HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees Announced — Source: HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce that Greg Dawes and Monika Nerger will be inducted into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame at the 45th Annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) in Toronto, Ontario Canada next month. Both were recognized for their generous knowledge-sharing, using their expertise to collaborate with industry professionals outside their organizations to further advance industry practices and move hospitality technology forward. Both will be recognized on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in a ceremony at the commencement of that morning's keynote session.

The International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame is HFTP's highest level of recognition in the area of technology. Since 1989, 42 individuals have received this award as a reflection of their contributions to the hospitality industry. Dawes and Nerger were nominated and selected by their peers for representing the best in innovation and application, and for being leaders in their profession.

Greg Dawes is currently solutions architect/technical director at VT Group. He has 30+ years of experience in the communications industry with more than 15 years building relationships in the hospitality, education, government and healthcare verticals. He is a true GPON expert, and has been involved with optical LAN almost since the inception of the technology; his strength lies in designing and promoting Passive Optical LAN as the preferred infrastructure of choice in these markets. Dawes is an active member of Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG), where he has authored a wide range of published works including: white papers, best practice guides, case studies, webinars and more. In 2012, he founded HTNG's Fiber to the Room (FTTR) workgroup, and has been the chairman or co-chair of the group ever since.

"In technology, one must keep looking forward and embracing the next big challenge while learning from our past," says Dawes. "The challenge is that most of the time we are asking others to follow us to places we ourselves have never been."

Monika Nerger is currently CIO at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group where she is responsible for navigating the company through the wide-ranging challenges and innovations that are brought on with technology. Most recently she has overseen the development and is in the process of executing a five year strategy at Mandarin Oriental, "IT 2020," which includes the transformation of core systems to cloud and mobile-based solutions, in conjunction with a rapid deployment of a guest-centric digital strategy. Over her career she has held multiple technology roles in different hospitality areas including: gaming/casinos, cruise lines, consulting and luxury hotels. Nerger is very active in the hospitality industry, and holds leadership positions for different organizations including: HTNG president; HITEC Toronto advisory council member; Gaming & Leisure advisory board member; CHTA advisory board member; Jardines CIO council member. She is a frequent speaker/panelist at hospitality industry events and contributor to industry publications such as Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel Yearbook and Gaming & Leisure magazines.

"I'm excited and honored to be included in the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame, alongside many distinguished peers and mentors in our industry," said Nerger. "To be recognized amongst so many talented and committed leaders is truly humbling. I'm especially grateful to receive this honor in Toronto, where I began my career in hospitality!"

This year's larger North American event HITEC Toronto, HFTP's second HITEC of 2017, will take place from June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. HITEC Dubai, the third and final HITEC of 2017, will take place from November 14-15 at the Conrad Dubai in Dubai, UAE in partnership with Naseba. In 2018, HFTP will bring back HITEC Amsterdam on April 11-14 in addition to HITEC Houston on June 26-29.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec/. Stay updated with HFTP and HITEC on social media for conference updates: HFTP Connect; HITEC Bytes; HFTP Club Bytes; HFTP Finance Bytes; HFTP News; Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Flickr.

About HITEC

HITEC is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education, and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe to one place. The unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Combined with the intimate opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career.

Historically hosted annually in a different city throughout the United States, HFTP decided to break tradition in 2017 by hosting three HITEC events all taking place outside of U.S. borders– in Toronto, Amsterdam and Dubai. This will be the first time the global association's largest HITEC event – featuring thousands of hospitality professionals from around the world – will take place outside of the U.S. In 2017, HFTP is producing its larger HITEC Toronto as well as two additional, inaugural HITEC events: HITEC Amsterdam and HITEC Dubai.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. Download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has members and stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry. For more information about HFTP, email [email protected] or download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.

Jessica Blankenship
Public Relations Manager
HFTP