HITEC Houston Boasts Highest Attended Event in Its Association’s History
June 28, 2018
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) recently wrapped up its highest-attended North American event in its association’s 65-year history.
The annual event, which took place June 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, attracted more than 6,650 hospitality financial and technology professionals seeking to learn how to integrate the latest technologies in the hospitality space.
Produced annually by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP),
HITEC is known as the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand that has been showcasing the industry’s latest innovations while providing top-notch education for more than 45 years.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make HITEC Houston a huge success,” said Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP, a 65-year-old hospitality association headquartered in Austin, Texas that also boasts offices in Hong Kong, the U.K., The Netherlands and Dubai.
He continued, “HITEC Houston was not only the highest attended HITEC conference to date, but it was also the highest attended overall conference in HFTP’s 65-year history. HFTP looks forward to continuing to serve the hospitality technology community in years to come.”
HITEC Houston’s exhibit floor featured 397 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality technology products and services, while the conference featured over 120 speakers, including futurist Mike Walsh and data security expert Theresa Payton as keynote speakers. Daily education sessions addressed top-trending topics including data security; IT initiatives; sustainability and CSR; AI; leadership development; blockchain and millennials reshaping the industry.
The Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Houston innovation competition for hospitality startups featured 16 startups, an expert panel of six judges and 16 industry mentors who coached the entrepreneurs before their four-minute pitch, with Reply.ai winning the E20X Judge’s Award and Beekeeper chosen by conference attendees – via the HFTP Multi-event app – as the E20X People’s Choice Award winner.
Three hospitality technology industry leaders were recognized and awarded at HITEC Houston, including 2018 HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame recipients Tammy Farley and Jing Zhu, and 2018 CHTP of the Year recipient Sean Van Dyke.
During the event, HFTP also hosted its annual HITEC Helps social responsibility project, which raised funds for local nonprofit Compudopt, a local nonprofit that provides technology access and education to underserved youth in the Houston area.
As of 2017, HFTP produces three HITEC events per year: HITEC Amsterdam, HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America, the latter of which rotates cities annually and is the largest of the three shows.
HITEC Minneapolis is scheduled for June 17-20 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
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What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.
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