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HITEC 2004 Draws 600 Booths and 4,500 Attendees;
HITEC 2005 Set for Los Angeles Convention
Center, June 20-23, 2005
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June 29, 2004; AUSTIN, TEXAS - Thousands of hospitality professionals arrived at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC ®) with an interest in investing in new technology. HITEC 2004, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) was held at the Dallas Convention Center and featured over 600 booths with more than 4,500 attendees. 

"This year's turnout has been better than ever," said Kerry Allen, marketing and communications manager for Infogenesis, a HITEC exhibiting company. "HFTP once again delivered an excellent education program and show."

Exhibitors use HITEC as a place for product launches, with many HITEC 2004 vendors announcing new products and alliances. The HITEC exhibit hall featured the most current in hospitality products and services for audio/visual, energy management and conservation, Internet, information processing, security, fire safety and telecommunications. Companies offered wireless services, in-room movies, reservation systems, self check-in and check-out devices, call center services, guest room telephones and much more. Many of the exhibitors were very happy with the traffic in the hall, as well as the overall show.

"This year's show had incredible traffic with attendees showing greater interest in new technology," said Mark Hamilton, director of property management solutions for Aloha by Radiant Systems. "The holding pattern from previous years has lifted and companies are looking to buy. I've heard a similar sentiment from the other exhibitors I've spoken to this year."

"This is our first HITEC and it has been one of the best shows I've ever worked in my eight years with Tripp Lite," said Jeffrey Reiss, district sales manager for Tripp Lite, a HITEC exhibitor. "The partnerships and contacts we've made make our attendance more than worth the price of exhibiting."

Already more than 68 percent of the exhibit hall is sold out for next year's show at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 20-23. 

This year's education conference expanded from three (in previous years) to four days. The additional sessions on Monday focused on the fundamentals of hospitality technology and the essentials of different system types.

Tuesday morning featured the HITEC Awards ceremony, where two technology leaders were honored. First, the CHTP of the Year, Jeffrey Stephen Parker, CHTP, was given a plaque to commemorate his achievement. Parker earned the honor by scoring the highest score for the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) exam within a set period. Next, Ted Horner, managing director of E. Horner and Associates Pty Ltd., was inducted into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Horner was selected for promoting the use and expansion of hospitality technology in Australia.

"My passion for this industry is what drives me," said Horner in his induction speech. "Receiving this honor is the peak of my career."

At Tuesday morning's general session, best-selling author, Robert Kriegel, Ph.D., gave a passionate session, "If it ain't broke*BREAK IT! - Riding the wave of change without wiping out." In his speech, Kriegel encouraged the audience to create change. Kriegel is a New York Times best selling author and his books, If it ain't broke * BREAK IT! and Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers are two of the most successful and influential business titles of the past decade.

Wrapping up the education conference was a panel session, "CIOs and COOs - Building and Sustaining Business Strategies." The moderator was Dr. Lalia Rach, associate dean and HVS International chair at New York University Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Panelists included Brian Garavuso, CHTP, chief technology officer and Bob Morse, chief operating officer for Interstate Hotels and Resorts; and Scott Heintzeman, chief information officer and Nancy Johnson, executive vice president of Brand Leader Select Service Hotels for Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

For those who were not able to attend HITEC 2004, visit www.hitec.org to review information on HITEC 2004 exhibitors. Also on the web site are interviews that were conducted directly in the exhibit hall. Kevin Heilbronner, host of the interviews, spoke with industry experts, HITEC speakers, various exhibitors and HFTP Board members. If you didn't make it this year, start making plans to attend next year's HITEC in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 20- 23, 2005. 

About HFTP:

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,000 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC and ONHTEC. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. HFTP®, HITEC® and ONHTEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. 

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Contact:
Eliza R. Selig
HFTP Communications Manager
800-646-4387
(512) 249-5333 x23
Fax: (512) 249-1533
www.hftp.org
www.hitec.org


 
Also See: HITEC 2003 Draws 4,500 Attendees to New Orleans; Dallas Site for HITEC 2004 / June 2003
HITEC Adds Full Day of Sessions - Monday Sessions Will Focus on the Fundamentals of Hospitality Technology and the Essentials of Different System Types / May 2004


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