Hospitality professionals traveled from all over the world to Charlotte, North Carolina, June 24-27 for the largest and longest-running show of its kind.
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) was created over 50 years ago to break barriers and celebrate innovation in the hospitality technology space, a purpose that has resonated with the industry, attracting industry professionals by the thousands annually and making it the largest event of its kind in the world. This year was no exception, with over 5,900 attendees convening for HITEC North America 2024, June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. USA.
Produced by the international nonprofit association, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), attendees experienced a world-class show exhibit hall showcasing the latest hospitality technology solutions from 325+ companies, a comprehensive education lineup centering on the impact of technology in the industry, and a wealth of networking opportunities with other industry professionals, executive decision-makers and investors from over 60 countries.
“As the producer of HITEC, HFTP strives to continuously build upon what brought the brand into existence more than 50 years ago,” says HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, “which is to break down the barriers to, and connect hospitality professionals with, the innovative ideas and technologies that are revolutionizing our industry, our lives, and the way we all do business – now and well into the future.”
HITEC’s core purpose was uniquely embodied by the education program this year, including the Opening Headliner presentation, sponsored by Hospitality Network and Blueprint RFv, by Dr. Bryan K. Williams, a former Global Corporate Director of Training and Organizational Effectiveness for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. In his session, Williams gave 10 proven tips to help attendees take control and transcend obstacles in their professional and personal lives.
The next morning’s fast-paced Headliner session by industry media personalities Anthony Melchiorri and Glenn Haussman explored how to break down technological silos between disparate groups of industry stakeholders and leverage technology-powered profitability. This session also welcomed two new inductees to the 2024 International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame: Floor Bleeker, CTO at Accor Group and Terence Ronson, founder of Pertlink Ltd.
The third day of HITEC celebrated the innovative business concepts of eight ambitious hospitality technology startups who competed in the ever-popular Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) pitch competition, exclusively sponsored by Hospitality Net. After delivering their pitches, the woman-founded H2O Connected ultimately won the People’s Choice Award by popular vote among attendees for its smart-device, water management solution, while Folio received the Judges’ Choice Award for its modern, effortless procurement software built for hotel operators.
With so many leading industry solution providers consolidated on one massive show floor, the HITEC Exhibit Hall has long been an attractive destination for hospitality professionals, executives and investors looking to underwrite innovation in the industry. Exhibiting companies have been enthusiastic about the connections they have made with interested attendees this year.
“The floor traffic was amazing this year,” said James Kaboth, Director of Service, North America for TigerTMS. “We have so many new leads that have come in, not only from hoteliers but vendors elsewhere on the floor.”
“This was Flock AI’s first HITEC and it was an absolutely great experience. We’re a very new company but got a lot of value out of our presence,” said Dean Ogle, Flock AI Solutions Founder and CEO. “Between learning more about the hospitality industry and networking at events like HFTP’s Young Professionals mixer, the sense of community at the show is something that’s really resonated with us.”
“HITEC 2024 was a fantastic show! We sold a lot of new business and connected with current clients. We always come to HITEC because it’s the one place we can connect with our industry partners as well as our peers,” said Rich Tuckwell-Skuda, CEO and Founder of The Anything Group.
Planning for HITEC Indianapolis 2025 is already well underway, which will take place June 16-19 in Indianapolis, Ind. USA. General booth sales are already now open. If your company is interested in exhibiting at HITEC next year, contact the HFTP Sales & Exhibits Team at sales@hftp.org or exhibit@hftp.org to learn more.
For more information about HFTP’s events, visit hwww.hftp.org or contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org.
View the HITEC Charlotte 2024 photo album.
