With only a handful of events remaining on our 2025 calendar, there's a sense of anticipation for the quieter months ahead—though we're certainly not slowing down.

Many of you will find us at the upcoming HFTP Annual Convention and The Hospitality Show where I encourage you to stop by and say hello—it's always a pleasure to connect face-to-face with our readers and discuss the evolving landscape of hospitality technology. This issue, along with our 4th Annual Gaming Technology Section, will reach an even broader audience through our partnership with Native Nations Events, with distribution planned across five NNE events through February. Combined with our robust digital presence, we're ensuring these insights reach industry professionals wherever they are.

I'm thrilled to be back from Vancouver, where we hosted our 23rd CIO Summit—what an extraordinary week it was! The energy, the discussions and the connections made were truly exceptional. For those who couldn't join us, Jeff Parker has crafted an excellent summary on pages 42-52 that captures the essence of our time together. Don't miss the account of our whale watching adventure on pages 54-55, which offers a glimpse into the memorable experiences we shared beyond the conference rooms. If you're a CIO who missed this year's gathering, it's never too early to save the date: September9-11, 2026. Trust me, you won't want to miss what we have in store.

This issue's cornerstone feature delivers critical intelligence about the seismic shifts transforming the hotel booking landscape. Michael Goldrich provides a masterclass in understanding these changes and, more importantly, outlines the essential steps hotels must take today to remain visible in tomorrow's booking ecosystem. This isn't just recommended reading—it's required reading for anyone serious about their property's future success. Be sure to read through to the end for Michael's invaluable pro-tips that could make all the difference in your strategy.

My gratitude extends to Michael and all our exceptional contributors who make each issue a valuable resource for our industry. Their expertise and insights continue to elevate our content and provide the actionable intelligence you need to navigate an ever-changing technological landscape.

I must also acknowledge our solution provider partners, whose unwavering support makes everything we do possible. From this publication to our annual Summits and educational initiatives, their investment and trust enable us to continue uncovering the stories and trends that matter most to you. When you encounter these partners in our pages or at industry events, I encourage you to engage with them, connect on LinkedIn and show appreciation for their commitment to advancing our industry's knowledge base.

Looking ahead, we're already deep in preparation for the Executive Vendor Summit and CIO Summit EMEA this spring. I'm particularly excited about some surprises we have in development—innovations we hope to unveil for these gatherings that will further enhance the value we bring to our community.

Finally, we've begun work on our Winter issue, scheduled for release around the first of the year It will serve as a fitting capstone to what has been a remarkably busy yet productive year. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for the trust you place in us to deliver the insights that drive future success.

Here's to a successful remainder of 2025 and the exciting possibilities that await in 2026.