MINNEAPOLIS — Last week, approximately 4,800 hospitality professionals from 45 countries converged on the Minneapolis Convention Center for the 2013 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) (pictured) to check out new products and hear about digital marketing, mobile apps, in-room entertainment and more.

Aside from the products showcased on the showroom floor, the new Guestroom 20X exhibit demonstrated in-room technology integrations, which are necessary with the influx of guests who use personal electronic devices and the Internet.

Off the showroom floor, Theresa Payton, former CIO for the White House, and founder of cyber security firm Fortalice, LLC, led the opening keynote address, while Wired contributing editor and author David Wolman highlighted discoveries from his book The End of Money.

Innovation was also heralded at the show, thanks to HFTP, a Texas-based global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hospitality-related businesses. “HFTP inducted Harbans Singh, into the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame,” reads the show press release. “Singh is managing director of UBICOMP System, which develops next generation hospitality solutions, and UBIQ Global Solutions, a full subsidiary and distribution arm of Ubicomp System. He was recognized for establishing a foothold for hospitality technology in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Meanwhile, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC), which ran concurrently with the HITEC Show, focused on “Leading Revenue Management into the Future.” A record 440 attendees, from 102 hotel brands, management companies and ownership groups, took part in the 10th anniversary event held at the Minneapolis’ Hyatt Regency.

In other ROC news, Gopakumar Menon, director, Revenue Management, Highgate Hotels/Park Plaza Boston, accepted the Revenue Management Professional of the Year Award.

image courtesy of Matthew Witchell

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