Digital leadership speaker and author, Erik Qualman will initiate a technology-focused week as the Opening Keynote speaker for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) in San Antonio, Texas.
Qualman has performed in over 50 countries and reached 25 million people this decade. He will present his observations on digital trends and transformation to the 6,000 plus attendees expected at the 2020 event, which offers a high-quality education program and exhibition focusing on the latest in hospitality technology.
Qualman’s Socialnomics work has been featured on well-known media channels such as 60 Minutes and the Wall Street Journal and used by large organizations such as the National Guard and NASA. His book What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube helped Qualman be listed by Forbes and Fortune as a Top 100 Digital Influencer. His business books are used in over 200 universities. Qualman’s HITEC presentation will be in the afternoon on Monday, June 15. Watch Qualman preview his HITEC San Antonio speech.
“HITEC attendees come to the event focused on their particular list of issues and services they need to resolve and investigate, often not taking the opportunity to step back and look at the broad impacts of our digital world and how to navigate through it,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. “This is where I think Erik will have a positive influence on our attendees. He will narrate ways to harness digital tools to transform our businesses as leaders in the digital landscape.”
HITEC San Antonio, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) will be the second, and largest, HITEC event of 2020. The four-day education program is planned by the HITEC San Antonio Advisory Council, a group of industry practitioners and experts. The council is chaired by Justin Taillon, Ph.D., professor and department head at Highline College. And, the council’s vice chair is Barry Thomas, CHTP, senior corporate director — property technology for Rosewood Hotel Group.
In addition to the education program, HITEC San Antonio will feature an exhibit hall hosting over 350 companies. The companies display a range of products and services to support the hospitality technology industry.
Also in 2020, HFTP in cooperation with HTNG, will produce HITEC Europe taking place from April 21-23 at the Palau de Congressos Centre in Palma, Mallorca, Spain.
HFTP has already scheduled the future dates and locations for HITEC North America. In 2021, it will be held in Dallas Texas, USA on June 21-24. In 2022, it will be held in Orlando, Florida USA on June 27-30.
For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other international activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at
education@hftp.org.