June 24, 2022
Siegel Sez
Well, here we go! The wacky HITEC week starts on Monday. I love Doug Rice’s column this week and how he focuses on those exhibiting businesses that are younger companies, and believe things need to change.
If you are at HITEC take some time and follow Doug’s advice. I promise that you will make their day just by asking them what they do. Then there is the PROVision Partners sponsored E20X which is a great startup competition. It is impressive how many companies who have gone through E20X have become serious players in the industry. Geneva, who is responsible for all the editorial in Hospitality Upgrade, is one of the E20X mentors this year. From my past experiences, this is eye-opening and a great deal of fun. Of course, what makes HITEC special is it seems that every technology company is exhibiting and so many wait until HITEC to unveil what they have or what will be coming soon. It’s great to watch customers spending time with their vendors and each sharing how they see the future. Then from the vendor side in the exhibit hall, there are always surprises when you see someone in a booth that they don’t belong in. Then you realize they do belong in that booth. There is always a fair amount of changes announced at HITEC. The biggest changes expected are which companies have been bought or merged. There will be some announcements coming next week which are shocking. Yes, there is one time a year when those who buy, sell or simply create a better understanding of technology come together. The rumors are real about this HITEC having a very large attendance that hasn’t been seen in years. Hopefully, we will all survive June in Orlando. Next year in Toronto can’t get here soon enough.
Let’s not forget that along with HITEC there is also HSMAI’s ROC (Revenue Optimization Conference). The growth of ROC never ceases to amaze me. Hospitality Upgrade will also be at ROC, and we are proud to be a media partner for both events. Between the two conferences, great education sessions and the need to be at nonstop parties, and I have a knee that needs to be replaced, if you see me sitting down somewhere you aren’t allowed to give me grief. It is a crazy week but for those in the tech world, there is simply nothing else like it. This year the big influx of international attendees returning, also will be very welcome.
Hospitality Upgrade and Hotel Online will be in booth 2111. Please come by and say hello. For many of us, it has been way too long since we were last together face to face.
Here now is the aforementioned Doug Rice with his HITEC version of Definitely Doug. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Orlando, like it or not, here we come!
Rich
rich@hospitalityupgrade.com
Definitely Doug
What’s New at HITEC?
What a difference nine months makes. Last September, we gathered in Dallas for the first post-COVID HITEC. Or more accurately, some of us did, but many of the usual exhibitors and attendees sat on the sidelines, hamstrung by the uncertain pace of the recovery, budgets, pandemic travel policies, and personal health concerns. The exhibit floor last fall was significantly smaller than in recent years, and attendance was down, even if most of the vendors felt that the quality of attendees was higher. Those who attended were seriously looking to buy, and the vendors I spoke with were mostly very happy with the event despite the downsizing.
Fast forward to next week. I have been closely following the exhibitor list over the past two and a half months. When I first checked on April 5, there were 257 confirmed exhibitors, plus seven tentatives and 12 empty booths. By last week, there were 325 confirmed booths (including eight E20X contestants that hadn’t been selected before). HFTP added more booths at least twice after April 5 to meet demand, and space is now sold out. While the exhibitor count is still below the pre-COVID peak (which I believe was around 390 booths), the acceleration in participation over the past two months is both unprecedented and really encouraging. Attendance by buyers is much harder to gauge in advance, but there does seem to be a lot more buzz this year.
As always, I like to focus my HITEC time on meeting first-time exhibitors. Most of us know what the regular exhibitors do and how to reach them; we don’t need a trade show to keep up with them. But we do need events like this to discover the emerging ones, which are often the most interesting and innovative.
Unlike prior years, I will not be able to visit all the first-time exhibitors – there are simply too many! Normally there are around 50 or 60 newbies each year, but this year’s total is 89. There just are not enough floor hours to see that many, so I’ll have to focus on the ones that sound most interesting or different, or that catch my eye as I walk the floor.
This week’s column will focus on what I found in advance research on those 89 first-timers. I have highlighted a few that are on my “must see” list at the end of the article, but have included all of them in the categories in the body of the text.
Click here to read more of Doug’s column What’s New at HITEC?
CORPORATE NEWS
- Infor Continues to Experience Significant Growth in Hospitality
Infor, an industry cloud company, announced its continued innovation and momentum over the past 12 months in its hospitality business unit at HITEC 2022.
www.infor.com
- M3 Wins Globee® in the 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards
M3 announced that The Globee Awards, organizers of the world’s premier business awards programs and business ranking lists, has named M3 Labor a winner in the 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards.
www.m3as.com
- Innovative Guest-Centric Software Provider Otrum Joins Uniguest Family
Uniguest, a global leader in digital engagement technology to multiple end markets, announced the acquisition of Otrum AS, a digital engagement provider to the hospitality industry.
www.uniguest.com
GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Esmé Miami Beach Leverages Stayntouch PMS to Deliver High-Touch Service With Mediterranean Flair
- SHR, Stayntouch Launch Timely Resource to Help Hoteliers Improve Guest Experience While Automating Operations
- Jonas Club Software & Jonas Chorum Announce the Integration Of Industry-Leading Club And Hotel Management Systems On Display At HITEC 2022
- 3one3 Boutique Hotel Streamlines Operations and Delivers Contactless Guest Experience with Stayntouch PMS
- APS Exhibits Next-Generation Microservices Hotel and Travel Platform at HITEC Orlando 2022
- Stayntouch PMS Integrates with GoTab POS, Delivering Enhanced Dining Experience for Guests and Increased Revenue for Hotels
- Maestro PMS and Hapi Streamline Salesforce Connectivity for Margaritaville Hotel
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For more information on Guest Management Systems for 6/24/2022
RESERVATIONS & DISTRIBUTION
- RezRecover by CartStack Solves $10B Problem for Hotels, Resorts: Booking Abandonment
- SHR and Shiji Integrate to Give Hoteliers More OTA Access in APAC Region
- UpStay Selected by HFTP to Present Advanced Hotel Upselling Solution in 2022 HITEC E20X Competition
- P3 Hotel Software’s Interactive Booking Experience Provides HITEC 2022 Delegates with Opportunity to Walk a Mile in Guests’ Shoes
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For more information on Reservations & Distribution for 6/24/2022
REVENUE MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS
- Starboard Hotels Shines Bright with Infor
- IDeaS Introduces Channel Forecasting for G3 RMS, Delivering Pivotal Insights into Channel Demand and Costs
- Amadeus Expands Partnership with Aimbridge Hospitality with Exclusive Business Intelligence Endorsement
- Swire Hotels Turns to IDeaS for a Unified Revenue Management Solution Across Properties
- The Dewberry Charleston Sees Monumental ADR Growth & Time-Savings with IDeaS: A Case Study
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For more information on Revenue Management & Analytics for 6/24/2022
GUEST FACING TECHNOLOGY
- Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Partners with InnSpire to Offer Cutting-Edge Guest Experience, Casting and Contactless Service Capabilities
- RCD Hotels Orders 3,450 In-Room Tablets from Crave Interactive for Four of Its Prestigious Resort Hotels in Latin America
- Crave Interactive Provide a Single Guest Portal for All Hotel QR Codes
- Clairvoyix and Fetch Partner to Bring On-Property Guest Communication and Incident Reporting to The Wallace
- World Cinema Introduces Upgraded Technology Experiences at HITEC 2022
- Enseo Delivers Casting with Nevaya Partnership, a Google Approved Solution
- youtip presenting on "The Power of Tipping: Going Beyond the Money” at HITEC Orlando
- Virdee Connects to Onity, Enables Straight-to-Room Access
- Nomadix and Telkonet Create Smart Room Experiences for Hotel Guests
- PPDS to Showcase a Full Suite of Hospitality Displays and Solutions at HITEC - With a Brand-New Line of Philips MediaSuite TVs to Be Unveiled
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For more information on Guest Facing Technology for 6/24/2022
SALES & CATERING, GROUPS & MEETINGS
- Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten Select STS Cloud, ProposalPath and e-Signature to Enhance Group Business Across Oceanfront Properties
Sonesta Resorts in Sint Maarten has partnered with SalesAndCatering.com to equip their luxury properties with best-in-class sales and catering technology. When considering ways to scale and enhance their industry-leading brand and support growth across both oceanfront properties, Sonesta Resorts selected STS Cloud, ProposalPath, and e-Signature as their platforms of choice.
salesandcatering.com
- Knowland and Uniguest Partner to Provide Hotels with Seamless Data Integration Across Disparate Sources
Knowland, a world leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, and Uniguest, a global leader in digital engagement technology, announced today a technology partnership resulting in the Knowland Connector, an innovative interface making data integration with the Knowland Platform seamless across property-level systems.
www.knowland.com
BACK OFFICE
- PAS Launches New Version of pasCLOUD with Expanded Functionality in dEPM at HITEC Orlando 2022
- M3 Adds 7,000th Hotel as Record Growth Continues
- Newport Hospitality Group Centralizing Accounting Across 50 Hotels and Taking Financials to the Cloud
- ProfitSword to Release Major Enhancements to Award-Winning Business Intelligence Technology Platform at HITEC Orlando 2022
- Remote Accounting is a Breeze for Treasure Island’s Fusion Resort and First Choice Hotel Management
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For more information on Back Office for 6/24/2022
COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE
- Cloud5 Communications Launches New AI-Driven Virtual Guest Services Solution
- Hotel Internet Services Unveils Latest Trends in Guest Wi-Fi Expectations with Release of New White Paper Ahead of HITEC Orlando
- Nomadix Launches Staff Panic Button and Wi-Fi Quality Analysis Solution
- Zoox Smart Data Launches Wi-Fi Analytics at HITEC Orlando 2022 to Help Hotels Monitor Guest Room Wi-Fi Quality in Real Time
- Nomadix Networks Stock Available Now
- Cloud5 Communications Named Top Hospitality Expert by Mitel Global Partner Program
- Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa Partners with Hotel Internet Services for High-Performance Guest Wi-Fi
- Nevotek “Hospitality Softphone” Opens A New Era in Hotel Communications
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For more information on Communications and Infrastructure for 6/24/2022
FOOD & BEVERAGE
- Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Improves Speed of Service and Increases Revenue with Beachy's 5G Mobile POS Solution
Beachy, a leading provider of next-generation solutions and services for the country’s leading resorts, today announced that Carillon Miami Wellness Resort has successfully deployed its innovative mobile point-of-sale (POS) solution in the property’s expansive pool and beach areas. Beachy’s unique solution supported by 5G cellular networks allows the Carillon team to provide seamless food and beverage (F&B) service at the farthest reaches of the resort.
www.beachyapp.com
- Shiji Launches Simplify by Infrasys, A New Point-of-Sale Solution for Hospitality F&B Businesses in the Americas
Shiji, the hotel technology innovator, is launching Simplify by Infrasys at HITEC Orlando. A new and innovative point of sale solution created for Hospitality F&B businesses in the Americas needing a simple-to-learn and easy-to-manage POS solution.
www.shijigroup.com
- Distillery District Restaurants in Toronto Successfully Running on Silverware POS
Silverware has been selected by Distillery Restaurant Corp. to provide point-of-sale solutions to El Catrin Destileria, Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, Pure Spirits, Madrina Bar y Tapas, District Pizza, and Distillery Events. Each restaurant is located in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, regarded as Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destination.
www.silverwarepos.com
PAYMENT PROCESSING
- Agilysys Becomes Visa Ready Certified to Provide Hospitality Organizations and Guests with an Optimal Tap to Pay Experience
Agilysys, Inc., a leading global provider of next-generation SaaS and on-premise hospitality software solutions and services, today announced it is now a Visa Ready certified partner, giving Agilysys hospitality clients – and their guests – peace of mind that the Agilysys technology solution they choose meets Visa’s high standards for security.
agilysys.com
OPERATIONS
- Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Selects Shiji Group’s Concept Golf Management Solution for Its Golf Operations
With more than 20 years in the industry, Concept, a Shiji Group brand, has recently announced that Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort has selected Concept Cloud to manage its golf operations.
shijigroup.com
- Transcendent to Unveil Latest Platform Enhancements at HITEC Orlando, Including Unified Housekeeping, Maintenance and Engineering Operational Management Solution
Transcendent, an industry leading enterprise asset, maintenance, and capital planning management software, announced that a new set of feature enhancements will make their debut at HITEC Orlando.
transcendent.ai
- ALICE to Showcase Latest Advances in Hotel Staff Productivity and Guest Service with Unveiling of New Housekeeping Solution Features at HITEC Orlando
Award-winning hotel operations management platform adds new functionality to enable more efficient tracking of extra room items, connected guestroom management, turndown service and the ability to reprioritize assignments in real-time.
aliceplatform.com
HUMAN RESOURCES
- Concord Hospitality Abuzz with Beekeeper Communication & Collaboration Platform
- Beekeeper Named ‘Best Employee App’ for Resorts World Las Vegas Deployment
- M3 Releases New Features Within Labor Management Mobile App
- UniFocus Earns Approved Vendor Status with IHG Hotels & Resorts Global Franchise Estate for Advanced Workforce Management Technology
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For more information on Human Resources for 6/24/2022
SECURITY
- Taking SALTO Hospitality Solutions to New Virtual Heights at HITEC 2022 in Orlando
SALTO has been at the forefront of upgrading the hospitality industry ecosystem by developing integrations that deliver a smarter guest experience. SALTO has partnered with CommScope, another hospitality technology leader, to deliver the first BLE integrated IoT-enabled online door lock solution. The integration, to be launched at HITEC, is designed to provide a cost-effective, simple, and easy-to-deploy property infrastructure.
www.saltosystems.com
- Zoox Smart Data Reveals How Investing in Data Protection and Privacy Initiatives Encourages Technological Innovation
Zoox Smart Data (“Zoox”), a global provider of technological solutions that harness big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, today announced it has released a review entitled, “The Value (Not the Price) of Investments in Privacy and Information Security.” The company is educating clients on the importance of investing in privacy practices to protect customer data and promote business growth.
www.zooxsmart.com
HOSPITALITY EDUCATION
- SHR, Stayntouch Launch Timely Resource to Help Hoteliers Improve Guest Experience While Automating Operations
Sceptre Hospitality Resources, which offers a suite of solutions to help hoteliers improve the guest experience and drive revenue at each touchpoint along the guest journey, in collaboration with Stayntouch, a global leader in cloud hotel property management systems and guest-centric technology, has published a whitepaper that gives hoteliers the tools they need to improve the guest experience and maximize revenue at every stage of the guest journey, from booking to on-property to post-stay follow-up.
www.stayntouch.com
- UniFocus Helps Prepare Future Hospitality Leaders with Donation of Labor-Management Technology to The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection
UniFocus, the leading provider of Workforce Management Systems, is pleased to announce that it is donating its advanced labor management platform to The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection. The historic boutique property on Purdue University’s campus is managed by White Lodging and offers Purdue University students real-word hotel management experience.
www.unifocus.com
HOSPITALITY EVENTS AND ASSOCIATION NEWS
- HFTP’s Highly-Anticipated HITEC Orlando Is Taking Measures to Prevent Pirate Exhibitors
- youtip to Host ‘Catch Cash for a Cause’ to Support HFTP Foundation at HITEC Orlando
- HFTP and AAHOA Partner to Support Each Association’s Initiatives
- youtip and Hospitality.FM Podcasters Partner to Broadcast LIVE at HITEC Orlando
- HFTP Announces Spectrum Enterprise as Exclusive Sponsor of HITEC 50th Anniversary Celebration
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For more information on Hospitality Events and Association News for 6/24/2022
MARKET REPORTS
- Global Hotel Occupancy Surpasses 2019 Levels for the First Time Since the Pandemic Started
Global hotel occupancy levels for April and May 2022 have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Amadeus' unique forward-looking data shows global hotel bookings in June, July, and August 2022 are on par with 2019 with the potential to grow significantly. ata reveals transient average daily rate achieved on room bookings globally has increased by 11% over 2019 with the majority of hotel bookings still being made within a week of travel.
www.amadeus-hospitality.com
- Knowland Monthly Meetings and Events Report Marks Significant Growth of 276 Percent Over May 2021
Knowland, a world leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, today released its monthly meetings and events data for May with a significant increase of 276 percent over May 2021. May 2022 rebounded from April 2022 with a 12.5 percent increase month over month.
www.knowland.com
PIQUED OUR INTEREST
- Hotel Guests Getting Used to Changes in Service, Technology
- Hotel Execs Make Large Bets - and Big Spend - on Technology
- Hotels Have Gone to the Robots
- In a Fascinating Turn, Who Travels for Business Has Changed Post Pandemic
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For more information on Piqued Our Interest for 6/24/2022
And now for the You-Know-What...