet one-to-one with buyers for 20 minutes, as opposed to a trade show where you're lucky to get five minutes of someone's time, and everyone is distracted," he said.

Buyers include high-level executives and decision-makers who represent hotels and resorts, management companies, cruise lines and purchasing firms including Marriott International, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group and more. Suppliers including Samsung, Serta and LG Electronics represent all aspects of operations and technology products.

For more information, visit www.hotecna.com, Twitter.com/HOTEC_NAmerica or Facebook.com/HOTECOpsTech.