by
Rich Siegel
Jun 1, 2024

Summer 2024 Publisher’s Letter

As I write this Publisher’s Letter, we are getting ready for HITEC Charlotte, which looks like it may be the biggest ever, and I can’t help but reflect a bit.

Summer 2024 Publisher’s Letter

by
Rich Siegel
Jun 1, 2024
Publisher's Letter
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As I write this Publisher’s Letter, we are getting ready for HITEC Charlotte, which looks like it may be the biggest ever, and I can’t help but reflect a bit.

It was 32 years ago when I started a 24-page newsletter on yellow paper. Today I own two small businesses – actually, I own three but the third will never make money, unless the 2-year-old guy in the picture to the left decides running fast is a good thing. Hey, the Kentucky Derby is only 10 months away!

Yes, it’s been 32 years in business. For 25 years we have been the official magazine of HITEC. Coming this September in Nashville will be our 22nd CIO Summit, an event that has grown dramatically in the last few years, with attendees coming from Australia, South America and quite a few from Europe joining our North American attendees.

Of all the things we have done at Hospitality Upgrade and Hotel Online over the years, the thing I am most proud of is on the cover of this issue. It was 19 years ago when we thought that for the good of the industry we should bring the leaders of the vendor community together. So many attendees shared with me that this was one of the most valuable events they have ever attended, and it really means a great deal when coming from a first-time attendee. It really was an amazing feeling for all of us.

A big thank you to Gregg Hopkins who did a nice job sharing the EVS experience with you (see page 61). A big thank you to Sage Hospitality Group for their part making EVS a big success, from having their president and CEO welcome everyone to the event, to all the Sage staff and personnel who made the experience unforgettable for all of us. If you ever are in Denver, you must try The Curtis Hotel. My best description of the hotel is quirky - and I like quirky!

Yes, it’s been 32 years and I have been doing a lot of reflecting. The magazine continues to flourish, with the readership worldwide expanding year after year. We thank HFTP for having their HITEC Dubai attendees register to receive the digital copies of Hospitality Upgrade Magazine along with our news updates we send throughout the year. So many years working with the hotel, travel and food and beverage industries, and the technology solutions providers that make hospitality operations easier and more profitable. But what makes this industry special isn’t the hotels or the technology, it’s the people that we interact with throughout the year. It’s easy to stay connected via social media, but nothing beats the face-to-face experiences and events, which is why I am so excited about the upcoming HITEC in Charlotte. Business is business, but nothing beats the people behind the business.

For those who will be in Charlotte and have heard about the ongoing drama with my right leg, no jokes or I will kick you with my left leg. I'm getting pretty good at that! I encourage you to take a look at the Table of Contents (page 8), Geneva’s letter (page 10) and the Contributors’ pages (page 12) to see the amazing content in this issue. Geneva does a great job with the magazine, but her greatest claim to fame should be putting up with me for 29 years. There should be some sort of award for that! A big thank you to Kim and Liz for working tirelessly to make sure the magazine comes out great and on time. We are only as good as the people around us, and I am surrounded by great people. Sometimes I have a difficult time thinking about how long I have been doing this and how many great friends I have made over the years that I know will be friends forever. What a great ride it has been!

President & Publisher
RICHARD SIEGEL
Rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

Senior Vice President, Managing Editor
GENEVA RINEHART
Geneva@hospitalityupgrade.com
Twitter:@genevarinehart

Associate Publisher
KIM DELANEY
Kim@hospitalityupgrade.com

Design & Editorial
ELIZABETH VOGAN
Elizabeth@hospitalityupgrade.com

Features Editor
FRAN WORRALL
Fran@hospitalityupgrade.com

Special Thanks:
Fran Worrall, Megan Pomerich,
Melissa McCawley and Shannon Wilder

Contributors:
Fran Worrall, Michael Schubach, Lynn Goodendorf, Jeremy Rock, Erin Snodgrass, Larry and Adam Mogelonsky, Mark Haley, Mark Hoare, John Burns, Gregg Hopkins, Bob Gilbert, Kelly McGuire, David Chestler, Sally Kelly, Jennifer Hill, Michael Goldrich, Caryl Helsel Stock photo credit: ©iStock, Shutterstock

Cover Design:

Melissa McCawley EVS photos by Autumn Parry Photography

HOSPITALITY UPGRADE is printed three times a year for and about the hospitality and foodservice industries. There is no charge for qualified subscribers within the United States and Canada. All international subscribers will be billed $30/year for postage and handling. Postage paid in Virginia. All contents submitted to this publication are believed to be accurate. SCI or its agents assume no liability for any said information that is misrepresented. Product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarked and/or service marked of their respective owners. Reproduction and/or distribution of any part of this publication without the written consent of SCI is strictly forbidden.


© 2024 Siegel Communications, Inc. Send Subscription inquires or changes to: Circulation Department 12460 Crabapple Road, STE 202-372
Alpharetta, GA 30004 subscriptions@hospitalityupgrade.com

Canada Subscriptions: Canada Post Agreement Number: 1951297 Send change of address information and blocks of undeliverable copies to POB 1051, Fort Erie, ON L2A 6C7 Canada

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