HFTP began soliciting applications globally in early January 2006. Once collected, a sub-committee of the HITEC 2006 Advisory Council considered the completed applications, as well as research gathered from a variety of industry and non-industry sources. From this point a guest room footprint was developed and input was solicited from a community of road warriors. The process generated a final list of "must have" technologies that were then invited to participate. 

"Our goal is to provide attendees some 'wows,' stimulate conversation and have the pavilion act as a catalyst for future thinking in the technology arena," said Carol Campbell Beggs, VP of technology at Sonesta Hotels International and chair of the 2006 HITEC Advisory Council. "The features in Guestroom 2010 are not meant to be totally comprehensive. For example, we have stayed away from in-room bars, textiles and architecture - except for in our guest room footprint. There were also some technologies that we expected to include, but a representative prototype or working model remained elusive." 

"HFTP has been inundated with inquiries from both press and industry stakeholders wanting to know what will be in Guestroom 2010 and who is providing it," said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP's executive vice president and CEO. "We would be doing an injustice if we tried to describe some of the featured technologies. One item alone caused more than six hours of conference calls with customs importers just to determine how to classify it. 

"In fact, we have not even shared a complete list of the technologies with the HITEC Advisory Council, HFTP's Board of Directors or our sponsors," continued Wolfe. "We decided yesterday to provide this glimpse to satisfy the flow of requests coming into our headquarters office. The Guestroom 2010 prototype and its adjacent pavilion will feature a bed without a mattress, a 3D TV without the accompanying glasses, a shower that cleans itself, a sound that helps you concentrate, light and art that matches your mood, a valet that is always there, a faucet that recharges itself, an alarm clock that hides if you don't wake up, a highly unusual room design, and many other items too numerous to include here."

Some of the companies that have been selected to provide technologies for Guestroom 2010 and its accompanying pavilion are: 
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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 4,600 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC. 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® and HITEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. ProLinks is a service mark of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. 

Eliza R. Selig
Director of Communications
(800) 646-4387
001 (512) 249-5333 x23
Fax: 001 (512) 249-1533
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