Two authorities on operating your business in a digital-dependent world have been added to the education program for Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®)'s upcoming Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). The opening keynote presenter is Mike Walsh, a 21st century business designer, futurist, global nomad and author. The event's closing keynote is Theresa Payton, a former The White House CIO and cybersecurity authority. HITEC Houston is the second, and largest, of three HITEC events planned for 2018, and will take place from June 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas USA.
On Monday, June 18, 2018, Mike Walsh will take the HITEC Houston stage from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. to discuss his topic of "Reinventing Leadership for the Age of Machine Intelligence." Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. He advises leaders on how to thrive in the current era of disruptive technological change rather than focusing on the distant future. Walsh takes an anthropological approach scanning the near horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, and then translating these into pragmatic plans for digital transformation. He has many clients spanning the global Fortune 500, and also founded Jupiter Research in Australia.
On Thursday, June 21, 2018, Theresa Payton will take the HITEC Houston stage from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. to discuss her topic of "Hype or Reality? Your Workplace and Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Internet of Things." Payton was the first female to serve as The White House chief information officer, and she was named number four on IFSEC Global's list of the world's Top 50 cybersecurity influencers in security and fire 2017. Payton is a well-respected authority on Internet security, data breaches and fraud mitigation. With real-world strategies and solutions, she helps public and private sector organizations protect their most valuable resources.
"The HITEC Advisory Council has planned a stellar education program for this year's event, including two reputable keynote speakers," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. "Shifting gears into today's technology dependent society, both keynote speakers have extensive knowledge on how businesses and leadership can adapt into more modernized, thus successful, entities."
Booth space for HITEC Houston is sold out. A waiting list is available on a first-come, first-served basis for booth space – a floor plan of the exhibit hall is available on the HITEC Houston website. HITEC is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference with over 337 companies and 887 booths occupying this year's show floor. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. Beginning in early June 2018, HITEC Houston exhibitors will have the opportunity to select space in advance for next year's show.
In addition to HITEC Houston, HFTP has several other events upcoming in 2018. HFTP Annual Convention will October 24-26 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky USA. HITEC Dubai will take place December 5-6 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. For more information about HFTP's international events, visit www.hftp.org and www.hitec.org or contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org.
