AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the GUESTROOM 2010 Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are conducting a comprehensive global search for the hospitality industry’s most innovative technologies to be exhibited in GUESTROOM 2010. The 2008 version of GUESTROOM 2010, a model guestroom of the future featuring some of the latest and near-future technologies for the modern hotel room, will be unveiled at the 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and will be on display at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas from June 16 to 19.
“Since its inception in 2006, GUESTROOM 2010 has become an important reference for cutting-edge and future technology in the hospitality industry,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP CEO. “With their combined experience, the GUESTROOM 2010 Task Force is highly qualified to uphold GUESTROOM 2010’s reputation by providing innovative and exciting technologies for the 2008 version of GUESTROOM 2010.”
The 2008 GUESTROOM 2010 Task Force includes:
• Carol Campbell Beggs, CHTP, chair, v.p. of technology for Sonesta International Hotels Corp.;
• Jules Sieburgh, CHTP, hospitality consultant for O’Neal Consultants;
• Brenda Burke, CHTP, director of hotel technology for Hilton Hotel Corp.;
• Scot Campbell, v.p. of business solutions for MGM Mirage’s CityCenter;
• Brian Garavuso, CHTP, CIO of Hilton Grand Vacations Co.;
• Steve Murphy, MBA, v.p. and CIO of The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino;
• Richard Siegel, president and publisher of Hospitality Upgrade Magazine; and
• David Sjolander, CHTP, v.p. of hotel information systems for Carlson Hospitality Corp.
In order to design the 2008 model, the Task Force is seeking new and upcoming technologies for the hotel guestroom. Potential technologies include, but are not limited to, traditional technologies like next-generation televisions, non-traditional technologies like lighting, and green technologies like energy-saving devices. Previous versions of GUESTROOM 2010 have included technologies such as a coffeemaker that predicts the weather, recycled carpet made from corn-based polymers, a bed without a mattress and a window that is an art gallery.
Hospitality technology suppliers, consumer technology companies, inventors and others who have a technology product that should be considered for display must apply by Friday, March 28. You do not have to be a member of HFTP or a current HITEC 2008 exhibitor to participate. Submissions will be considered and carefully chosen by the GUESTROOM 2010 Task Force.
The GUESTROOM 2010 Technology Application Form is now available on www.guestroom2010.org. All submissions and supporting documentation are due by Friday, March 28, 2008. Call (512) 249-5333, ext. 20 with questions.
