AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (April 17, 2009) – Stressing the importance of developing digital relationships as part of company strategies, Terry Jones, founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com and former CIO of Sabre, Inc. opens the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) on Monday, June 22 at 4 p.m. with his session "Building Digital Relationships." HITEC 2009, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is June 22-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. USA.

At the HITEC Opening Session, attendees will discover what companies like Travelocity, Kayak.com, La Quinta Hotels and Earthlink are doing in creating, leading and implementing CRM strategies that leverage the digital world. Jones will explore this extensive world with examples drawn from all types of online and offline companies as he discusses the latest techniques for e-marketing, the evolution of search and how broadband is changing consumer behavior online. Attendees can walk away with a plan on how to craft a multi-channel strategy to deal with tomorrow's marketplace.

As founder of Travelocity.com, he led the company as President and CEO from its founding until May 2002. With Travelocity.com, he took an idea and created a business that now has over 40 million members and over $5 billion in travel bookings. He has first-hand knowledge of creating a national brand, thriving in rapidly changing markets and using technology for a competitive advantage. Previously, Jones served as CIO at Sabre Inc. In his 24 years at Sabre, Jones held various executive positions including president of computer services, vice president of applications development and vice president of product development. Other experience includes product development with American Airlines, travel agent specializing in Eastern Europe and more. Jones is now the managing principal of Essential Ideas, a consultancy he co-founded to help companies in their transition to the digital economy. He serves on the Board of Directors of Earthlink, Inc., La Quinta Corporation, Kayak.com, and is a special venture partner with General Catalyst Partners.

HITEC is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. It offers attendees a one-stop shop for essential education, access to experts and hospitality technology vendors, networking with top leaders in the industry and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Registration and the full conference schedule are available online at HITEC.org.

For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology — the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit http://www.hftp.org/.