by
Rich Siegel
7.14.2023

Siegel Sez 7/14/23

Siegel Sez 7/14/23

Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

CORPORATE NEWS

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

RESERVATIONS & DISTRIBUTION

REVENUE MANAGEMENT & ANALYTICS

GUEST FACING TECHNOLOGY

MARKETING

SALES & CATERING

BACK OFFICE

COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE

OPERATIONS

HUMAN RESOURCES

SECURITY

ARCHITECTURE & INTEGRATION

HOSPITALITY EVENTS AND ASSOCIATION NEWS

Well, the dueling conferences of HITEC and The Hospitality Show are now a thing of the past, and I know everyone is thankful for that. Doug Rice adds his thoughts on the two shows in his Definitely Doug column that follows, though I am not sure everyone will agree with him. Then again, the more people I talk to, the more my head spins, but it is great that everybody has an opinion.

I was at HITEC in Toronto as was Doug, and if you want to know where the future of technology is going then you will love what he shares. It is great how he focuses on the little guys who often think way outside the box.

I have attended HITEC every year that I’ve been in the industry. It’s almost embarrassing to say how long that has been! I thank HFTP and the HITEC Advisory Council for letting me lead two sessions the first day of the show. and as you can see from the picture above there was a bit of fun involved. I might never do the “1,3,5,7” then “2,4,6,8” introduction exercise to start to a session again, but it was amazing how much everyone enjoyed it.

Also, if you have any questions about Taylor Swift song lyrics, ask Anthony Melchiorri, Ted Horner or Frank Wolfe. They are now experts. I also must thank Shannon McCallum and AJ Aluri who are both in the picture for their help with the session. The morning session for first-time HITEC attendees was also fun. There was great excitement in the room looking forward to the start of HITEC. I thank all the panelists from both sessions for doing a great job sharing their expertise. For me it was a great way to start my time in Toronto.

Everything we are doing now at Hospitality Upgrade has one focus, 21st CIO Summit on Sept. 6 in Austin, Texas. There were so many international attendees who joined us last year along with just about every major brand and most management companies. When you get a crowd like this it is amazing what gets shared amongst those in attendance. If your technology leader has not registered yet or received an invite, please email me at rich@hospitalityupgrade.com. We already have so many first timers registered for Austin, and it motivates us beyond belief. Yes, there will also be some creative surprises this year and that is all I can share right now.

One last thing, and it’s a big thank you to all who checked in with me at HITEC Toronto. I’ve been told that knee replacement will make me a happy person at some point, but the time it takes to recover and get the knee to do what it’s supposed to do is a challenge. No one will ever accuse me of being the most patient person in the world and this recovery is a test of my patience. So many asked how I was doing, and I thank everyone for that. Nothing like having a knee replaced and going to HITEC, walking the show, and then doing the many parties at night. But I survived. I think. 😊

Here now is Definitely Doug and the latest technology happenings in our industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Then it’s off to Saratoga, which is what I look forward to every July. If you haven’t been, do it. You will thank me!

‍

Rich

‍rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

With HITEC 2023 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for a wrap-up of what was new, different, and interesting on the show floor.

With HITEC 2023 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for a wrap-up of what was new, different, and interesting on the show floor. As usual, I tried to visit every first-time exhibitor for at least an overview. There were 89 newbies, of which I was able to visit 75. One was a complete no-show, while 13 others had unattended booths when visited.

The Dueling Shows

Everybody has been asking about the impact of The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), the inaugural of which was scheduled in Las Vegas during the same week as HITEC in Toronto. While I only attended HITEC, I spoke with several vendor executives who attended both. The HITEC vibe was somewhat upbeat; most exhibitors felt that traffic was light, but quality was high. Attendance suffered significantly due to major flight disruptions at the start of the week, which caused many to arrive a day or two late (or not at all). Others arrived on time but left early to fly to Las Vegas to catch part of The Show. I knew that some HITEC regulars had chosen Las Vegas this year, but it was few enough that from a networking standpoint, HITEC still felt like the usual annual chance to catch up with old friends – some of whom you would inevitably miss even if you were both there.

Reports on The Show were generally positive, despite the flak that the organizers American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex took for scheduling it at the same time as HITEC. Floor traffic was described as light, particularly on the second day, but the event met its objective of getting business buyers rather than just IT leaders; several vendors commented that this was what they really needed. Conference sessions were well-attended, high quality, and relevant. I look forward to attending next year, when the dates will not conflict.

Emerging Tech Trends at HITEC

I learned years ago that if you want to see emerging technologies at HITEC, your best bet is to concentrate on the small booths around the edges of the show floor, where startups and early-stage companies usually dominate. To be sure, established vendors sometimes launch blockbuster innovations, but mostly they just refine or enhance already-familiar products; with large customer bases and recognized names, they have much less challenge communicating what they are doing to the industry. And while some of the first-time exhibitors offer nothing particularly new, others have ideas that could potentially disrupt incumbents or even create new categories. That is what I look for as I walk the exhibit floor.

I organized what I saw into some major themes, which I will outline here. After that I will move on to some of the specific “notable” new products I found.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): It would be hard to say that anything dominated the trends as much as AI. It might be easier to list the companies that did NOT claim to use AI than those that did. Unfortunately, most of the claims are simply marketing-speak and will not hold up to scrutiny. And with just a few minutes to spend with each vendor, it was impossible to dive deep enough under the covers to tell which ones were real vs. wishful thinking.

I plan to do a more in-depth look at AI in a future blog, but first-time exhibitors that had at least credible-on-the-surface AI claims included Tenyx (contact center), co-exhibitors Stobee and Asksuite (chatbot), Myma.ai (also chatbot), LocalEyes (a chatbot with a particular strength in local businesses and activities around the hotel), and Pricingservice.ai (Entrepreneur 20X participant offering revenue management as a service). The chatbots join a large set of existing players. Chatbots have become largely commoditized; I know of more than 100 selling into hospitality today, and few really stand out from the crowd. Some do appear to be emerging that use generative AI, but most are still using natural language processing plus rules engines, older technologies which are much more limited in their ability to seem human.

Personalization and Upselling: For many hoteliers, the holy grail is the ability to present a personalized, custom offering to each guest, based on factors such as size/makeup of the party, inferred or known demographics, days of the week, length of stay, history, and other factors. While there are many limitations to doing this at scale, there are more and more products chipping away at the edges. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms play a role here, but mostly as a source of data, where they are largely similar. The innovation I saw was happening more at the fringes of the distribution process, particularly in direct channels or direct post-booking communications. Emerging companies I would look at closer in this category include Booking Whizz, dot.cy, Thynk, and UrVenue.

Robotics: In case you missed it, I recently wrote about the rise of robotics (and not just for saving labor) in a two-part series here and here. I said the area was starting to gain real traction, and that was in evidence at HITEC, with three new vendors (Aethon, Piaggio Fast Forward, and Robotis) joining prior exhibitors Relay Robotics and Tailos (formerly Maidbot). I predict that in another year, we will have at least three more robot companies exhibiting, and there will be more focus on specific use cases. Today, some of the vendors seem to still be exploring the opportunities, and plan to adapt their products to meet some of the best opportunities over the next year.

Reconciliations: Staff shortages have highlighted the number of time-consuming manual reconciliation processes that hotels need to undertake to make certain that revenue and profit do not slip through the cracks. These are being met by targeted products (x-quic’s OTA Savings audits and reconciles commissions due to online travel agents, which are often wrong due to reservation changes at or after check-in), embedded capabilities in existing products such as reconciling bank credits to credit card transactions, and tools to automate manual processes (robotic process automation companies Robosize ME, a first-time exhibitor, and Aphy, a contestant in this year’s Entrepreneur 20x competition).

Tipping: Several companies were exhibiting digital tipping capabilities for the first time, including buku, Kickfin, and Tip&Go (two others, Grazzy, and TipYo, were exhibiting at The Show but not at HITEC). Some of these companies still have payroll tax compliance on their roadmap (or are ignoring it), and most still do not support the most guest-friendly settlement method, which is charging tips the guest folio so they can be seamlessly included in expense reports. I expect this space will both grow and shake out some competitors over the coming year, with winners supporting payroll integration for tax reporting, integration with Property Management Systems for folio charges, app integration for “set and forget” automated tipping, and early/immediate access to some or all tip income through direct deposit. These are needed to recognize the end objective of getting more money in the hands of tipped employees without hotels having to raise wages.

Ten Products of Note

‍There were plenty of new products of interest this year. I have highlighted ten that caught my eye here. I only had a few minutes to visit each one, just enough to learn what the product does and not nearly enough to really assess it. Not all these ideas may pass a closer inspection, but I found them interesting enough to want to learn more. They all have promise, although some are early stage and may need quite a bit of refinement.

Hovr (gethovr.com) was showing a toolkit that could make any website more interactive and immersive, adding videos, pop-ups, and other rich content. Only a single line of inserted HTML is required on the website itself; the platform allows you to then overlay the material where you want, and it responds to mouse actions by the user, showing a popup when you hover over certain words, or playing a video. It enables re-use of social media videos, case studies, marketing shots and more on a website to highlight key features, showcase reviews, and answer FAQs.

bodhi (bodhi.software) is a cloud-based building management platform that centrally monitors, analyzes, schedules and controls all of the hotel’s technology from a single interface, including lighting, climate, water, electrical metering, audio/visual and other building technologies. They have partnered with numerous common providers of sensors and controls to hospitality. Overall, it was impressive, although their architecture currently supports only online door locks, which are rare in hotels.

Omnifi (omnifi.io; as of July 13, the website still shows them in stealth mode) launched a new cabling product at HITEC that embeds Ethernet cable within a rectangular strip made of a firm foam, which can be run through plenum, false ceilings, or along ceilings (it is paintable and could be made to look like a simple crown molding). Together with switches and cloud control, flexible cable housing provides new options for improving cabling within existing buildings, and the vendor claims significant cost savings.

Goki (gokitech.com) was showing a Wi-Fi door lock that could be opened by a traditional or mobile key or by a numeric code. Online locks have distinct advantages in security and usability but can suffer from the cost of wired power or batteries needed for Wi-Fi connectivity, This is why most hotel locks are offline or use a low-power signal like Bluetooth to communicate. Goki uses rechargeable batteries that need to be rotated 3-4 times per year, which for many hotels may be a reasonable tradeoff for the additional functionality and security (especially since the locks send battery-low warnings). Unlike traditional hotel locks, Goki locks are suitable for unattended locations.

PAUL Tech (paul.tech) is an established German company, just entering the North American market with an unusual building technology that use sensors to learn and optimize the use of energy to heat water, while also measuring potential contaminants. As it learns the building, it may recommend further components such as a heat pump, ultra-filtration, or a photovoltaic system. The energy savings claims sound interesting; heating hot water is a major contributor to hotel energy usage.

PassiveBolt (passivebolt.com) won the HITEC Entrepreneur 20X Judge’s Choice competition; it is the first commercial application of new W3C digital self-sovereign identity standards that I have seen in hotels, with a single app capable of storing multiple digital keys (hotel, rental car, home, office) and verifying the identity of the person presenting them. I highlighted the company and technology, and why it matters, in this blog a few months ago.

Buk (buk.technology), another Entrepreneur 20X competitor, was showing a solution that sells hotel rooms as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). But in a twist from earlier NFT products in the market, the hotel retains control over resale rules, so that third-party distributors cannot arbitrarily buy them up and then undercut the hotel’s retail pricing. I am still skeptical that many hotels will buy in to the concept soon, but it addresses some of the concerns of earlier innovations and may get early traction in certain markets.

Hotel Genie (hotelgenie.app) replaces the guest room phone with a combination Alexa/bedside tablet/mobile app. It represents a maturing of voice activation by integrating it with touch-pad or mobile app requests. You can ask Alexa to call the front desk, or if voice commands are not your thing, you can push a button on the bedside tablet or mobile app to be connected. The tablet provides everything needed to replace the traditional guest room phone, including emergency calls and hotel extensions. The app can also act as a staff alert device.

Yipy (yipy.io) provides an app for recording and reporting staff compliance to standards. You can set it up with standards from a brand or management company, and then customize as needed.  Supervisors can measure compliance to standards by front desk, housekeeping, or other staff by completing custom checklists. Staff can view the standards they will be held to, and audit results highlight problem areas.

LounGenie (www.loungenie.com) had a product that looked great for a poolside or beach cabana at a five-star resort. About the size of a large ice chest, it includes a lockable safe for guest valuables, a USB charger inside the safe, and (surprise) an ice chest. It also has a call button to request service, and the entire unit can serve as a table.

‍Conclusion

‍That’s a wrap for my HITEC review. If I missed something you think I should have on my radar, please reach out. Since I only visited first-time exhibitors, I know there are innovations I did not see, whether from non-first-timers, companies not ready to exhibit, or ones that were not around when I stopped by. But if you have something truly new and different, I would very much like to hear about it!

Click here to read more of Doug's column:
Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

Douglas Rice
Email: douglas.rice@hosptech.net
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ricedouglas

- Sojern Acquires VenueLytics to Bolster Its Platform for the Hospitality Industry
Sojern, the leading travel marketing platform, today announced the acquisition of VenueLytics, the hospitality industry’s most integrated guest experience platform serving independent hotels, resorts, chains and casinos. Sojern will incorporate VenueLytics’ capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform.
www.sojern.com

- Cox Communications Completes Acquisition of Unite Private Networks
Cox Communications has completed the acquisition of commercial fiber provider, Unite Private Networks (UPN). UPN and Cox-owned Segra will form a new standalone fiber company to accelerate growth in the company's commercial fiber solutions.
www.coxbusiness.com

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- VENZA Hires Daniel Santiago to Lead Pen Testing Effort
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that it has hired Daniel Santiago as its Vulnerability Management Lead. In this role, Santiago will work with VENZA’s Security Team to execute the company’s VENZA Pen Testing product.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- VENZA Hires Bill D’Argis as Security Analyst
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has hired Bill D’Argis as a Security Analyst. As a member of the VENZA Security Team, Bill will work in support of products in the company’s best-in-class Everest™ and Denali™ programs.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- Charles Smart Promoted to VENZA Security Team Manager
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has promoted Charles Smart to the position of Security Team Manager.
www.VENZAgroup.com

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- Leading Hospitality Software Solutions Trendsetter Agilysys to Receive the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award

‍The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the United States’ largest hospitality association dedicated to supporting and advocating on behalf of the industry, has announced Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), will receive its inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award as a company that took specific steps to further advance innovation in hospitality.www.Agilysys.com

- Zucchetti North America’s Integrated Suite of Solutions Supports Hoteliers in Driving Direct Bookings & Revenue
Zucchetti North America - the North American outpost of the Italian-based Zucchetti Group – offers the leading, all-in-one, fully integrated tech stack for hotels and lodging accommodations of all sizes and types, designed to streamline business operations and enhance guests’ experience – and the newest features and functionalities on the various solutions provide hoteliers with even more ways to increase revenue.
www.ZucchettiNorthAmerica.com

- AI Creates Happier Guests and Increases Hotel Profitability, Says AI Pioneer
AI creates happier guests and increases hotel profitability, says tech pioneer Frank Reeves, who launched the first AI-powered booking engine in 2017. allora.ai provides booking and retention technology to over 2000 hotels around the world. It recently joined forces with SHR Global to create a new global hospitality tech powerhouse, with an unrivalled suite of products using AI to maximise both the guest’s online experience and hotel revenue.
www.shr.global

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- Red Carnation Centralises Commercial Teams with an Agile Revenue Strategy
The management of Red Carnation Hotel Collection wanted to revitalise its strategic approach to revenue management and consolidate the function within a centralised commercial team. Sarah Glanville, Red Carnation’s director of revenue, had seen the value of IDeaS’ RMS data in informing the wider commercial function and managing performance metrics.
ideas.com

- Duetto Reports Increased Adoption of Revenue Technology
Duetto, the hospitality industry’s #1 Revenue Management System (RMS), has reported an increase in hotel revenue tech investment in the first half of 2023, as hoteliers continue to look for ways to improve revenue and drive team efficiencies. The cloud-based software-as-a-service provider has enjoyed a 30% increase in business in the first half of 2023, compared to new hotel subscriptions in H1 2022.
www.duettocloud.com

- Demand Calendar Showcases Profit-Oriented Revenue Management at HITEC 2023 in Toronto
Demand Calendar, a comprehensive revenue and profit management system, exhibited for the first time at HITEC in Toronto. Demand Calendar, designed with a profit-oriented approach, aims to provide hotel businesses with tools for more accurate total revenue forecasting, effective management of customer acquisition cost, and profit optimization.
www.demandcalendar.com

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- Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
- Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
- PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
- The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
- UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
- INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
- Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
- Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
- JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
- Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
- InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
- MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge

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Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
INTELITY®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced today a new partnership with Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. The fun-seeking hotel has deployed INTELITY’s mobile offerings providing guests with mobile check-in, mobile check-out, and mobile key, while streamlining the day-to-day operations for staff through GEMS® — INTELITY’s suite of staff-facing tools.
www.intelity.com

Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
PPDS, an exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays, is pleased to announce the installation of 286x Chromecast built-in, Netflix-ready, Philips MediaSuite TVs inside the new SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället – one of Sweden’s most popular and picturesque ski resort hotels – providing guests with complete and unrivalled control of their in-room digital entertainment experience.
www.ppds.com

PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
Making its debut to the hospitality market at the show, the groundbreaking full size and full color ePaper digital signage display series delivers vivid, 24/7 content while running on zero power. Philips Tableaux is an ideal replacement for paper-based communications, bringing new digital display opportunities for hospitality environments.
www.ppds.com

The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced a new partnership with The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. The luxury boutique hotel has implemented the INTELITY platform to offer its guests a digital and modern, smart-room experience, as well as leverage INTELITY’s GEMS ® staff-facing tools to streamline its back-of-house operations.
www.intelity.com

UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
Today at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), UrVenue revealed enhancements to UV Enterprise, the hospitality industry's pioneering Property Experience Management System (PXMS). These enhancements introduce a new capability known as Guest Experience, featuring Guest Portal and Guest Services, both of which leverage integrations into leading platforms OpenTable, Hapi and more.
www.urvenue.com

INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, announced today the completion of a brand-wide mobile app with The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), the largest collection of independent luxury hotels, that spans across 80 destinations. The app is specifically designed for both hotel guests, as well as Leaders Club members visiting properties in the organization’s 400-plus portfolio.
www.intelity.com

Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions, announced its participation as an official exhibitor at HITEC Toronto, which took place June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
www.hotelwifi.com

Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
We are excited to introduce our latest update for Nonius Cast: the most amazing logging tool for this type of system, designed to revolutionise your monitoring and troubleshooting experience while improving the guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
JW Marriott São Paulo has implemented several Nonius solutions to improve the guest experience, including Interactive TV, IP Headend for TV Channels and Cast.
noniussolutions.com

Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
Enseo, hospitality’s essential technologies partner, will demo CORE Create, a property content management system, at HITEC Toronto and The Hospitality Show Las Vegas. Prioritizing user convenience along with an elevated guest experience, CORE Create’s easy-to-use web browser allows hotels to edit and publish TV user interface (UI) updates directly to guestroom TVs.
www.enseo.com

InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, today announced that it has inked a global channel distribution partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC).
www.innspire.com

MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge
MCOMS, a leading guest-facing solutions provider for the Hospitality industry, is celebrating 4 years of partnership with Allbridge, a leader in property technology solutions for Hospitality, Multifamily, Senior Living and Student Housing in the United States.
mcoms.com

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- Sage Hospitality Group Leverages Hapi and Salesforce to Centralize Data and Accelerate Innovation
Hapi, a provider of integration solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that Sage Hospitality Group has experienced remarkable transformation in CRM capabilities with the help of Salesforce technology, powered by Hapi. By leveraging Hapi’s Salesforce expertise and Hapi Guest for Salesforce, Sage has seen accelerated results and maximized their utilization of the Salesforce platform.
www.hapicloud.io

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- Amadeus and Knowland Unveil Comprehensive Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index
Group business is critical to hotel recovery and for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) looking to attract visitors. This is why Amadeus, a global leader in hospitality technology, and Knowland, a global provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, are expanding their partnership to deliver new data insights.
www.amadeus-hospitality.com

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- PVNG Integrates with Plaid for Secure Financial Institution Connectivity for Hotels
Aptech is the first hospitality company to link its hotel-specific enterprise accounting solution to the popular data network to achieve seamless, secure access to bank reconciliation data; Visit Aptech in Booth 1301 at HITEC.
www.aptech-inc.com

- YOTEL Extends Its Relationship with PAS to 18 Properties in 10 Countries
Professional Accounting Solutions (PAS), a preferred provider of back office and accounting solutions for the global hospitality industry and the leading provider of Infor SunSystems  and Infor EPM services, announced YOTEL has expanded its relationship with PAS to include 18 properties in 10 countries under the YOTEL, YOTELAIR and YOTELPAD brands.
www.profact.com

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- Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
- Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
- Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
- Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
- InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
- Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
- Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto

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Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the U.S. representing all segments of the industry nationwide, has announced BluIP as a recipient of the organization’s inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award. The annual AHLA Technology Acceleration Award recognizes companies that have taken specific steps to advance innovation in hospitality.
bluip.com

Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, will highlight its latest offering, Vendor Management, at this year’s HITEC in Toronto, taking place June 26-29, 2023. Cloud5’s Vendor Management team will discuss various project types and how this solution can help hotels initiate and manage projects on their roadmap.
cloud5.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it will have a multi-pronged presence at The Hospitality Show in Las Vegas on June 27-29, demonstrating several new solutions it has brought to market, including a Cloud Telephony offering, a firewall solution, additional offerings in its Nomadix Networks product line and more. Nomadix will also showcase its Passpoint solution as a semi-finalist in the HTNG TechOvation Award program.
nomadix.com

Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
TraknProtect, a leading provider of innovative safety solutions for the hospitality industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated LTE 2-Way Radio. This groundbreaking product represents a significant advancement in communication technology, offering enhanced safety, efficiency, and peace of mind for hotel staff.
www.traknprotect.com

Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, and Positron Access Solutions, a specialist in carrier-grade telecommunications products, have partnered together to address the connectivity and cabling challenges experienced by many hospitality companies and MDUs.
cloud5.com

InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, announced a strategic partnership with Positron Access Solutions, a leading provider of carrier-grade telecommunications systems for the hospitality sector and other markets.
www.innspire.com

Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
Percipia, a telephony and mobility solutions and services provider for the hospitality industry, announced it is expanding its partnership with Cisco by delivering Parallax, a hospitality interface gateway for unified communications, to the Webex platform. This integration for the hospitality market allows administrative call control where customers such as hotels can now deploy Webex extensions for calling in guest rooms with caller-ID upon check-in.
www.percipia.com

Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
By using Ethernet over Coax technology on the existing coax network to deliver high-speed internet access, interactive TV, OTT channels and CAST, Centralhotellet was able to optimise its investment and provide a better guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it is demonstrating its new technology solutions and feature enhancements in booth #231 at HITEC Toronto, June 26-29. Nomadix will showcase its “Better Together” strategy of delivering a portfolio of connectivity and engagement solutions for hospitality and adjacent markets of multi-tenant, retail and more.
nomadix.com

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- Verdant Doubles Down to Showcase Its Popular Energy Management Solutions at ‘HITEC’ and ‘The Hospitality Show’
This week hoteliers will have two opportunities to see the latest in energy-management solutions for hotels. Verdant will display its popular digital thermostats at HITEC® Toronto, June 27 to 30 in Booth 607 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, and at The Hospitality Show, June 28 to 29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. While there, the Montreal-based company will introduce a NEW mobile app and a NEW energy service-optimization program.
verdant.co

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- Beekeeper, PredictiveHR Form Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation and Market Growth
Today, Beekeeper, the leading frontline success system, and PredictiveHR, a renowned human resource consulting services provider, jointly announced that the two companies have formed a strategic partnership to foster innovation, expand market reach, and deliver enhanced value to customers. Together, the two companies will work to resolve frontline disconnect, improving communication and engagement for frontline teams.
www.beekeeper.io

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- Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
- SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
- CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
- VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
- Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
- Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?

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Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, has been credited with enhancing the security capabilities of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo with the implementation of several of its advanced security access technologies.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality

SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
Security Validation | SecValMSP ranks among the world’s Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs (http://www.channelE2E.com/top100) for 2023, according to ChannelE2E, a CyberRisk Alliance resource.
securityval.com

CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
CyberTek MSSP today announced that it will be partnering at HITEC with leading companies in the information technology and cybersecurity space to bring unique, unparalleled expertise to its hospitality clients. Joining CyberTek’s booth at the 2023 show will be representatives from AppRiver, Fortinet, and Kaseya—three world-class providers of security tools and services.
www.VENZAgroup.com

VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced the addition of two new products to its lineup: Pathfinder™ onsite training and VENZA Pen Testing.
www.VENZAgroup.com

Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
Strawberry hotels become one of the first outside North America to experience the ease and enhanced efficiency of adopting room keys in Apple Wallet through cooperation with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Mobile Access and Zaplox mobile key lifecycle management solutions.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?
With exhibit booths and expert representatives attending both events, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has got you covered! Be sure to stop by either HITEC booth #1425 or Hospitality Show booth #1031 for up-to-date insight into the latest technologies leading to safer, more efficient hotel operations and ever more satisfied guests.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

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- Next Generation of Hapi Solves for Hotel Data Integrations at Scale
Hapi, the hospitality industry’s leading platform for fast and cost-effective connectivity between technology systems, is excited to announce new infrastructure in partnership with AWS that is providing hotel companies access to critical guest and transactional data in revolutionary ways. Newly built in the Amazon AWS environment, the Hapi Data Platform can provide data from technology systems “at rest,” or in storage, that hotel companies can access quicker.
www.hapicloud.io

- HotelPORT Announces Custom Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services
HotelPORT, a trusted leader in the hospitality industry, announces the launch of their groundbreaking Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services. This transformative suite of solutions is powered by the expertise of their joint-venture member, GP Solutions, a renowned software development firm.
www.hotelport.co

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- Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
- AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
- The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
- Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
- Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference

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Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) celebrated its return to Toronto hosting over 4,500 attendees at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from June 26-29.
www.hftp.org

AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex this week debuted The Hospitality Show (The Show) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas June 27-29, completing a highly successful inaugural year for the event, which drew more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors.
www.ahla.com

The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
Today, Wednesday, June 28, The Hospitality Show (The Show), taking place at The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, held its first full day of programming, welcoming thousands of attendees and featuring and over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality operations and technology solutions.
www.ahla.com

Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
In booth #1309 at the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA’s) The Hospitality ShowJune 27-29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS),will demonstrate solutions that help hospitality organizations follow the EY advice to improve customer experience while also streamlining costs.
www.Agilysys.com

Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference
Agilysys Senior Director of Sales Engineering Thor Hansen to lead the workshop, sharing insights on technology’s critical role in delivering high return hospitality.
www.Agilysys.com

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Well, the dueling conferences of HITEC and The Hospitality Show are now a thing of the past, and I know everyone is thankful for that. Doug Rice adds his thoughts on the two shows in his Definitely Doug column that follows, though I am not sure everyone will agree with him. Then again, the more people I talk to, the more my head spins, but it is great that everybody has an opinion.

I was at HITEC in Toronto as was Doug, and if you want to know where the future of technology is going then you will love what he shares. It is great how he focuses on the little guys who often think way outside the box.

I have attended HITEC every year that I’ve been in the industry. It’s almost embarrassing to say how long that has been! I thank HFTP and the HITEC Advisory Council for letting me lead two sessions the first day of the show. and as you can see from the picture above there was a bit of fun involved. I might never do the “1,3,5,7” then “2,4,6,8” introduction exercise to start to a session again, but it was amazing how much everyone enjoyed it.

Also, if you have any questions about Taylor Swift song lyrics, ask Anthony Melchiorri, Ted Horner or Frank Wolfe. They are now experts. I also must thank Shannon McCallum and AJ Aluri who are both in the picture for their help with the session. The morning session for first-time HITEC attendees was also fun. There was great excitement in the room looking forward to the start of HITEC. I thank all the panelists from both sessions for doing a great job sharing their expertise. For me it was a great way to start my time in Toronto.

Everything we are doing now at Hospitality Upgrade has one focus, 21st CIO Summit on Sept. 6 in Austin, Texas. There were so many international attendees who joined us last year along with just about every major brand and most management companies. When you get a crowd like this it is amazing what gets shared amongst those in attendance. If your technology leader has not registered yet or received an invite, please email me at rich@hospitalityupgrade.com. We already have so many first timers registered for Austin, and it motivates us beyond belief. Yes, there will also be some creative surprises this year and that is all I can share right now.

One last thing, and it’s a big thank you to all who checked in with me at HITEC Toronto. I’ve been told that knee replacement will make me a happy person at some point, but the time it takes to recover and get the knee to do what it’s supposed to do is a challenge. No one will ever accuse me of being the most patient person in the world and this recovery is a test of my patience. So many asked how I was doing, and I thank everyone for that. Nothing like having a knee replaced and going to HITEC, walking the show, and then doing the many parties at night. But I survived. I think. 😊

Here now is Definitely Doug and the latest technology happenings in our industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Then it’s off to Saratoga, which is what I look forward to every July. If you haven’t been, do it. You will thank me!

‍

Rich

‍rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

With HITEC 2023 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for a wrap-up of what was new, different, and interesting on the show floor. As usual, I tried to visit every first-time exhibitor for at least an overview. There were 89 newbies, of which I was able to visit 75. One was a complete no-show, while 13 others had unattended booths when visited.

The Dueling Shows

Everybody has been asking about the impact of The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), the inaugural of which was scheduled in Las Vegas during the same week as HITEC in Toronto. While I only attended HITEC, I spoke with several vendor executives who attended both. The HITEC vibe was somewhat upbeat; most exhibitors felt that traffic was light, but quality was high. Attendance suffered significantly due to major flight disruptions at the start of the week, which caused many to arrive a day or two late (or not at all). Others arrived on time but left early to fly to Las Vegas to catch part of The Show. I knew that some HITEC regulars had chosen Las Vegas this year, but it was few enough that from a networking standpoint, HITEC still felt like the usual annual chance to catch up with old friends – some of whom you would inevitably miss even if you were both there.

Reports on The Show were generally positive, despite the flak that the organizers American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex took for scheduling it at the same time as HITEC. Floor traffic was described as light, particularly on the second day, but the event met its objective of getting business buyers rather than just IT leaders; several vendors commented that this was what they really needed. Conference sessions were well-attended, high quality, and relevant. I look forward to attending next year, when the dates will not conflict.

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With HITEC 2023 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for a wrap-up of what was new, different, and interesting on the show floor. As usual, I tried to visit every first-time exhibitor for at least an overview. There were 89 newbies, of which I was able to visit 75. One was a complete no-show, while 13 others had unattended booths when visited.

The Dueling Shows

Everybody has been asking about the impact of The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), the inaugural of which was scheduled in Las Vegas during the same week as HITEC in Toronto. While I only attended HITEC, I spoke with several vendor executives who attended both. The HITEC vibe was somewhat upbeat; most exhibitors felt that traffic was light, but quality was high. Attendance suffered significantly due to major flight disruptions at the start of the week, which caused many to arrive a day or two late (or not at all). Others arrived on time but left early to fly to Las Vegas to catch part of The Show. I knew that some HITEC regulars had chosen Las Vegas this year, but it was few enough that from a networking standpoint, HITEC still felt like the usual annual chance to catch up with old friends – some of whom you would inevitably miss even if you were both there.

Reports on The Show were generally positive, despite the flak that the organizers American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex took for scheduling it at the same time as HITEC. Floor traffic was described as light, particularly on the second day, but the event met its objective of getting business buyers rather than just IT leaders; several vendors commented that this was what they really needed. Conference sessions were well-attended, high quality, and relevant. I look forward to attending next year, when the dates will not conflict.

Emerging Tech Trends at HITEC

I learned years ago that if you want to see emerging technologies at HITEC, your best bet is to concentrate on the small booths around the edges of the show floor, where startups and early-stage companies usually dominate. To be sure, established vendors sometimes launch blockbuster innovations, but mostly they just refine or enhance already-familiar products; with large customer bases and recognized names, they have much less challenge communicating what they are doing to the industry. And while some of the first-time exhibitors offer nothing particularly new, others have ideas that could potentially disrupt incumbents or even create new categories. That is what I look for as I walk the exhibit floor.

I organized what I saw into some major themes, which I will outline here. After that I will move on to some of the specific “notable” new products I found.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): It would be hard to say that anything dominated the trends as much as AI. It might be easier to list the companies that did NOT claim to use AI than those that did. Unfortunately, most of the claims are simply marketing-speak and will not hold up to scrutiny. And with just a few minutes to spend with each vendor, it was impossible to dive deep enough under the covers to tell which ones were real vs. wishful thinking.

I plan to do a more in-depth look at AI in a future blog, but first-time exhibitors that had at least credible-on-the-surface AI claims included Tenyx (contact center), co-exhibitors Stobee and Asksuite (chatbot), Myma.ai (also chatbot), LocalEyes (a chatbot with a particular strength in local businesses and activities around the hotel), and Pricingservice.ai (Entrepreneur 20X participant offering revenue management as a service). The chatbots join a large set of existing players. Chatbots have become largely commoditized; I know of more than 100 selling into hospitality today, and few really stand out from the crowd. Some do appear to be emerging that use generative AI, but most are still using natural language processing plus rules engines, older technologies which are much more limited in their ability to seem human.

Personalization and Upselling: For many hoteliers, the holy grail is the ability to present a personalized, custom offering to each guest, based on factors such as size/makeup of the party, inferred or known demographics, days of the week, length of stay, history, and other factors. While there are many limitations to doing this at scale, there are more and more products chipping away at the edges. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms play a role here, but mostly as a source of data, where they are largely similar. The innovation I saw was happening more at the fringes of the distribution process, particularly in direct channels or direct post-booking communications. Emerging companies I would look at closer in this category include Booking Whizz, dot.cy, Thynk, and UrVenue.

Robotics: In case you missed it, I recently wrote about the rise of robotics (and not just for saving labor) in a two-part series here and here. I said the area was starting to gain real traction, and that was in evidence at HITEC, with three new vendors (Aethon, Piaggio Fast Forward, and Robotis) joining prior exhibitors Relay Robotics and Tailos (formerly Maidbot). I predict that in another year, we will have at least three more robot companies exhibiting, and there will be more focus on specific use cases. Today, some of the vendors seem to still be exploring the opportunities, and plan to adapt their products to meet some of the best opportunities over the next year.

Reconciliations: Staff shortages have highlighted the number of time-consuming manual reconciliation processes that hotels need to undertake to make certain that revenue and profit do not slip through the cracks. These are being met by targeted products (x-quic’s OTA Savings audits and reconciles commissions due to online travel agents, which are often wrong due to reservation changes at or after check-in), embedded capabilities in existing products such as reconciling bank credits to credit card transactions, and tools to automate manual processes (robotic process automation companies Robosize ME, a first-time exhibitor, and Aphy, a contestant in this year’s Entrepreneur 20x competition).

Tipping: Several companies were exhibiting digital tipping capabilities for the first time, including buku, Kickfin, and Tip&Go (two others, Grazzy, and TipYo, were exhibiting at The Show but not at HITEC). Some of these companies still have payroll tax compliance on their roadmap (or are ignoring it), and most still do not support the most guest-friendly settlement method, which is charging tips the guest folio so they can be seamlessly included in expense reports. I expect this space will both grow and shake out some competitors over the coming year, with winners supporting payroll integration for tax reporting, integration with Property Management Systems for folio charges, app integration for “set and forget” automated tipping, and early/immediate access to some or all tip income through direct deposit. These are needed to recognize the end objective of getting more money in the hands of tipped employees without hotels having to raise wages.

Ten Products of Note

‍There were plenty of new products of interest this year. I have highlighted ten that caught my eye here. I only had a few minutes to visit each one, just enough to learn what the product does and not nearly enough to really assess it. Not all these ideas may pass a closer inspection, but I found them interesting enough to want to learn more. They all have promise, although some are early stage and may need quite a bit of refinement.

Hovr (gethovr.com) was showing a toolkit that could make any website more interactive and immersive, adding videos, pop-ups, and other rich content. Only a single line of inserted HTML is required on the website itself; the platform allows you to then overlay the material where you want, and it responds to mouse actions by the user, showing a popup when you hover over certain words, or playing a video. It enables re-use of social media videos, case studies, marketing shots and more on a website to highlight key features, showcase reviews, and answer FAQs.

bodhi (bodhi.software) is a cloud-based building management platform that centrally monitors, analyzes, schedules and controls all of the hotel’s technology from a single interface, including lighting, climate, water, electrical metering, audio/visual and other building technologies. They have partnered with numerous common providers of sensors and controls to hospitality. Overall, it was impressive, although their architecture currently supports only online door locks, which are rare in hotels.

Omnifi (omnifi.io; as of July 13, the website still shows them in stealth mode) launched a new cabling product at HITEC that embeds Ethernet cable within a rectangular strip made of a firm foam, which can be run through plenum, false ceilings, or along ceilings (it is paintable and could be made to look like a simple crown molding). Together with switches and cloud control, flexible cable housing provides new options for improving cabling within existing buildings, and the vendor claims significant cost savings.

Goki (gokitech.com) was showing a Wi-Fi door lock that could be opened by a traditional or mobile key or by a numeric code. Online locks have distinct advantages in security and usability but can suffer from the cost of wired power or batteries needed for Wi-Fi connectivity, This is why most hotel locks are offline or use a low-power signal like Bluetooth to communicate. Goki uses rechargeable batteries that need to be rotated 3-4 times per year, which for many hotels may be a reasonable tradeoff for the additional functionality and security (especially since the locks send battery-low warnings). Unlike traditional hotel locks, Goki locks are suitable for unattended locations.

PAUL Tech (paul.tech) is an established German company, just entering the North American market with an unusual building technology that use sensors to learn and optimize the use of energy to heat water, while also measuring potential contaminants. As it learns the building, it may recommend further components such as a heat pump, ultra-filtration, or a photovoltaic system. The energy savings claims sound interesting; heating hot water is a major contributor to hotel energy usage.

PassiveBolt (passivebolt.com) won the HITEC Entrepreneur 20X Judge’s Choice competition; it is the first commercial application of new W3C digital self-sovereign identity standards that I have seen in hotels, with a single app capable of storing multiple digital keys (hotel, rental car, home, office) and verifying the identity of the person presenting them. I highlighted the company and technology, and why it matters, in this blog a few months ago.

Buk (buk.technology), another Entrepreneur 20X competitor, was showing a solution that sells hotel rooms as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). But in a twist from earlier NFT products in the market, the hotel retains control over resale rules, so that third-party distributors cannot arbitrarily buy them up and then undercut the hotel’s retail pricing. I am still skeptical that many hotels will buy in to the concept soon, but it addresses some of the concerns of earlier innovations and may get early traction in certain markets.

Hotel Genie (hotelgenie.app) replaces the guest room phone with a combination Alexa/bedside tablet/mobile app. It represents a maturing of voice activation by integrating it with touch-pad or mobile app requests. You can ask Alexa to call the front desk, or if voice commands are not your thing, you can push a button on the bedside tablet or mobile app to be connected. The tablet provides everything needed to replace the traditional guest room phone, including emergency calls and hotel extensions. The app can also act as a staff alert device.

Yipy (yipy.io) provides an app for recording and reporting staff compliance to standards. You can set it up with standards from a brand or management company, and then customize as needed.  Supervisors can measure compliance to standards by front desk, housekeeping, or other staff by completing custom checklists. Staff can view the standards they will be held to, and audit results highlight problem areas.

LounGenie (www.loungenie.com) had a product that looked great for a poolside or beach cabana at a five-star resort. About the size of a large ice chest, it includes a lockable safe for guest valuables, a USB charger inside the safe, and (surprise) an ice chest. It also has a call button to request service, and the entire unit can serve as a table.

‍Conclusion

‍That’s a wrap for my HITEC review. If I missed something you think I should have on my radar, please reach out. Since I only visited first-time exhibitors, I know there are innovations I did not see, whether from non-first-timers, companies not ready to exhibit, or ones that were not around when I stopped by. But if you have something truly new and different, I would very much like to hear about it!

Click here to read more of Doug's column:
Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

Douglas Rice
Email: douglas.rice@hosptech.net
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ricedouglas

CORPORATE NEWS

- Sojern Acquires VenueLytics to Bolster Its Platform for the Hospitality Industry
Sojern, the leading travel marketing platform, today announced the acquisition of VenueLytics, the hospitality industry’s most integrated guest experience platform serving independent hotels, resorts, chains and casinos. Sojern will incorporate VenueLytics’ capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform.
www.sojern.com

- Cox Communications Completes Acquisition of Unite Private Networks
Cox Communications has completed the acquisition of commercial fiber provider, Unite Private Networks (UPN). UPN and Cox-owned Segra will form a new standalone fiber company to accelerate growth in the company's commercial fiber solutions.
www.coxbusiness.com

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

- VENZA Hires Daniel Santiago to Lead Pen Testing Effort
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that it has hired Daniel Santiago as its Vulnerability Management Lead. In this role, Santiago will work with VENZA’s Security Team to execute the company’s VENZA Pen Testing product.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- VENZA Hires Bill D’Argis as Security Analyst
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has hired Bill D’Argis as a Security Analyst. As a member of the VENZA Security Team, Bill will work in support of products in the company’s best-in-class Everest™ and Denali™ programs.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- Charles Smart Promoted to VENZA Security Team Manager
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has promoted Charles Smart to the position of Security Team Manager.
www.VENZAgroup.com

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GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

- Leading Hospitality Software Solutions Trendsetter Agilysys to Receive the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award

‍The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the United States’ largest hospitality association dedicated to supporting and advocating on behalf of the industry, has announced Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), will receive its inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award as a company that took specific steps to further advance innovation in hospitality.www.Agilysys.com

RESERVATIONS & DISTRIBUTION

- Zucchetti North America’s Integrated Suite of Solutions Supports Hoteliers in Driving Direct Bookings & Revenue
Zucchetti North America - the North American outpost of the Italian-based Zucchetti Group – offers the leading, all-in-one, fully integrated tech stack for hotels and lodging accommodations of all sizes and types, designed to streamline business operations and enhance guests’ experience – and the newest features and functionalities on the various solutions provide hoteliers with even more ways to increase revenue.
www.ZucchettiNorthAmerica.com

- AI Creates Happier Guests and Increases Hotel Profitability, Says AI Pioneer
AI creates happier guests and increases hotel profitability, says tech pioneer Frank Reeves, who launched the first AI-powered booking engine in 2017. allora.ai provides booking and retention technology to over 2000 hotels around the world. It recently joined forces with SHR Global to create a new global hospitality tech powerhouse, with an unrivalled suite of products using AI to maximise both the guest’s online experience and hotel revenue.
www.shr.global

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REVENUE MANAGEMENT & ANALYTICS

- Red Carnation Centralises Commercial Teams with an Agile Revenue Strategy
The management of Red Carnation Hotel Collection wanted to revitalise its strategic approach to revenue management and consolidate the function within a centralised commercial team. Sarah Glanville, Red Carnation’s director of revenue, had seen the value of IDeaS’ RMS data in informing the wider commercial function and managing performance metrics.
ideas.com

- Duetto Reports Increased Adoption of Revenue Technology
Duetto, the hospitality industry’s #1 Revenue Management System (RMS), has reported an increase in hotel revenue tech investment in the first half of 2023, as hoteliers continue to look for ways to improve revenue and drive team efficiencies. The cloud-based software-as-a-service provider has enjoyed a 30% increase in business in the first half of 2023, compared to new hotel subscriptions in H1 2022.
www.duettocloud.com

- Demand Calendar Showcases Profit-Oriented Revenue Management at HITEC 2023 in Toronto
Demand Calendar, a comprehensive revenue and profit management system, exhibited for the first time at HITEC in Toronto. Demand Calendar, designed with a profit-oriented approach, aims to provide hotel businesses with tools for more accurate total revenue forecasting, effective management of customer acquisition cost, and profit optimization.
www.demandcalendar.com

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GUEST FACING TECHNOLOGY

- Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
- Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
- PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
- The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
- UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
- INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
- Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
- Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
- JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
- Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
- InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
- MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge

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Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
INTELITY®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced today a new partnership with Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. The fun-seeking hotel has deployed INTELITY’s mobile offerings providing guests with mobile check-in, mobile check-out, and mobile key, while streamlining the day-to-day operations for staff through GEMS® — INTELITY’s suite of staff-facing tools.
www.intelity.com

Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
PPDS, an exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays, is pleased to announce the installation of 286x Chromecast built-in, Netflix-ready, Philips MediaSuite TVs inside the new SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället – one of Sweden’s most popular and picturesque ski resort hotels – providing guests with complete and unrivalled control of their in-room digital entertainment experience.
www.ppds.com

PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
Making its debut to the hospitality market at the show, the groundbreaking full size and full color ePaper digital signage display series delivers vivid, 24/7 content while running on zero power. Philips Tableaux is an ideal replacement for paper-based communications, bringing new digital display opportunities for hospitality environments.
www.ppds.com

The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced a new partnership with The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. The luxury boutique hotel has implemented the INTELITY platform to offer its guests a digital and modern, smart-room experience, as well as leverage INTELITY’s GEMS ® staff-facing tools to streamline its back-of-house operations.
www.intelity.com

UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
Today at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), UrVenue revealed enhancements to UV Enterprise, the hospitality industry's pioneering Property Experience Management System (PXMS). These enhancements introduce a new capability known as Guest Experience, featuring Guest Portal and Guest Services, both of which leverage integrations into leading platforms OpenTable, Hapi and more.
www.urvenue.com

INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, announced today the completion of a brand-wide mobile app with The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), the largest collection of independent luxury hotels, that spans across 80 destinations. The app is specifically designed for both hotel guests, as well as Leaders Club members visiting properties in the organization’s 400-plus portfolio.
www.intelity.com

Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions, announced its participation as an official exhibitor at HITEC Toronto, which took place June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
www.hotelwifi.com

Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
We are excited to introduce our latest update for Nonius Cast: the most amazing logging tool for this type of system, designed to revolutionise your monitoring and troubleshooting experience while improving the guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
JW Marriott São Paulo has implemented several Nonius solutions to improve the guest experience, including Interactive TV, IP Headend for TV Channels and Cast.
noniussolutions.com

Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
Enseo, hospitality’s essential technologies partner, will demo CORE Create, a property content management system, at HITEC Toronto and The Hospitality Show Las Vegas. Prioritizing user convenience along with an elevated guest experience, CORE Create’s easy-to-use web browser allows hotels to edit and publish TV user interface (UI) updates directly to guestroom TVs.
www.enseo.com

InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, today announced that it has inked a global channel distribution partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC).
www.innspire.com

MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge
MCOMS, a leading guest-facing solutions provider for the Hospitality industry, is celebrating 4 years of partnership with Allbridge, a leader in property technology solutions for Hospitality, Multifamily, Senior Living and Student Housing in the United States.
mcoms.com

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MARKETING

- Sage Hospitality Group Leverages Hapi and Salesforce to Centralize Data and Accelerate Innovation
Hapi, a provider of integration solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that Sage Hospitality Group has experienced remarkable transformation in CRM capabilities with the help of Salesforce technology, powered by Hapi. By leveraging Hapi’s Salesforce expertise and Hapi Guest for Salesforce, Sage has seen accelerated results and maximized their utilization of the Salesforce platform.
www.hapicloud.io

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SALES & CATERING

- Amadeus and Knowland Unveil Comprehensive Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index
Group business is critical to hotel recovery and for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) looking to attract visitors. This is why Amadeus, a global leader in hospitality technology, and Knowland, a global provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, are expanding their partnership to deliver new data insights.
www.amadeus-hospitality.com

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BACK OFFICE

- PVNG Integrates with Plaid for Secure Financial Institution Connectivity for Hotels
Aptech is the first hospitality company to link its hotel-specific enterprise accounting solution to the popular data network to achieve seamless, secure access to bank reconciliation data; Visit Aptech in Booth 1301 at HITEC.
www.aptech-inc.com

- YOTEL Extends Its Relationship with PAS to 18 Properties in 10 Countries
Professional Accounting Solutions (PAS), a preferred provider of back office and accounting solutions for the global hospitality industry and the leading provider of Infor SunSystems  and Infor EPM services, announced YOTEL has expanded its relationship with PAS to include 18 properties in 10 countries under the YOTEL, YOTELAIR and YOTELPAD brands.
www.profact.com

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COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE

- Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
- Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
- Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
- Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
- InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
- Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
- Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto

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Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the U.S. representing all segments of the industry nationwide, has announced BluIP as a recipient of the organization’s inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award. The annual AHLA Technology Acceleration Award recognizes companies that have taken specific steps to advance innovation in hospitality.
bluip.com

Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, will highlight its latest offering, Vendor Management, at this year’s HITEC in Toronto, taking place June 26-29, 2023. Cloud5’s Vendor Management team will discuss various project types and how this solution can help hotels initiate and manage projects on their roadmap.
cloud5.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it will have a multi-pronged presence at The Hospitality Show in Las Vegas on June 27-29, demonstrating several new solutions it has brought to market, including a Cloud Telephony offering, a firewall solution, additional offerings in its Nomadix Networks product line and more. Nomadix will also showcase its Passpoint solution as a semi-finalist in the HTNG TechOvation Award program.
nomadix.com

Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
TraknProtect, a leading provider of innovative safety solutions for the hospitality industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated LTE 2-Way Radio. This groundbreaking product represents a significant advancement in communication technology, offering enhanced safety, efficiency, and peace of mind for hotel staff.
www.traknprotect.com

Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, and Positron Access Solutions, a specialist in carrier-grade telecommunications products, have partnered together to address the connectivity and cabling challenges experienced by many hospitality companies and MDUs.
cloud5.com

InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, announced a strategic partnership with Positron Access Solutions, a leading provider of carrier-grade telecommunications systems for the hospitality sector and other markets.
www.innspire.com

Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
Percipia, a telephony and mobility solutions and services provider for the hospitality industry, announced it is expanding its partnership with Cisco by delivering Parallax, a hospitality interface gateway for unified communications, to the Webex platform. This integration for the hospitality market allows administrative call control where customers such as hotels can now deploy Webex extensions for calling in guest rooms with caller-ID upon check-in.
www.percipia.com

Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
By using Ethernet over Coax technology on the existing coax network to deliver high-speed internet access, interactive TV, OTT channels and CAST, Centralhotellet was able to optimise its investment and provide a better guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it is demonstrating its new technology solutions and feature enhancements in booth #231 at HITEC Toronto, June 26-29. Nomadix will showcase its “Better Together” strategy of delivering a portfolio of connectivity and engagement solutions for hospitality and adjacent markets of multi-tenant, retail and more.
nomadix.com

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OPERATIONS

- Verdant Doubles Down to Showcase Its Popular Energy Management Solutions at ‘HITEC’ and ‘The Hospitality Show’
This week hoteliers will have two opportunities to see the latest in energy-management solutions for hotels. Verdant will display its popular digital thermostats at HITEC® Toronto, June 27 to 30 in Booth 607 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, and at The Hospitality Show, June 28 to 29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. While there, the Montreal-based company will introduce a NEW mobile app and a NEW energy service-optimization program.
verdant.co

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HUMAN RESOURCES

- Beekeeper, PredictiveHR Form Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation and Market Growth
Today, Beekeeper, the leading frontline success system, and PredictiveHR, a renowned human resource consulting services provider, jointly announced that the two companies have formed a strategic partnership to foster innovation, expand market reach, and deliver enhanced value to customers. Together, the two companies will work to resolve frontline disconnect, improving communication and engagement for frontline teams.
www.beekeeper.io

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SECURITY

- Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
- SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
- CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
- VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
- Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
- Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?

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Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, has been credited with enhancing the security capabilities of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo with the implementation of several of its advanced security access technologies.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality

SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
Security Validation | SecValMSP ranks among the world’s Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs (http://www.channelE2E.com/top100) for 2023, according to ChannelE2E, a CyberRisk Alliance resource.
securityval.com

CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
CyberTek MSSP today announced that it will be partnering at HITEC with leading companies in the information technology and cybersecurity space to bring unique, unparalleled expertise to its hospitality clients. Joining CyberTek’s booth at the 2023 show will be representatives from AppRiver, Fortinet, and Kaseya—three world-class providers of security tools and services.
www.VENZAgroup.com

VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced the addition of two new products to its lineup: Pathfinder™ onsite training and VENZA Pen Testing.
www.VENZAgroup.com

Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
Strawberry hotels become one of the first outside North America to experience the ease and enhanced efficiency of adopting room keys in Apple Wallet through cooperation with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Mobile Access and Zaplox mobile key lifecycle management solutions.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?
With exhibit booths and expert representatives attending both events, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has got you covered! Be sure to stop by either HITEC booth #1425 or Hospitality Show booth #1031 for up-to-date insight into the latest technologies leading to safer, more efficient hotel operations and ever more satisfied guests.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

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ARCHITECTURE & INTEGRATION

- Next Generation of Hapi Solves for Hotel Data Integrations at Scale
Hapi, the hospitality industry’s leading platform for fast and cost-effective connectivity between technology systems, is excited to announce new infrastructure in partnership with AWS that is providing hotel companies access to critical guest and transactional data in revolutionary ways. Newly built in the Amazon AWS environment, the Hapi Data Platform can provide data from technology systems “at rest,” or in storage, that hotel companies can access quicker.
www.hapicloud.io

- HotelPORT Announces Custom Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services
HotelPORT, a trusted leader in the hospitality industry, announces the launch of their groundbreaking Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services. This transformative suite of solutions is powered by the expertise of their joint-venture member, GP Solutions, a renowned software development firm.
www.hotelport.co

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HOSPITALITY EVENTS AND ASSOCIATION NEWS

- Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
- AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
- The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
- Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
- Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference

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Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) celebrated its return to Toronto hosting over 4,500 attendees at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from June 26-29.
www.hftp.org

AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex this week debuted The Hospitality Show (The Show) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas June 27-29, completing a highly successful inaugural year for the event, which drew more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors.
www.ahla.com

The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
Today, Wednesday, June 28, The Hospitality Show (The Show), taking place at The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, held its first full day of programming, welcoming thousands of attendees and featuring and over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality operations and technology solutions.
www.ahla.com

Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
In booth #1309 at the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA’s) The Hospitality ShowJune 27-29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS),will demonstrate solutions that help hospitality organizations follow the EY advice to improve customer experience while also streamlining costs.
www.Agilysys.com

Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference
Agilysys Senior Director of Sales Engineering Thor Hansen to lead the workshop, sharing insights on technology’s critical role in delivering high return hospitality.
www.Agilysys.com

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MARKET REPORTS

- Knowland Reports Meetings and Events Growth for June at 30.3 Percent

‍Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports June meeting and event volume is up 30.3 percent over June 2022.Austin, TX, and Nashville, TN, were the stars, with growth topping 74 percent and 42 percent, respectively.www.knowland.com

PIQUED OUR INTEREST

There's a Real-Time Revolution Happening in Hotel OperationsHotel Tech, Marketing Experts Say Industry Must Take a 'Quantum Leap' in InnovationDo's and Don'ts of Hotel ChatbotsBusiness Travel Leaders Cautious on Generative AI, Tout Benefits

Well, the dueling conferences of HITEC and The Hospitality Show are now a thing of the past, and I know everyone is thankful for that. Doug Rice adds his thoughts on the two shows in his Definitely Doug column that follows, though I am not sure everyone will agree with him. Then again, the more people I talk to, the more my head spins, but it is great that everybody has an opinion.

I was at HITEC in Toronto as was Doug, and if you want to know where the future of technology is going then you will love what he shares. It is great how he focuses on the little guys who often think way outside the box.

I have attended HITEC every year that I’ve been in the industry. It’s almost embarrassing to say how long that has been! I thank HFTP and the HITEC Advisory Council for letting me lead two sessions the first day of the show. and as you can see from the picture above there was a bit of fun involved. I might never do the “1,3,5,7” then “2,4,6,8” introduction exercise to start to a session again, but it was amazing how much everyone enjoyed it.

Also, if you have any questions about Taylor Swift song lyrics, ask Anthony Melchiorri, Ted Horner or Frank Wolfe. They are now experts. I also must thank Shannon McCallum and AJ Aluri who are both in the picture for their help with the session. The morning session for first-time HITEC attendees was also fun. There was great excitement in the room looking forward to the start of HITEC. I thank all the panelists from both sessions for doing a great job sharing their expertise. For me it was a great way to start my time in Toronto.

Everything we are doing now at Hospitality Upgrade has one focus, 21st CIO Summit on Sept. 6 in Austin, Texas. There were so many international attendees who joined us last year along with just about every major brand and most management companies. When you get a crowd like this it is amazing what gets shared amongst those in attendance. If your technology leader has not registered yet or received an invite, please email me at rich@hospitalityupgrade.com. We already have so many first timers registered for Austin, and it motivates us beyond belief. Yes, there will also be some creative surprises this year and that is all I can share right now.

One last thing, and it’s a big thank you to all who checked in with me at HITEC Toronto. I’ve been told that knee replacement will make me a happy person at some point, but the time it takes to recover and get the knee to do what it’s supposed to do is a challenge. No one will ever accuse me of being the most patient person in the world and this recovery is a test of my patience. So many asked how I was doing, and I thank everyone for that. Nothing like having a knee replaced and going to HITEC, walking the show, and then doing the many parties at night. But I survived. I think. 😊

Here now is Definitely Doug and the latest technology happenings in our industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Then it’s off to Saratoga, which is what I look forward to every July. If you haven’t been, do it. You will thank me!

‍

Rich

‍rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

Siegel Sez 7/14/23

Well, the dueling conferences of HITEC and The Hospitality Show are now a thing of the past, and I know everyone is thankful for that. Doug Rice adds his thoughts on the two shows in his Definitely Doug column that follows, though I am not sure everyone will agree with him. Then again, the more people I talk to, the more my head spins, but it is great that everybody has an opinion.

I was at HITEC in Toronto as was Doug, and if you want to know where the future of technology is going then you will love what he shares. It is great how he focuses on the little guys who often think way outside the box.

I have attended HITEC every year that I’ve been in the industry. It’s almost embarrassing to say how long that has been! I thank HFTP and the HITEC Advisory Council for letting me lead two sessions the first day of the show. and as you can see from the picture above there was a bit of fun involved. I might never do the “1,3,5,7” then “2,4,6,8” introduction exercise to start to a session again, but it was amazing how much everyone enjoyed it.

Also, if you have any questions about Taylor Swift song lyrics, ask Anthony Melchiorri, Ted Horner or Frank Wolfe. They are now experts. I also must thank Shannon McCallum and AJ Aluri who are both in the picture for their help with the session. The morning session for first-time HITEC attendees was also fun. There was great excitement in the room looking forward to the start of HITEC. I thank all the panelists from both sessions for doing a great job sharing their expertise. For me it was a great way to start my time in Toronto.

Everything we are doing now at Hospitality Upgrade has one focus, 21st CIO Summit on Sept. 6 in Austin, Texas. There were so many international attendees who joined us last year along with just about every major brand and most management companies. When you get a crowd like this it is amazing what gets shared amongst those in attendance. If your technology leader has not registered yet or received an invite, please email me at rich@hospitalityupgrade.com. We already have so many first timers registered for Austin, and it motivates us beyond belief. Yes, there will also be some creative surprises this year and that is all I can share right now.

One last thing, and it’s a big thank you to all who checked in with me at HITEC Toronto. I’ve been told that knee replacement will make me a happy person at some point, but the time it takes to recover and get the knee to do what it’s supposed to do is a challenge. No one will ever accuse me of being the most patient person in the world and this recovery is a test of my patience. So many asked how I was doing, and I thank everyone for that. Nothing like having a knee replaced and going to HITEC, walking the show, and then doing the many parties at night. But I survived. I think. 😊

Here now is Definitely Doug and the latest technology happenings in our industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Then it’s off to Saratoga, which is what I look forward to every July. If you haven’t been, do it. You will thank me!

‍

Rich

‍rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

With HITEC 2023 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for a wrap-up of what was new, different, and interesting on the show floor. As usual, I tried to visit every first-time exhibitor for at least an overview. There were 89 newbies, of which I was able to visit 75. One was a complete no-show, while 13 others had unattended booths when visited.

The Dueling Shows

Everybody has been asking about the impact of The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), the inaugural of which was scheduled in Las Vegas during the same week as HITEC in Toronto. While I only attended HITEC, I spoke with several vendor executives who attended both. The HITEC vibe was somewhat upbeat; most exhibitors felt that traffic was light, but quality was high. Attendance suffered significantly due to major flight disruptions at the start of the week, which caused many to arrive a day or two late (or not at all). Others arrived on time but left early to fly to Las Vegas to catch part of The Show. I knew that some HITEC regulars had chosen Las Vegas this year, but it was few enough that from a networking standpoint, HITEC still felt like the usual annual chance to catch up with old friends – some of whom you would inevitably miss even if you were both there.

Reports on The Show were generally positive, despite the flak that the organizers American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex took for scheduling it at the same time as HITEC. Floor traffic was described as light, particularly on the second day, but the event met its objective of getting business buyers rather than just IT leaders; several vendors commented that this was what they really needed. Conference sessions were well-attended, high quality, and relevant. I look forward to attending next year, when the dates will not conflict.

‍

Click here to read more of Doug's column:
Definitely Doug 7/14/23: What Was New at HITEC 2023?

Douglas Rice
Email: douglas.rice@hosptech.net
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ricedouglas

CORPORATE NEWS

- Sojern Acquires VenueLytics to Bolster Its Platform for the Hospitality Industry
Sojern, the leading travel marketing platform, today announced the acquisition of VenueLytics, the hospitality industry’s most integrated guest experience platform serving independent hotels, resorts, chains and casinos. Sojern will incorporate VenueLytics’ capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform.
www.sojern.com

- Cox Communications Completes Acquisition of Unite Private Networks
Cox Communications has completed the acquisition of commercial fiber provider, Unite Private Networks (UPN). UPN and Cox-owned Segra will form a new standalone fiber company to accelerate growth in the company's commercial fiber solutions.
www.coxbusiness.com

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

- VENZA Hires Daniel Santiago to Lead Pen Testing Effort
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that it has hired Daniel Santiago as its Vulnerability Management Lead. In this role, Santiago will work with VENZA’s Security Team to execute the company’s VENZA Pen Testing product.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- VENZA Hires Bill D’Argis as Security Analyst
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has hired Bill D’Argis as a Security Analyst. As a member of the VENZA Security Team, Bill will work in support of products in the company’s best-in-class Everest™ and Denali™ programs.
www.VENZAgroup.com

- Charles Smart Promoted to VENZA Security Team Manager
VENZA, a leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has promoted Charles Smart to the position of Security Team Manager.
www.VENZAgroup.com

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GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

- Leading Hospitality Software Solutions Trendsetter Agilysys to Receive the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award

‍The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the United States’ largest hospitality association dedicated to supporting and advocating on behalf of the industry, has announced Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), will receive its inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award as a company that took specific steps to further advance innovation in hospitality.www.Agilysys.com

RESERVATIONS & DISTRIBUTION

- Zucchetti North America’s Integrated Suite of Solutions Supports Hoteliers in Driving Direct Bookings & Revenue
Zucchetti North America - the North American outpost of the Italian-based Zucchetti Group – offers the leading, all-in-one, fully integrated tech stack for hotels and lodging accommodations of all sizes and types, designed to streamline business operations and enhance guests’ experience – and the newest features and functionalities on the various solutions provide hoteliers with even more ways to increase revenue.
www.ZucchettiNorthAmerica.com

- AI Creates Happier Guests and Increases Hotel Profitability, Says AI Pioneer
AI creates happier guests and increases hotel profitability, says tech pioneer Frank Reeves, who launched the first AI-powered booking engine in 2017. allora.ai provides booking and retention technology to over 2000 hotels around the world. It recently joined forces with SHR Global to create a new global hospitality tech powerhouse, with an unrivalled suite of products using AI to maximise both the guest’s online experience and hotel revenue.
www.shr.global

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REVENUE MANAGEMENT & ANALYTICS

- Red Carnation Centralises Commercial Teams with an Agile Revenue Strategy
The management of Red Carnation Hotel Collection wanted to revitalise its strategic approach to revenue management and consolidate the function within a centralised commercial team. Sarah Glanville, Red Carnation’s director of revenue, had seen the value of IDeaS’ RMS data in informing the wider commercial function and managing performance metrics.
ideas.com

- Duetto Reports Increased Adoption of Revenue Technology
Duetto, the hospitality industry’s #1 Revenue Management System (RMS), has reported an increase in hotel revenue tech investment in the first half of 2023, as hoteliers continue to look for ways to improve revenue and drive team efficiencies. The cloud-based software-as-a-service provider has enjoyed a 30% increase in business in the first half of 2023, compared to new hotel subscriptions in H1 2022.
www.duettocloud.com

- Demand Calendar Showcases Profit-Oriented Revenue Management at HITEC 2023 in Toronto
Demand Calendar, a comprehensive revenue and profit management system, exhibited for the first time at HITEC in Toronto. Demand Calendar, designed with a profit-oriented approach, aims to provide hotel businesses with tools for more accurate total revenue forecasting, effective management of customer acquisition cost, and profit optimization.
www.demandcalendar.com

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GUEST FACING TECHNOLOGY

- Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
- Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
- PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
- The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
- UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
- INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
- Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
- Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
- JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
- Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
- InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
- MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge

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Fantasyland Hotel Partners with INTELITY for Mobile Guest Experience
INTELITY®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced today a new partnership with Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. The fun-seeking hotel has deployed INTELITY’s mobile offerings providing guests with mobile check-in, mobile check-out, and mobile key, while streamlining the day-to-day operations for staff through GEMS® — INTELITY’s suite of staff-facing tools.
www.intelity.com

Luxury Skistar Lodge Hotel Brings Off-Piste Entertainment Experiences into Guest Rooms with 286x Chromecast Built-In Philips Mediasuite TVs from PPDS
PPDS, an exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays, is pleased to announce the installation of 286x Chromecast built-in, Netflix-ready, Philips MediaSuite TVs inside the new SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället – one of Sweden’s most popular and picturesque ski resort hotels – providing guests with complete and unrivalled control of their in-room digital entertainment experience.
www.ppds.com

PPDS wows HITEC crowds with world’s most energy efficient digital signage series for hospitality with the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range
Making its debut to the hospitality market at the show, the groundbreaking full size and full color ePaper digital signage display series delivers vivid, 24/7 content while running on zero power. Philips Tableaux is an ideal replacement for paper-based communications, bringing new digital display opportunities for hospitality environments.
www.ppds.com

The Hazelton Hotel Transforms the Guest Experience with INTELITY
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced a new partnership with The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. The luxury boutique hotel has implemented the INTELITY platform to offer its guests a digital and modern, smart-room experience, as well as leverage INTELITY’s GEMS ® staff-facing tools to streamline its back-of-house operations.
www.intelity.com

UrVenue Debuts Cutting-Edge PXMS Product Suite
Today at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), UrVenue revealed enhancements to UV Enterprise, the hospitality industry's pioneering Property Experience Management System (PXMS). These enhancements introduce a new capability known as Guest Experience, featuring Guest Portal and Guest Services, both of which leverage integrations into leading platforms OpenTable, Hapi and more.
www.urvenue.com

INTELITY Set to Launch Mobile App with The Leading Hotels of the World
INTELITY, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, announced today the completion of a brand-wide mobile app with The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), the largest collection of independent luxury hotels, that spans across 80 destinations. The app is specifically designed for both hotel guests, as well as Leaders Club members visiting properties in the organization’s 400-plus portfolio.
www.intelity.com

Hotel Internet Services Showcases the Future of Online Guest Connectivity and Guestroom Entertainment at HITEC Toronto
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions, announced its participation as an official exhibitor at HITEC Toronto, which took place June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
www.hotelwifi.com

Advanced Nonius Cast Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools at your Fingertips
We are excited to introduce our latest update for Nonius Cast: the most amazing logging tool for this type of system, designed to revolutionise your monitoring and troubleshooting experience while improving the guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

JW Marriott São Paulo Enhances the TV Experience with Nonius Solutions
JW Marriott São Paulo has implemented several Nonius solutions to improve the guest experience, including Interactive TV, IP Headend for TV Channels and Cast.
noniussolutions.com

Enseo's CORE Create Allows Hotels to Control In-Room TV
Enseo, hospitality’s essential technologies partner, will demo CORE Create, a property content management system, at HITEC Toronto and The Hospitality Show Las Vegas. Prioritizing user convenience along with an elevated guest experience, CORE Create’s easy-to-use web browser allows hotels to edit and publish TV user interface (UI) updates directly to guestroom TVs.
www.enseo.com

InnSpire Forms CNN International Commercial Partnership for IPTV Solution
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, today announced that it has inked a global channel distribution partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC).
www.innspire.com

MCOMS Celebrates 4 Years of Partnership with Allbridge
MCOMS, a leading guest-facing solutions provider for the Hospitality industry, is celebrating 4 years of partnership with Allbridge, a leader in property technology solutions for Hospitality, Multifamily, Senior Living and Student Housing in the United States.
mcoms.com

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MARKETING

- Sage Hospitality Group Leverages Hapi and Salesforce to Centralize Data and Accelerate Innovation
Hapi, a provider of integration solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that Sage Hospitality Group has experienced remarkable transformation in CRM capabilities with the help of Salesforce technology, powered by Hapi. By leveraging Hapi’s Salesforce expertise and Hapi Guest for Salesforce, Sage has seen accelerated results and maximized their utilization of the Salesforce platform.
www.hapicloud.io

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SALES & CATERING

- Amadeus and Knowland Unveil Comprehensive Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index
Group business is critical to hotel recovery and for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) looking to attract visitors. This is why Amadeus, a global leader in hospitality technology, and Knowland, a global provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, are expanding their partnership to deliver new data insights.
www.amadeus-hospitality.com

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BACK OFFICE

- PVNG Integrates with Plaid for Secure Financial Institution Connectivity for Hotels
Aptech is the first hospitality company to link its hotel-specific enterprise accounting solution to the popular data network to achieve seamless, secure access to bank reconciliation data; Visit Aptech in Booth 1301 at HITEC.
www.aptech-inc.com

- YOTEL Extends Its Relationship with PAS to 18 Properties in 10 Countries
Professional Accounting Solutions (PAS), a preferred provider of back office and accounting solutions for the global hospitality industry and the leading provider of Infor SunSystems  and Infor EPM services, announced YOTEL has expanded its relationship with PAS to include 18 properties in 10 countries under the YOTEL, YOTELAIR and YOTELPAD brands.
www.profact.com

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COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE

- Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
- Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
- Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
- Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
- InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
- Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
- Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
- Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto

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Hospitality Innovator BluIP® Receives the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the U.S. representing all segments of the industry nationwide, has announced BluIP as a recipient of the organization’s inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award. The annual AHLA Technology Acceleration Award recognizes companies that have taken specific steps to advance innovation in hospitality.
bluip.com

Cloud5 Unveils Multi-project Vendor Management Solution at HITEC Toronto
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, will highlight its latest offering, Vendor Management, at this year’s HITEC in Toronto, taking place June 26-29, 2023. Cloud5’s Vendor Management team will discuss various project types and how this solution can help hotels initiate and manage projects on their roadmap.
cloud5.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at The Hospitality Show
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it will have a multi-pronged presence at The Hospitality Show in Las Vegas on June 27-29, demonstrating several new solutions it has brought to market, including a Cloud Telephony offering, a firewall solution, additional offerings in its Nomadix Networks product line and more. Nomadix will also showcase its Passpoint solution as a semi-finalist in the HTNG TechOvation Award program.
nomadix.com

Introducing TraknProtect's Cutting-Edge LTE 2-Way Radio: Revolutionizing Communication and Safety in Hospitality Industry
TraknProtect, a leading provider of innovative safety solutions for the hospitality industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated LTE 2-Way Radio. This groundbreaking product represents a significant advancement in communication technology, offering enhanced safety, efficiency, and peace of mind for hotel staff.
www.traknprotect.com

Positron and Cloud5 Communications Announce Partnership
Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications and technology solutions for more than 5,000 hotels, MDUs, and commercial facilities across the Americas, and Positron Access Solutions, a specialist in carrier-grade telecommunications products, have partnered together to address the connectivity and cabling challenges experienced by many hospitality companies and MDUs.
cloud5.com

InnSpire Partners With Positron Access Solutions to Enable Robust Internet and Hotel IPTV System Connectivity
InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, announced a strategic partnership with Positron Access Solutions, a leading provider of carrier-grade telecommunications systems for the hospitality sector and other markets.
www.innspire.com

Percipia Launches New Hospitality Interface for Webex by Cisco
Percipia, a telephony and mobility solutions and services provider for the hospitality industry, announced it is expanding its partnership with Cisco by delivering Parallax, a hospitality interface gateway for unified communications, to the Webex platform. This integration for the hospitality market allows administrative call control where customers such as hotels can now deploy Webex extensions for calling in guest rooms with caller-ID upon check-in.
www.percipia.com

Sure Hotel by Best Western Centralhotellet improves guest experience using Ethernet over Coax Technology
By using Ethernet over Coax technology on the existing coax network to deliver high-speed internet access, interactive TV, OTT channels and CAST, Centralhotellet was able to optimise its investment and provide a better guest experience.
noniussolutions.com

Nomadix is Bringing Connected Experiences to Life at HITEC Toronto
Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced it is demonstrating its new technology solutions and feature enhancements in booth #231 at HITEC Toronto, June 26-29. Nomadix will showcase its “Better Together” strategy of delivering a portfolio of connectivity and engagement solutions for hospitality and adjacent markets of multi-tenant, retail and more.
nomadix.com

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OPERATIONS

- Verdant Doubles Down to Showcase Its Popular Energy Management Solutions at ‘HITEC’ and ‘The Hospitality Show’
This week hoteliers will have two opportunities to see the latest in energy-management solutions for hotels. Verdant will display its popular digital thermostats at HITEC® Toronto, June 27 to 30 in Booth 607 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, and at The Hospitality Show, June 28 to 29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. While there, the Montreal-based company will introduce a NEW mobile app and a NEW energy service-optimization program.
verdant.co

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HUMAN RESOURCES

- Beekeeper, PredictiveHR Form Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation and Market Growth
Today, Beekeeper, the leading frontline success system, and PredictiveHR, a renowned human resource consulting services provider, jointly announced that the two companies have formed a strategic partnership to foster innovation, expand market reach, and deliver enhanced value to customers. Together, the two companies will work to resolve frontline disconnect, improving communication and engagement for frontline teams.
www.beekeeper.io

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SECURITY

- Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
- SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
- CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
- VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
- Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
- Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?

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Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Deploys Latest in Hotel Security Technology by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, has been credited with enhancing the security capabilities of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo with the implementation of several of its advanced security access technologies.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality

SecValMSP Named to ChannelE2E List of Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs
Security Validation | SecValMSP ranks among the world’s Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs (http://www.channelE2E.com/top100) for 2023, according to ChannelE2E, a CyberRisk Alliance resource.
securityval.com

CyberTek Partners With Leading IT Companies; Brings Unique Expertise to Hospitality Industry
CyberTek MSSP today announced that it will be partnering at HITEC with leading companies in the information technology and cybersecurity space to bring unique, unparalleled expertise to its hospitality clients. Joining CyberTek’s booth at the 2023 show will be representatives from AppRiver, Fortinet, and Kaseya—three world-class providers of security tools and services.
www.VENZAgroup.com

VENZA Continues Innovation; Adds Pen Testing and Pathfinder Products
VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced the addition of two new products to its lineup: Pathfinder™ onsite training and VENZA Pen Testing.
www.VENZAgroup.com

Strawberry Leverages Seamless Mobile App Compatibility of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Zaplox to Deploy Room Keys in Apple Wallet
Strawberry hotels become one of the first outside North America to experience the ease and enhanced efficiency of adopting room keys in Apple Wallet through cooperation with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Mobile Access and Zaplox mobile key lifecycle management solutions.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

Trying to Find Out What’s Next in Hotel Security Technology but Unsure Whether to Attend HITEC or The Hospitality Show?
With exhibit booths and expert representatives attending both events, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has got you covered! Be sure to stop by either HITEC booth #1425 or Hospitality Show booth #1031 for up-to-date insight into the latest technologies leading to safer, more efficient hotel operations and ever more satisfied guests.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com

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ARCHITECTURE & INTEGRATION

- Next Generation of Hapi Solves for Hotel Data Integrations at Scale
Hapi, the hospitality industry’s leading platform for fast and cost-effective connectivity between technology systems, is excited to announce new infrastructure in partnership with AWS that is providing hotel companies access to critical guest and transactional data in revolutionary ways. Newly built in the Amazon AWS environment, the Hapi Data Platform can provide data from technology systems “at rest,” or in storage, that hotel companies can access quicker.
www.hapicloud.io

- HotelPORT Announces Custom Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services
HotelPORT, a trusted leader in the hospitality industry, announces the launch of their groundbreaking Hospitality Software Development and Platform Integration Services. This transformative suite of solutions is powered by the expertise of their joint-venture member, GP Solutions, a renowned software development firm.
www.hotelport.co

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HOSPITALITY EVENTS AND ASSOCIATION NEWS

- Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
- AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
- The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
- Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
- Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference

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Industry Professionals Celebrate 2023 HITEC Return to Toronto
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) celebrated its return to Toronto hosting over 4,500 attendees at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from June 26-29.
www.hftp.org

AHLA, Questex Host Successful New Event: The Hospitality Show
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex this week debuted The Hospitality Show (The Show) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas June 27-29, completing a highly successful inaugural year for the event, which drew more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors.
www.ahla.com

The Hospitality Show Welcomes Thousands of Attendees, Holds First Full Day of Programming
Today, Wednesday, June 28, The Hospitality Show (The Show), taking place at The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, held its first full day of programming, welcoming thousands of attendees and featuring and over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality operations and technology solutions.
www.ahla.com

Hospitality Technology Innovator Agilysys Demonstrates How Hotels and Resorts Are Using Technology to Elevate Return on Experience (ROE) across Six Key Hospitality Moments
In booth #1309 at the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA’s) The Hospitality ShowJune 27-29 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS),will demonstrate solutions that help hospitality organizations follow the EY advice to improve customer experience while also streamlining costs.
www.Agilysys.com

Future-Forward Hospitality Technology Software Leader Agilysys to Present Session on Maximizing Guest and Staff Experience at the HITEC Toronto Conference
Agilysys Senior Director of Sales Engineering Thor Hansen to lead the workshop, sharing insights on technology’s critical role in delivering high return hospitality.
www.Agilysys.com

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MARKET REPORTS

- Knowland Reports Meetings and Events Growth for June at 30.3 Percent

‍Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports June meeting and event volume is up 30.3 percent over June 2022.Austin, TX, and Nashville, TN, were the stars, with growth topping 74 percent and 42 percent, respectively.www.knowland.com

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CORE Create, Gives Hotels Control of Guestroom TV Content

CORE Create, Enseo’s property content management system, is an easy-to-use web browser allowing hotels to edit and publish user interface updates directly to guest TVs.

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How to Solve Labor Challenges & Improve Staff Retention in Hotels with Modern PMS Solutions

Hotel workers, like guests, want to feel engaged with the property. As labor constraints force more responsibility on fewer hotel team members, those on the front lines want to be sure their increased accountability is accompanied by more capabilities. The best way to address these concerns is through new technology, starting with the property management system.

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