“The decision to install all three Flyte products was easy because Flyte Systems’ services add considerable value to our properties,” said Craig Strickler, Kokua Hospitality LLC’s corporate director of transitions and projects.  Kokua is respected for its upscale destinations.  Its service-oriented philosophy caters to experienced business travelers, conventioneers and leisure guests.  The first Flyte Systems installations will be at Kokua’s two Adams Mark properties in Indianapolis, IN and Buffalo, NY, followed by its three landmark properties in Chicago:  The Allerton Hotel, Chicago City Centre Hotel & Sports Club, and the Inn of Chicago.

Customized Products and One-stop Shopping Convenience

“Flyte Systems services are a unique amenity that guests do not expect, but really love,” Strickler noted.  “I know from personal experience that waiting out flight delays in the comfort of my hotel is far better than sitting in a plastic chair at the airport.  Guests appreciate a high level of service and expect it from properties like ours.”  Strickler also said that Flyte was able to customize its products to match his properties décor.  “We’re in the final stages of extensive renovations at several properties and because we want our lobby areas to be seamless, Flyte is customizing its boarding pass kiosks to match the exact color and wood we used. It’s that type of attention to detail that matters.”

Flyte Systems products utilize a property’s existing high-speed Internet connection, so installation is also a simple process.  “Providing guests with the ability to easily check their flight status information, either from the lobby or the comfort of their room, and then print boarding passes, offers them the convenience of a seamless travel experience.  It doesn’t get more convenient than that,” Strickler said.

Real-time Flight Information

What sets Flyte Systems apart from other PC-based applications is its ability to post accurate, real-time airline flight arrival and departure information, not FAA-regulated scheduled departure times that do not list delays caused by:

• Air Traffic Control
• Aircraft maintenance
• Crew availability
• Weather

• FlyteTouch enables individual guests to search flight information via touch screens that display real-time flight arrivals and departures for one or more airports.  
• FlytePass uses FlyteTouch technology and adds free, secure boarding pass printing, packaged in an all-wood kiosk.
• FlyteChannel permits guests to view live airport arrival/departure screens via their in-room TV.
• FlyteBoard is a wall, floor or ceiling mounted high-definition, flat panel screen for lobbies, restaurants, bars and other public areas, displaying flight information for one or more airports.

If you are attending HITEC 2008 in Austin, be sure to confirm your flight’s departure information and print your boarding pass at the Flyte Systems’ booth # 351 to save time at the airport.

About Flyte Systems
The Flyte Systems Division of Industrial Television Services (ITS), based in Chicago, Illinois, is the leading provider of environmentally responsible airport flight information displays for the hospitality, convention center and digital signage industries and related businesses.  It delivers accurate, instant, airport-centric updates of flight information – not FAA-regulated scheduled departure times that may omit last minute changes.  Properties are able to differentiate their products and boost customer loyalty and repeat business with ’glance-and-go’ content critical to a traveler’s day.   Flyte Systems’ product suite builds upon ITS’ 47-year history as the leading provider of live flight information to airports, airlines, government agencies, port authorities and other travel-based businesses.  Flyte Systems was formed in 2007 to offer new Web-based travel technology and product lines.  In addition to using Energy Star-compliant digital displays, Flyte products help significantly reduce energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary trips to the airport.  Customers include Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Hilton, Doubletree, Hotel Sofitel, Adams Mark, Renaissance and Crown Plaza hotels, independent properties and municipal airports.

About Kokua Hospitality, LLC
Kokua Hospitality is a property management firm affiliated with The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, of San Francisco. Purposely created by lodging management and operational experts as a management company with an investors’ sensibility, Kokua Hospitality blends the attention to detail of a customer service entity with the rigors of a real estate investment concern. The name (pronounced “koh-kooh-ah”) is Hawaiian for “to serve.” Based in Chicago, Kokua Hospitality manages a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts nationwide. For more information on Kokua Hospitality, please visit www.kokuahospitality.com.

Flyte Systems
Debbie Kalish, Account Executive
3515 Martens Street
Franklin Park, IL 60131
Phone: (877) 463-5983
Email: [email protected]
www.flytesystems.com

Kokua Hospitality, LLC
Craig Strickler, Corporate Director of Transitions and Projects
541 North Fairbanks Court
Suite 2730
Chicago, IL  60611
Phone:  312-644-4800
Email:   [email protected]

Media Contact:
Julie Keyser-Squires, APR
Softscribe Inc.
[email protected]
(404)256-5512
http://www.softscribeinc.com