The largest event in the world for hospitality technology show arrives in New Orleans on June 20-23: HITEC, produced by HFTP. The show brings the brightest minds and hottest technology under the same roof, so if you don't want to miss what HITEC has in store for you this year, you are lucky, we have interviewed the organisers of the show to learn about all the novelties and details of this year's edition. Are you ready?
HITEC is the largest show in the world for hospitality technology, but what makes HITEC different from other similar shows?
The buy-in and participation from practitioners in the hospitality industry make HITEC unique. It is seen as a must-attend event by top-level industry professionals around the world. The HITEC Advisory council helps develop the education program, consisting of a wide-range of industry experts including CIOs, C-level executives and academics, so the event offers a broad range of information that has wide appeal.
What represents HITEC to the annual calendar of the industry?
HITEC has long been on the to-do list for IT professionals in the hospitality industry, with many returning year-after-year to delve into professional challenges. HITEC offers attendees essential education on the industry’s leading topics, access to world-renowned experts and hundreds of hospitality technology vendors, networking opportunities with peers from around the globe and countless resources.
Can you advance us some of the highlights for this year's edition?
Beyond the conference and exposition, HITEC has a number of programs that really raise the level. This year, the start-up pitch competition Entrepreneur 20X returns, which connects new companies with industry experts. Participants will have the opportunity to compete for a cash prize, get mentored by industry veterans and demonstrate their products in the HITEC exhibit hall. In addition, HITEC is participating in a community service project, HITEC Helps, to collect art supplies to donate to the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. Other notable events are the Opening Party at Generations Hall; Tech Talks, short 15-minute education sessions in the hall; and of course three keynotes from dynamic, business experts.
Hospitality and Technology are two of the preferred investment markets. What is the exhibitor's profile?
Global companies covering all areas of hospitality and technology. With over 340 hospitality technology vendors, the HITEC trade show is a must-attend exposition.
And who can attend?
Anyone wanting to attend an official HITEC function must register and collect a badge before gaining access to the exhibit hall, educational sessions or the HITEC Opening Party. The attendee profile, based on HITEC 2015 qualified attendees:
- By business class: hotel/resort, consulting firm, associations, club, casino, academic...
- By job function: IT/IS, corporate, financial, C-level, sales & marketing, operations, owners...
Appart of HITEC exhibition, we can enjoy other co-located events, activities and lectures. Do you recommend us a session or activity in particular?
All of the co-located events are great:
- iHITA Annual Conference - is the oldest research conference focusing solely on hospitality technology
- HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC)- is the most compelling and comprehensive revenue management event for the hotel industry.
- HFTP Club & Hotel Controllers Conference - focus on current and emerging issues, best practices and complex challenges.
Finally, can you tell us some participation results from the last edition?
- HITEC 2015 was one of the highest attended with 6,051 hospitality professionals representing 55 countries.
- The conference, which had over 115 speakers with 70 educational sessions, addressed important issues including system selection, mobile and guestroom technology, data security, PCI compliance and more.
- The exhibit floor was home to 823 exhibit booths showcasing the latest in hospitality technology products and services.