ATLANTA –February 9, 2011 – Hospitality Upgrade, the leading technology magazine published for hotel, travel and foodservice professionals, plans to welcome the largest crowd ever for its seventh annual Executive Vendor Summit, April 13-15, 2011.

This year hosted at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore in Tampa, Fla., the Executive Vendor Summit is an invitation-only event limited to presidents and C-level executives of technology vendors actively involved in the hospitality industry. The two-day conference is sponsored by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and expects to draw a record crowd of more than 60 executives representing the industry’s major technology providers.

“This event has grown every year, and though it might seem strange since the attendees are presidents and CEOs of companies that provide technology to the industry and does not include any prospects to sell to, those who attend return year after year. Why? In an industry based on cooperation as much as competition, we offer attendees representing companies as diverse as electronic locking solutions, property technology and distribution systems--and everything in between--an unbeatable combination of networking, social events and program,” said Hospitality Upgrade President & Publisher Richard Siegel. 

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The Executive Vendor Summit offers attendees the chance to meet their peers on a personal level and find out how they are tackling the same challenges. They are free to form critical relationships and discuss and debate current issues in a relaxed environment. When past attendees were asked, “What would you say to your peers who have not attended the Executive Vendor Summit before?” they said:

er here is whaThis conference is unique in that it affords the senior management of the vendor community the opportunity to interact in a very professional and productive manner. Attending this conference is a very effective use of time each year. -Sean O’Neill, Chairman & CEO, Newmarket International, Inc. Anyone who finds an excuse to miss this conference is cheating themselves. -Edward St.Onge, President, EZYield.com Inc.   For leaders of hospitality technology companies, nothing else like this exists and it is the best networking event you could possibly attend. -Dan Hogan, Vice President & General Manager, Galaxy Hotel Systems   What a great conference! We have a chance to talk with other vendors who we are currently partnering or want to partner with in the future. -Sherry Marek, Vice President, Datavision Technologies   You will never have a better chance to network, gain perspective and some competitive intelligence than at this conference. -Bob Post, former President & CEO, TRAVELCLICK, Inc.   Excellent format, excellent attendees. A MUST attend event! -Kevin Ruhman, Vice President-Hospitality, NEC America, Inc.   The Executive Vendor Summit is a great forum for testing your ideas of where our industry is headed with peers who are focused on the same issues. -Bruce Bensetler, President, Data Plus Inc.   This is a conference that should be attended by every CEO, president or anyone that is involved in the hospitality industry that is responsible for running their organization or has operational responsibilities. -Ursula Rhode, Executive VP, Genares   This is a great chance to meet the leaders of the companies in the industry! -David Levin, President, Four Winds Interactive This is the best way to get to know your competitors and potential partners. There's no other trade show or event that will allow you to mingle this good with your peers. -Patrick van der Wardt, Managing Partner, Brilliant Hotel Software The Summit is an excellent forum to discuss current issues facing our industry and a fantastic place to network with the who's who in hospitality technology. -Jeff McKee, CFO/VP Business Development, Jonas Software The Executive Vendor Summit is a great networking event. -Larry Hall, President & CEO, PAR Springer-Miller Systems It's a good opportunity to network without the inconvenience that customers cause. The relaxed yet informative environment helps to stimulate the mind without you realizing you're actually working. -Bruce Humphrey, Director American Operations, Miwa Lock Co Ltd

There is no charge to attend the Summit, but only one attendee is allowed per company. If you are a technology vendor to the hospitality industry and are interested in attending, please e-mail Kate O’Neil at [email protected] or call (678) 802-5304.

For more information on the Executive Vendor Summit, please contact Charlotte Somers at [email protected].

Established in 1992, Hospitality Upgrade is the leading technology magazine published for hotel, travel and foodservice professionals including management, independent operators, executives and chains. Published three times a year, Hospitality Upgrade educates hospitality professionals on the latest technology software and hardware solutions. Regular coverage focuses on new industry trends and products, in-depth analyses by leading hospitality consultants, insider news and gossip, interviews with top industry executives, and profiles from many of the industries' solution providers. Specific topics include purchasing and maintenance of the following hospitality systems: point-of-sale, property management, back office, sales and marketing, Internet, in-room, restaurant management, central reservations, guest response, handheld/wireless technologies, executive information and more.