Since my appointment was announced in March, I've been humbled by the overwhelming support, encouragement and thoughtful advice. To everyone who reached out with well wishes, ideas and insights—thank you. Your confidence means a great deal, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation that makes this community so special.

As we look ahead, there is much to be excited about. Hospitality Upgrade will continue to serve as a trusted, credible source for timely technology insights and in-depth industry intelligence. At a moment when innovation is accelerating and complexity is increasing, access to reliable information and meaningful perspectives has never been more important. We're particularly proud to play a role as one of the premier outlets supporting the newly formed HFTP AI Council—an initiative focused on advancing understanding and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across the hospitality industry.

In this issue, we're also pleased to continue our valued partnerships with the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) and HSMAI. These collaborations allow us to extend our reach into highly engaged communities and tap into a deep well of expertise and thought leadership that strengthens the content we deliver to you.

This issue is packed with compelling features and industry insights. Our cover story, “The George Jetson Moment Is Here” by Michael Goldrich, explores technologies that once felt futuristic but are now rapidly becoming part of everyday hotel operations and guest experiences. We’re also excited to highlight new collaborative industry initiatives, including the launch of the Professional Certification in Hotel Profit Analysis (CHPA). Developed with launch partners AAHOA and HFTP and powered by Kalibri, this program underscores the growing importance of a profit-first mindset across operations, commercial strategy and guest service. As the industry evolves, equipping leaders with a foundational understanding of profit optimization will be essential to long-term success.

This issue also features our second annual Boutique Lodging Technology special section. Within it, you’ll find an exclusive interview with Kareem Taha, CIO of White Elephant Resorts, along with valuable insights from our partner Frances Kiradjian, Founder and CEO of BLLA, who shares findings from recent research and emerging trends shaping the boutique and luxury segment. In addition, we’ve recently returned from an unforgettable CIO Summit EMEA in Amsterdam. Be sure to check out the
event highlights on page 62, along with coverage from our pre-summit experience at Circuit Zandvoort on page 66—a memorable way to connect, collaborate and celebrate with industry peers.

Thank you to our advertising partners for your continued support and for choosing Hospitality Upgrade. We’re deeply grateful for the relationships we’ve built within the industry. To honor our supporters for their contributions to innovation this year, we're providing a special recognition at HITEC. A member of our team will visit your booth to distribute these.

Your trust and collaboration truly make this publication possible and keep our industry moving forward.