Hospitality Technology Show – HITEC – Boasts 12-percent Showfloor Growth in Los Angeles
June 23, 2014
HITEC 2014, a hospitality technology show, officially has kicked off, running June 23–26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and the show already is off to a great start.
“We have grown again from last year, both in number of exhibitors and show square footage, at nearly a 12 percent increase from 2013,” said Steven Stout, CAE, director of Meetings and Special Events, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, which runs the show.
He added, “The exhibitor demand was so great for this year we added ‘Supporter Benefits’ packages for those exhibitors we could not accommodate on the show floor, so our attendees can still learn more about their products and services.”
There are several must-sees at the show this year. First off, are the Super Sessions and Boot Camps going on throughout the HITEC conference. A big push this year is regarding security, which includes credit card, technology and safety security.
Attendees can benefit from the educational sessions supporting the topic of building a better tech hotel as well.
The other hot-button topic is big data and how to use big data for customer service and reputation building in the hospitality industry. This topic also is flowing into the Tech Tour, with many exhibitors requesting participation. Tech Talks are back, with many new speakers, so be sure to take out those 15 minutes for a quick learning session.
The mobile experience is of course a focus, and now is branching into how a hotel handles mobility connection with multiple devices. For example, a family of four could easily have eight different devices that need to connect to the Wi-Fi at the same time.
The HITEC mobile experience provided by I-Sites is replacing the standard event app and connects to the free Wi-Fi throughout the show (sponsored by Cisco), thus making it device neutral. This mobile experience provides comprehensive functionality, including info on restaurants nearby, transportation, flight links, hotel links and more.
The Digital Den has charging stations and a fantastic Twitter wall, and just beyond it you will find a station for a Google Glass demo. If you are interesting in learning more about how Google Glass will affect the hotel customer experience, this is a demo not to miss.
With the show just getting started, Stout reported that there are already several exhibitors on a waiting list for exhibit space at the 2015 show in Austin, Texas.
“With technology and customer expectations, changing so rapidly, HITEC is helping attendees stay ahead of the trend with a conference that educates and influences how hotels embrace their technological future,” he added.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment