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Archive Photos Rumors

January 25, 2019

Siegel Sez

by: Rich Siegel

I never have a problem embarrassing myself, but it is nice to be able to share that embarrassment with people like Bob Gilbert from HSMAI and a few execs from Marriott, IHG, Hilton and others. There are many thousands of you reading this, but how many have ever attended the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas? How about we give you a true feeling of the magnitude and varied nature when it comes to the technology that will impact us as hoteliers and everyday consumers? Do you realize that 5G is a great deal more than faster phones? Facial recognition is not just about recognizing who you are but how old you are and how happy, sad or stressed you are? Thankfully they turned off how much you weigh. Have you ever played ping pong against a robot who will tell you what you are doing right and wrong? I think our wonderful videographer Liz Vogan did an amazing job sharing what the CES experience is all about and in under six minutes. Take a moment and click here to experience CES with a bit of an attitude. If you like it or hate it, feel free to share your comments. Who knows, maybe you will want to join the HSMAI crew next year on its VIP tour of CES.

I am thankful I am connected to so many hoteliers from big and small companies and also the vendors who supply technology to these companies. It is amazing how many times hoteliers share their frustration in the inability of their vendors to “connect” with each other. More than 14 years ago we created an Executive Vendor Summit to address these disconnects that plague our industry and the event continues to grow. This year it is nice that we will also have a couple of CEOs from the hotel industry join us and they will share their thoughts on where technology should be going. If you are a vendor of technology and have never been, please contact Anne Boon right away at anne@hospitalityupgrade.com or (678) 802-5304 (yes, some of us actually make phone calls) about how to get an invitation. Who would think that getting large, small and even those barely past the startup phase technology vendors together would have such value? Yes, many compete for business but many also partner with other attendees or end up with new partners after attending EVS. Yes, a very unique event without potential customers there but those that have come one time always come back. Check out the bobbleheads!

Here now is the real reason we are here, the latest technology happenings in the industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Remember, let me know your thoughts on our short CES video. Thanks.

Rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

Introduction

CES 2019

TOP O' THE NEWS

Hyatt Launches Public Bug Bounty Program with Hackerone
Choice Hotels Goes All-In on AWS
Marriott International Announces Marriott Bonvoy – The New Brand Name Of Its Loyalty Program

For More Information on Top O’ the News for 1/25

GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Infor Announces $1.5 Billion Investment Ahead of Potential IPO
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen and Riverboat Louis Armstrong to Boost Guest Experience with Agilysys InfoGenesis® POS
Maestro PMS 2019 Development Roadmap Focused on Full-Tablet PMS, Guest Relationship Innovation

For More Information on Guest Management Systems for 1/25

REVENUE MANAGEMENT

Rainmaker Selects OTA Insight as Strategic Partner for Rate Intelligence
Rainmaker Closes a Record Year with An Increased Global Footprint, New Customer Growth and Innovation in New Segments

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Rainmaker Selects OTA Insight as Strategic Partner for Rate Intelligence
OTA Insight, the cloud-based data intelligence platform for the hospitality industry, and The Rainmaker Group, a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, announced a new strategic partnership.
www.letitrain.com

Rainmaker Closes a Record Year with An Increased Global Footprint, New Customer Growth and Innovation in New Segments
The Rainmaker Group, a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, announced that the company is starting 2019 with strong-than-ever numbers, a full implementation pipeline and continued growth in new regions.
www.letitrain.com

GUEST SERVICES

Black Oak Casino Resort to Implement INTELITY’s Guest Experience and Staff Management Platform
INTELITY Looks to Win “Hospitality’s Hottest Technology” Designation at ALIS 2019
Synergy Global Housing Brings Volara-Powered Voice Assistants to New York Residences

For More Information on Guest Services for 1/25

BACK OFFICE

Chesapeake Hospitality Maximizes Data Management and Forecasting Efficiency with ProfitSword

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Chesapeake Hospitality Maximizes Data Management and Forecasting Efficiency with ProfitSword
ProfitSword, hospitality's premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the implementation of its ProfitSage operational and financial reporting solution by Chesapeake Hospitality, one of the largest independent operators in the hospitality industry, specializing in full-service and upscale properties.
http://www.profitsword.com/

COMMUNICATIONS/INFRASTRUCTURE

Beekeeper, the #1 Operational Communication Platform, is now available in Australia
SHR Announces Powerful Megasys and SmartHOTEL Integrations

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Beekeeper, the #1 Operational Communication Platform, is now available in Australia
Technology 4 Hotels, a leading technology provider to the hospitality industry, announced that it has been appointed as the Australian hospitality channel partner for Beekeeper.
http://www.beekeeper.io/

SHR Announces Powerful Megasys and SmartHOTEL Integrations
SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies and developer of Windsurfer® CRS, has unveiled two new best-in-class integrations; the Portfolio HMS by Megasys Hospitality Solutions, and SmartHOTEL’s PMS connectivity hub.
www.shr.global.

F&B/POINT OF SALE

Epson Adds Three New MAXStick Media Solutions to its List of Tested Media for TM-L90 PLUS LFC Thermal Label Printers
Aila Technologies Adopts Epson POS Receipt Printer for its Interactive Kiosk
Epson Adds Three New StickyPOS Media Solutions to its List of Tested Media for TM-L90 Plus LFC Thermal Label Printers

For More Information on F&B/ Point Of Sale for 1/25

SECURITY

dormakaba USA Inc Launches an Online Keyless Access Control ROI Calculator for Vacation Rental Managers and Owners
New dormakaba USA Inc Vacation Rental White Paper Details Advantages of Online Access Control
VENZA® signs 80 more properties with Schulte Hospitality Group

For More Information on Security for 1/25

HOSPITALITY EVENTS

Applications Now Open for Positions on HFTP Global Board and Executive Committee
Hospitality’s Marketing Gurus Honored at HSMAI Adrian Awards
HSMAI Announces 2019 Americas Board and Executive Committee

For More Information on Hospitality Events for 1/25

PIQUED OUR INTEREST

Hotel fires robot staff after guest complaints

Innovation key for hospitality businesses to remain relevant

2019 Top 10 Hospitality Trends

At Hotels, Space That’s Like the Office, ‘but Cooler’

For More Information on Piqued Our Interest for 1/25

You-Know-What

And now for you-know-what … A few points to ponder ...

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. My blood
pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I'd gained some weight,
and I didn't feel so hot.

My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated and it would
solve my physical problems. He said just think in colors; Fill your plate
with bright colors; greens, yellows, reds, etc.

I went right home and ate an entire bowl of M&M's and sure enough, I
felt better immediately. I never knew eating right could be so easy.