Technology USA & Canada Press Releases - Hospitality Net

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May 21, 2015

Hospitality’s First Hackathon Postponed Until Later This Year

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has elected to postpone the HITEC Hackathon, which was slated to be the first hospitality hackathon, due to a lack of available space. The hackathon gathers technology developers for a two-day straight competition which tasks participants to come up with solutions to specific hospitality technology problems. The event was originally scheduled to run in the 48 hours preceding HFTP's Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (June 15–18 in Austin, Texas USA), which is expecting record attendance this year. The City of Austin is a popular event destination and additional groups are also expecting high attendance during the days the hackathon was scheduled, making amenities limited for the competition's participants. HFTP is dedicated to the success of the first hospitality hackathon and has decided it was best to postpone the event to a future date when it could offer a full experience for all involved, most likely for later in summer or fall 2015.

Austin, Tennessee, United States

May 14, 2015

Scot Campbell, CHTP and Michael Schubach, CHAE, CHTP to be Inducted to Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame

This June, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will induct Scot Campbell, CHTP and Michael Schubach, CHAE, CHTP into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Campbell and Schubach were nominated and selected by their peers for being pioneers and visionaries in the hospitality industry. Hall of Fame inductees are known as representing the best in innovation and application and as leaders in their profession.

Austin, Texas, United States

April 9, 2015

White Lodging releases information about data breach investigation at select food and beverage outlets

Officials of White Lodging Services Corporation, an independent hotel management company, announce the suspected breach of point of sales systems at food and beverage outlets, such as restaurants and lounges, from the period July 3, 2014 through February 6, 2015 at 10 properties. Systems other than the point of sales systems at the food and beverage outlets are not believed to be affected.

March 31, 2015

Wyndham Hotel Group Conference Outlines Major Quality, Technology and Marketing Initiatives

Aggressive marketing initiatives, including the announcement of an exciting new loyalty program, as well as access to better technology and a renewed emphasis on quality and brands were the central themes highlighted today at Wyndham Hotel Group's Global Conference as thousands of franchisees from around the world joined together for the opening session. Kicking off a three-day event at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the conference brings together more than 6,000 franchisees representing many of Wyndham Hotel Group's more than 7,600 properties across 70 countries. "It's absolutely vital for our franchisees and hotel owners around the world that our powerhouse brands deliver on their promises and continue to evolve with the changing needs and demands of today's travelers," said Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham Hotel Group's president and chief executive officer. "Focusing our energy and resources on better product quality, valuable technology and innovative new marketing programs, as well as realigning our teams to offer the highest level of support to our properties, is paramount for the continued growth of our company. As the world's largest hotel company, this is just the start of an incredibly exciting period of growth and transformation. The initiatives outlined during our conference set a clear strategic direction and foundation to help ensure the continued success of our franchisees around the world." Key initiatives announced during the conference included:

March 31, 2015

HFTP Announces ACL Live as the Location for HITEC 2015 Opening Party

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of HITEC (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference®), have announced that the location of the HITEC 2015 opening party will be Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (ACL Live). The opening party will serve as a social event where guests can network, enjoy live music and prepare for the coming week's activities.

Austin, Texas, United States

March 4, 2015

HFTP to Sponsor Top Award at iHITA Annual Research Conference

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is set to sponsor the "HFTP-iHITA Best Research Paper Award" at the 2015 International Hospitality Information Technology Association (iHITA) Annual Research Conference. The award will be the highest honor presented at the event and will recognize the top ranked research paper submitted.

Austin, Texas, United States

February 24, 2015

Starwood Fuels Innovation with Debut of Starlab in New York’s Garment District

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE:HOT) today unveiled Starlab, the company's new brand innovation studio located in Manhattan's pioneering Garment District. Design-led with the spirit and agility of a start-up, Starlab brings together a cross-section of the company's digital, design and luxury brand teams in one urban office for the first time. The 46,000 square foot, bi-level office is an evolution of Starwood's approach to new style workspaces, following the debuts of the Starwood Experience at the company's global headquarters in Stamford, CT as well as its former Tribeca-based design center.

New York, New York, United States

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February 2, 2015

Marriott International Committed to Wi-Fi Access and Security

Marriott International has decided to withdraw as a party to the petition seeking direction from the FCC on legal Wi-Fi security measures. Our intent was to protect personal data in Wi-Fi hotspots for large conferences. We thought we were doing the right thing asking the FCC to provide guidance, but the FCC has indicated its opposition. As we have said, we will not block Wi-Fi signals at any hotel we manage for any reason. And, as of January 15, we provide free Wi-Fi to all members of our Marriott Rewards program who book directly with us. We're doing everything we can to promote our customers' connectivity using mobile and other devices, and we're working with the industry to find security solutions that do not involve blocking our guests' use of their Wi-Fi devices.

January 21, 2015

The Best and the Worst Cities and Countries for Hotel WiFi

Hotel WiFi Test has released a new report that ranks cities, countries, and world regions by WiFi quality. Two characteristics of hotel WiFi are considered: the quality of the WiFi and whether in-room WiFi is free.

Hotelwifitest.com

January 5, 2015

Marriott’s Response to FCC Petition Filing

We understand there have been concerns regarding our position on the FCC petition filing, perhaps due to a lack of clarity about the issue. To set the record straight it has never been nor will it ever be Marriott's policy to limit our guests' ability to access the Internet by all available means, including through the use of personal Mi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi devices. As a matter of fact, we invite and encourage our guests to use these Internet connectivity devices in our hotels. To be clear, this matter does not involve in any way Wi-Fi access in hotel guestrooms or lobby spaces.

December 16, 2014

Virgin Hotels Introduces "The Know"

Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, announces the launch of The Know a hotel preference program. Members of the program will receive personalized service and recognition, and be the first in "the know" about what is happening with Virgin Hotels and its partners.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

December 4, 2014

Choice Hotels Announces 100 New Information Technology Job Openings

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, has announced it is hiring 100 new IT positions following recent technological successes. Choice will be holding a career fair and open house on December 10th from 4–7 p.m. MST at the company's Phoenix, Arizona office, where its IT operations are headquartered.

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

November 18, 2014

World’s Largest High-Definition Digital Ad Display Will Light Up New York Marriott Marquis’ Broadway Façade

The New York Marriott Marquis has always been at the hub of excitement in Times Square, now its Broadway façade will become even brighter. On November 18, the world's largest and most technologically advanced digital LED screen will be activated with an impressive generative art exhibition by digital artists Universal Everything, a world-class multidisciplinary studio collective focused on using technology to invent new forms of design and moving image.

New York, New York, United States

November 5, 2014

Cornell "Cyborg" Study Focuses on the Combination of Technology with Customer Service

As the hotel industry ramps up its use of technology for guest service, a nagging question involves whether technology improves guest satisfaction, or whether technology gets in the way. A new study from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) demonstrates how to combine technology with personal service to maintain guest satisfaction. The study, "Cyborg Service: The Unexpected Effect of Technology in the Employee–Guest Exchange," by Michael Giebelhausen, is available at no charge from the CHR.

November 5, 2014

Hilton to Roll Out Mobile Room Keys in 2015 at Hundreds of U.S. Hotels Across Four Brands

Hilton Worldwide is opening more doors for its guests through the scaled deployment of its latest innovation: mobile-enabled room key. Beginning in late spring of 2015, Hilton HHonors members staying at U.S. properties of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Canopy by Hilton brands, can simply and securely use their smartphones to access their rooms.

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November 3, 2014

Announcing the Global Debut of SPG Keyless from Starwood Hotels & Resorts: The First Mobile, Keyless Room Entry

It's a mobile office. It's a virtual wallet. It's a lifeline. And now, it's a hotel room key. Today, the smartphone will get a whole lot smarter – especially while on the road. Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), introduces SPG Keyless, the hospitality industry's first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smartphone as a key. Rolling out to Aloft, Element and W Hotels around the globe, SPG Keyless makes its official debut today in 10 hotels in markets including Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles and Doha.

October 7, 2014

Gartner Reveals Top Predictions for IT Organizations and Users for 2015 and Beyond

Gartner, Inc. has revealed its top predictions for IT organizations and IT users for 2015 and beyond. Gartner's top predictions for 2015 begin to examine a shift in the age old relationships between man and machine due to the emergence of digital business.

October 6, 2014

Marriott International's Statement on FCC Ruling

Marriott has a strong interest in ensuring that when our guests use our Wi-Fi service, they will be protected from rogue wireless hotspots that can cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks and identity theft. Like many other institutions and companies in a wide variety of industries, including hospitals and universities, the Gaylord Opryland protected its Wi-Fi network by using FCC-authorized equipment provided by well-known, reputable manufacturers. We believe that the Gaylord Opryland's actions were lawful. We will continue to encourage the FCC to pursue a rulemaking in order to eliminate the ongoing confusion resulting from today's action and to assess the merits of its underlying policy.

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

September 29, 2014

Skyscanner Reveals the Destinations of the Future: Space Tourism, Underwater Resorts and Hyper-Personalized Rooms

Today, in advance of World Space Week, global travel search site Skyscanner released the third and final part of their Future of Travel 2024 report, predicting that the heights of the Earth's orbit and the depths of the world's oceans will become vacation destinations over the next decade. Part three of the report, "Destinations and Hotels," reveals that by 2024 space will be the final frontier for intrepid travelers taking them to the outer edges of our planet's atmosphere. The report highlights new destinations around the world they'll be traveling to and predicts how travelers' social media profiles will enable hoteliers to create a truly tailored experience, based on each individual's needs and desires.

September 29, 2014

Gaming Industry Mobile Solutions Leaders Form Resort Mobile Solutions Alliance (RMSA)

Several of the gaming industry's most innovative mobile solutions providers today announced the formation of the Resort Mobile Solutions Alliance (RMSA). RMSA was formed to help resorts and casinos to: a) understand the opportunities for enhancing operational efficiencies and improving customer service using enterprise-class mobile technology, and b) select the most appropriate mobile apps and infrastructure to bring them to life at their properties.

Resort Mobile Solutions Alliance (RMSA)