AUSTIN, TEXAS USA (May 21, 2015) – Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has elected to postpone the HITEC Hackathon, which was slated to be the first hospitality hackathon, due to a lack of available space. The hackathon gathers technology developers for a two-day straight competition which tasks participants to come up with solutions to specific hospitality technology problems. The event was originally scheduled to run in the 48 hours preceding HFTP’s Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (June 15–18 in Austin, Texas USA), which is expecting record attendance this year. The City of Austin is a popular event destination and additional groups are also expecting high attendance during the days the hackathon was scheduled, making amenities limited for the competition’s participants. HFTP is dedicated to the success of the first hospitality hackathon and has decided it was best to postpone the event to a future date when it could offer a full experience for all involved, most likely for later in summer or fall 2015.
“HFTP and its partners want to ensure that every event that has the HFTP stamp of approval on it is presented under the best circumstances possible,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “The City of Austin has such an appeal that the group booked over the weekend prior to our arrival is also experiencing record attendance and are occupying space that our early arriving attendees would have wanted to visit. Rather than compete, HFTP decided to postpone to a date when our hackathon would command premium space. We are disappointed that the hackathon had to be postponed, but having the event at a later date will provide a more enjoyable event.”
Once rescheduled, the hackathon will invite hackers, computer programmers and software/hardware developers to compete to develop a technology solution that is disruptive and innovative, while optimizing hospitality processes and improving guest experience. The participants will collaborate intensively for 48 hours on a project, interface problem or business solution specific to hospitality. The final determination of possible problems to solve will be made by an advisory council; however HFTP is soliciting suggestions for consideration from the industry at large. Volunteer mentors, speakers, judges and sponsors with hotels in the Austin area are also being solicited to participate. HITEC supporter and known hackathon organizer, hotelRSV, will continue to be actively involved in the organization of the event.
“It’s impressive how many issues can be tackled with technology in a disruptive way in just 48 hours. It’s all about innovation and HFTP is providing the best platform to make it happen,” said David Bertolini, COO of Novohit and co-founder of hotelRSV.
Suggestions for problems and inquiries to participate (speakers/judges/mentors) can be directed to hitechackathon@hftp.org.
