doug rice
Redefining Hotel Technology
Michael Toedt | April 23, 2024
Embracing Guest Centricity Over Transactions By Michael Toedt Doug Rice, a distinguished figure in hotel technology, recently critiqued the stagnation of Property Management Systems (PMS)[1] in his piece for Hospitality Upgrade. Despite three decades, the core functionality of PMS has remained largely unchanged. While interfaces have evolved, the underlying processes have not, posing a significant roadblock to efficiency and personalization. PMS may be the nerve center of on-site operations, yet the broader technological landscape of a hotel comprises numerous systems, all purporting to enhance the guest experience. The real questio...
Siegel Sez: Business Intelligence and Analytics: RIP Excel?
January 21, 2022
Siegel Sez January 21, 2022 Here we are in the third week of January. Doesn’t it already seem like the holidays were ages ago? I know it does for me. As we look ahead to 2022, there have been interesting conversations regarding what lies ahead. I talk to so many hoteliers and vendors, and it’s great that there’s a sense of controlled optimism. It’s refreshing after what we’ve all been through. Of course, there will always be those who are focused on the negative, but that will never be my focus. Think positive! Be positive! And great things will happen. I hope this is not just the dreamer in me. I’ve enjoyed all the inquiries...
Siegel Sez: Not Your Father’s Power Socket
September 3, 2021
Siegel Sez September 3, 2021 Maybe my age is showing, but I miss the times where Walter Cronkite (OK, that was actually before my time), Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw gave us the news we needed every night. Today, thanks to the rapidly changing world of social media, news comes from thousands of sources and probably half of it is made up. I bring this up because recently a few people reached out to me asking if HITEC was canceled. Of course, no one could explain specifically where they had heard this information, but it made me laugh. I guaranteed them that HITEC will not cancel. There are thousands of people in the industry fro...
Siegel Sez: Get On Your Surfboard, The Next Wave Is Here!
July 30, 2021
Siegel Sez July 30, 2021 This has been one of my favorite weeks. Yes, we all must deal with COVID-19 updates, which seem to be all over the place and has people wondering about the impact on travel. However, perseverance seems to be driving the belief that the recovery will continue on a positive path. This is the week we have received many registrations for our 19th CIO Summit, which will be held in Atlanta. The registrations have led to conversations with the industry technology leaders, and that part, I just love. Everyone has a story to share, and I keep thinking how they will be shared over the course of our event September 8-10. We...
Siegel Sez: The Apple Changes Its Stripes
June 18, 2021
Siegel Sez June 18, 2021 Have you ever found yourself in excruciating anticipation because you’re so eager to share something? That is what the last 24 hours have been for me. Last week was our Executive Vendor Summit with a crowd of 88 from the vendor community, a half dozen or so CIOs from the hotel world, the leaders of HTNG, HFTP and HSMAI and some amazing speakers and staff for a crowd of 103 attendees. It was amazing. During our planning for EVS, I had this creative idea for our first-night ice breaker and even though my team thought I was nuts, I said we could pull this off. I know the vendors for the hotel industry are a somewhat ...
Siegel Sez: Biometrics
June 4, 2021
Siegel Sez June 4, 2021 Last week I went to the HFTP Club Summit in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I had never been to this event before, but I went this year for the sole reason of the experience. For the 150 attendees and myself it was the first live event most of us had been to in 14 months. I wondered how attendees would react. How would the issue of vaccines be dealt with? Next week our own event, the Executive Vendor Summit, has 102 attendees gathering in Nashville, and it motivated me to go to the HFTP Club Summit. I was curious -- would they wear masks? Would they be OK being close to each other or was social distancing going to be the no...
Siegel Sez: The COVID Year – What Tech Changes Will Last?
April 23, 2021
I will encourage you to read Doug Rice’s column that follows which includes the latest technology news. This week Doug talks about the technology changes inspired by COVID-19, which will stay, and which won’t. For those of you who have been out to eat - would you really want to look at a menu any other way than holding it in your hand when COVID-19 is behind us? Doug brings up some good points as to possibly why you wouldn’t, especially if you owned the restaurant. There will be a transition in the world and especially in the hotel industry as the recovery gains legs. Leisure travel will probably set records this year and groups and ...
Siegel Sez: It’s Not Just a Room – Part 1
February 12, 2021
February 12, 2020 Sometimes it is nice just to take a moment to reflect. Unfortunately, right now I am reflecting how great my relationship was with my 6-year-old laptop which I am in the process of replacing. Honestly, is there anything more frustrating than getting a new laptop and trying to bring everything over? There are always a few surprises, like finding passwords and missing documents. But enough of my venting. As I reflect and sort through the old to transfer what I might need, I think about all the people from the industry who I have gotten to know. Over the years, we have produced 15 Executive Vendor Summits which brings the s...
