HITEC Houston Boasts Highest Attended Event in Its Association’s History
June 28, 2018
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) recently wrapped up its highest-attended North American event in its association’s 65-year history.
The annual event, which took place June 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, attracted more than 6,650 hospitality financial and technology professionals seeking to learn how to integrate the latest technologies in the hospitality space.
Produced annually by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP),
HITEC is known as the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand that has been showcasing the industry’s latest innovations while providing top-notch education for more than 45 years.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make HITEC Houston a huge success,” said Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP, a 65-year-old hospitality association headquartered in Austin, Texas that also boasts offices in Hong Kong, the U.K., The Netherlands and Dubai.
He continued, “HITEC Houston was not only the highest attended HITEC conference to date, but it was also the highest attended overall conference in HFTP’s 65-year history. HFTP looks forward to continuing to serve the hospitality technology community in years to come.”
HITEC Houston’s exhibit floor featured 397 exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality technology products and services, while the conference featured over 120 speakers, including futurist Mike Walsh and data security expert Theresa Payton as keynote speakers. Daily education sessions addressed top-trending topics including data security; IT initiatives; sustainability and CSR; AI; leadership development; blockchain and millennials reshaping the industry.
The Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Houston innovation competition for hospitality startups featured 16 startups, an expert panel of six judges and 16 industry mentors who coached the entrepreneurs before their four-minute pitch, with Reply.ai winning the E20X Judge’s Award and Beekeeper chosen by conference attendees – via the HFTP Multi-event app – as the E20X People’s Choice Award winner.
Three hospitality technology industry leaders were recognized and awarded at HITEC Houston, including 2018 HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame recipients Tammy Farley and Jing Zhu, and 2018 CHTP of the Year recipient Sean Van Dyke.
During the event, HFTP also hosted its annual HITEC Helps social responsibility project, which raised funds for local nonprofit Compudopt, a local nonprofit that provides technology access and education to underserved youth in the Houston area.
As of 2017, HFTP produces three HITEC events per year: HITEC Amsterdam, HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America, the latter of which rotates cities annually and is the largest of the three shows.
HITEC Minneapolis is scheduled for June 17-20 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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