AUSTIN, TEXAS—With the worldwide economic downturn on the forefront of everyone’s minds, businesses across the globe are incorporating creative methods to work towards financial recovery. A panel of hospitality technology experts, representing large to small properties, will discuss the state of the hospitality industry and the economy during the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) General Session “Useful Tech Weapons for Economic Battles.” The session is Tuesday, June 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
“The hospitality industry is no exception when it comes to being affected by the economic downturn,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “Hotels around the world have had to pull resources to find new ways to attract guests and keep room occupancy up. We’ve gathered a group of industry insiders to share their insight and the innovative technology tactics they’ve used during these rough times.”
During the general session, the panel will give predictions on the future, discuss ways they are addressing the state of the industry within their own companies and divulge what they are doing to help stay ahead of the storm. The panel will also explain how technology can be a safeguard in these times and offer useful tips businesses can use to thrive during these uncertain times.
The panel includes:
• Moderator Scott Anderson, president of the Hospitality & Real Estate Group for Kohler Co.;
• Scot Campbell, senior vice president and CIO for MGM Mirage Inc. and the HITEC 2009 Advisory Council chair;
• John C. Edwards, director of IT, North America for Millennium Hotels & Resorts and a member of the HITEC 2009 Advisory Council;
• Chuck Marratt, director of IT for MTM Luxury Lodging and a member of the HITEC 2009 Advisory Council;
• RP Rama, CHTP, vice president and director of IT and Telecom for JHM Hotels, a member of the HITEC 2009 Advisory Council and a director on the HFTP Global Board and
• Jeremy Ward, senior vice president of IT for Kempinski Hotels.
HITEC, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), is the world’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. It is June 22 to 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. The conference 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.
