HITEC Houston Boasts Highest Attended Event in Its Association’s History

June 28, 2018

The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) recently wrapped up its highest-attended North American event in its association’s 65-year history.

The annual event, which took place June 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, attracted more than 6,650 hospitality financial and technology professionals seeking to learn how to integrate the latest technologies in the hospitality space.

Produced annually by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP),

HITEC is known as the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand that has been showcasing the industry’s latest innovations while providing top-notch education for more than 45 years.

“Thank you to everyone who helped make HITEC Houston a huge success,” said Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP, a 65-year-old hospitality association headquartered in Austin, Texas that also boasts offices in Hong Kong, the U.K., The Netherlands and Dubai.

He continued, “HITEC Houston was not only the highest attended HITEC conference to date, but it was also the highest attended overall conference in HFTP’s 65-year history. HFTP looks forward to continuing to serve the hospitality technology community in years to come.”

HITEC Houston’s exhibit floor featured 397 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality technology products and services, while the conference featured over 120 speakers, including futurist Mike Walsh and data security expert Theresa Payton as keynote speakers. Daily education sessions addressed top-trending topics including data security; IT initiatives; sustainability and CSR; AI; leadership development; blockchain and millennials reshaping the industry. 

The Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Houston innovation competition for hospitality startups featured 16 startups, an expert panel of six judges and 16 industry mentors who coached the entrepreneurs before their four-minute pitch, with Reply.ai winning the E20X Judge’s Award and Beekeeper chosen by conference attendees – via the HFTP Multi-event app – as the E20X People’s Choice Award winner. 

Three hospitality technology industry leaders were recognized and awarded at HITEC Houston, including 2018 HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame recipients Tammy Farley and Jing Zhu, and 2018 CHTP of the Year recipient Sean Van Dyke. 

During the event, HFTP also hosted its annual HITEC Helps social responsibility project, which raised funds for local nonprofit Compudopt, a local nonprofit that provides technology access and education to underserved youth in the Houston area.

As of 2017, HFTP produces three HITEC events per year: HITEC Amsterdam, HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America, the latter of which rotates cities annually and is the largest of the three shows. 

HITEC Minneapolis is scheduled for June 17-20 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. 

 

Don’t miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE & engage with us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn & Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.