CHICAGO – (November 3, 2015) – Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) announces the launch of the 2016 TechOvation Award competition. HTNG will build on last year’s successful revamp of the TechOvation Award, and five previous years as the Most Innovative Hospitality Technology Award competition, to showcase the latest technology solutions and services launched for hospitality over the past year.

"The changes we made for last year’s TechOvation Award competition were well received by attendees and contestants alike, so we will continue with the format that allows vendors to present their cutting-edge technology again this year," says Michael Blake, Executive Vice President & CEO of HTNG. “The presentations deliver an overview of the latest innovations, and the live voting process allows HTNG members to voice their opinions and support emerging technologies that will drive better guest satisfaction.”

In the competition’s qualifying round, HTNG member and nonmember entrants will make a five-minute “elevator pitch” before a live audience of conference attendees. A judging panel of senior hospitality IT executives will select three finalists to repeat their presentations in the general session on the next day, where the full audience will pick the winners in a live poll.

In addition to receiving a trophy during a ceremony at the conference, winning technologies will be featured in an article by the competition media sponsor Hospitality Technology magazine, announced in an HTNG press release and promoted through HTNG’s website and social media. “HT’s research shows that hotels will increase their investment in technology in 2016, and they have a long list of objectives that include bandwidth, in-room technology projects and mobility, among others,” says Abigail A. Lorden, Editor-in-Chief of Hospitality Technology magazine. “We’re excited to be the media sponsor of HTNG’s TechOvation Awards, and cover how the technology supplier community is driving innovation to help hotels exceed their IT objectives.”

Michael Cohen, SVP Key Accounts of Interel, last year’s TechOvation Award winner, adds, “As an active vendor member of HTNG, Interel has repeatedly experienced the industry impact and value delivered by our consistent involvement in the HTNG global events. Our participation and eventual selection as the winner of the inaugural 2015 HTNG TechOvation Awards has been a tremendous global momentum builder for our firm and a strong validation for our connectBsmart™ “beacons as infrastructure” enabled Guest Room and Energy Management solutions.”

For full rules, entry fees and more information about the competition, visit the award website at http://htng.org/techovation-award.

Link to a web page: http://www.htng.org