Co-produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Naseba, more than 600 hospitality technology professionals came together for the inaugural HITEC Dubai. The event served as a regional, Middle Eastern counterpart to HFTP's 45-year-old Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) – the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC Dubai served as HFTP's third HITEC of the year, and took place from November 14-15, 2017 at the Conrad Dubai in Dubai, UAE.
The inaugural conference featured 600+ hospitality stakeholders, 40+ solution and service providers and 30+ industry expert speakers. Modeling the HITEC Amsterdam format, the show offered an education program, exhibits and networking. Unique to HITEC Dubai was a summit with one-to-one business meetings between pre-qualified hoteliers and cutting-edge technology providers. Planned by the HITEC Dubai Advisory Council, featuring industry experts with 200+ years of combined experience, the education program included topics such as: PMS; SaaS; robots; smart rooms; cyber-security; travel technology; blockchain; and much more.
"It was important for HFTP to expand the HITEC brand into the Middle Eastern market to advance hospitality finance and technology in the region" said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. "HFTP continues to receive requests to bring both our educational resources and expand our network of volunteer experts to other regions of the world. HITEC Dubai's success is a notable example of the industry's desire for and support of our efforts."
HITEC Dubai 2018 demand is already so strong that it has outgrown its initial venue. Planning for a new venue is underway and both venue and dates will be announced soon. Like other HITEC events, priority for participation will be given first to those who participated in HITEC Dubai before others are added.
"We were very excited to have HITEC based here in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the first time," said HITEC Dubai Advisory Chairman Marwan Al Ali, group CIO at Jumeirah Group – one of the largest hospitality groups in the Middle East. "HITEC, over the last few decades, has developed a very strong reputation when it comes to hotel technology. HITEC plays an important role in connecting people across the industry, and bring[s] the latest trends in technology to the audience attending HITEC."
Upcoming in 2018, HITEC Amsterdam will take place from April 11-13 in addition to the larger HITEC Houston from June 18-21 and HITEC Dubai in late 2018. For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other international activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. For more information about HITEC Dubai, visit www.hitec-dubai.com or download the comprehensive HITEC 2017 multi-event mobile app from the iTunes Apple Store and Google Play.
