HFTP Connect

[Part 1] 2011 Year in Review for Hospitality Technology

[Part 2] 2011 Year in Review for Hospitality Finance

As we begin 2012, we here at HFTP Connect are reflecting on highlights we saw from the previous year to maybe see where we will go in the coming year. This three part series includes the latest happenings in hospitality technology, hospitality finance and with HFTP.

For the final post in our three-part blog series, we focus on the cool things that happened to HFTP throughout the year. 2011 was a great year for HFTP and it looks like 2012 is going to be even bigger – especially with the 40th Anniversary of HITEC and the 60th Anniversary of the association!

But before we get ahead of ourselves looking into the future, let’s rewind and see what HFTP was up to last year: Read More »

The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. There are some things that no matter how bad things get, they either don’t change for the worse or just become stronger. There is no doubt that the HFTP community became stronger after that day.

HFTP Members Rally Together

While the world was still reeling from the shock of the day, our officers at the time, Don Walton, John Cahill, Wendy Zurstadt, Tina Samson, Ginny Burke and I began planning what we could do.

On the afternoon of September 12, the following was sent to our membership on behalf of HFTP:
Read More »

I had a nice surprise the other day upon arriving at the office.

Former HFTP Global President, Jules Sieburgh, CHTP, sent me a box of archive items from our history as an association and related events to HFTP and HITEC.

Among them was the very first issue of CKC Report…The Hospitality Technology Newsletter, published in May, 1984. It was published by Larry Chervenak, CHAE and edited by Joyce Christmas.

Both had a tremendous impact on the hospitality industry. As an International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame inductee, one of Larry’s contributions to our industry was his idea to create a conference devoted to hospitality technology – which ultimately became HITEC. Joyce wrote about hospitality technology before writing about technology was “cool” and was awarded the HFTP Award of Merit for her efforts.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a CKC Report since it was discontinued because of Larry and Joyce’s health and Larry’s passing. As I thumbed through it, I had a few chuckles and a bit of reflection on how different we are today.

Here are a few excerpts: Read More »

A Survey of Hotel Guests Shows What Technology Features are Important to Them When They Travel

The integration of technology into our everyday routine is seamless — used in communication, design, decision-making, orientation and entertainment. With mobile smart devices in our hands, and media and information up in the cloud, there are limitless possibilities for access. This is a game-changing development for the hospitality industry, opening a new avenue for delivering personal guest services efficiently and with ease in the guestroom.

Before HITEC each year, one of the most frequent questions asked is, “What cool guestroom technology is going to be shown this year?” Because so many companies use HITEC as their product launch location, I can never answer that question definitively.

So, I decided to conduct a survey, not of what kinds of guestroom technology would be at HITEC, but of what the industry thought should be in a guestroom. Following the survey results, I am also interjecting into the survey results some ideas of things that I would include in my ideal guestroom. Read More »

At 31 years old, young, foolish and arrogant, I was ready to make my mark in the association world and was being recognized for my accomplishments at the Texas Restaurant Association when I came to this organization. At the time, I was getting a bit tired of traveling to small Texas towns to teach seminars and my intention was to become a Certified Association Executive which took lots of study time and a like all my friends, I wanted to be a “manager.”

So, in March of 1991, I stepped into the then IAHA offices (now HFTP) for a job interview and was surprised at both the size and scope. At seven full time employees, it was tiny compared to TRA. TRA had its own building and was the second largest state restaurant association in the United States, IAHA had it’s own “suite” of offices in an old office complex.

During the interview, I became intrigued with the organization, found out that I’d get my own Dell Desktop Computer, travel would be minimal which meant that I could study, pay would be minimal and my office was going to be a converted closet. During those days hardly anyone had their own desktop, no one was ever going to see my office anyway and International Associations based in Austin, Texas, were rare… so I took the job. Read More »

Can we prepare without alienating our guests? Many solutions are already in place.

Because of the recent proliferation of global terrorism and political unrest, hospitality industry visionaries are glad that they have already started integrating disaster planning into their operations.

For those who haven’t already done so, well-conceived plans that have been tested in high volatility parts of the world can be integrated into operations in areas that previously have been unneeded.

By their very nature, hotels, clubs, resorts, casinos and restaurants are supposed to be discreet, fun and non-intrusive. They are homes away from home, places where life time memories are made, and in some instances, escaping places from the everyday routine of life.  So, how does the hospitality industry balance the safety of our guests without ruining the experience?

I recently had some confidential discussions with HFTP members about their operations and here are a few things that the industry is currently doing: Read More »

If you have ever been around golf courses, you have likely seen golfers do some pretty creative driving of their golf carts. They run into things, get lost, turn them over and drive them into restricted areas. But there are two groups — one at the Free University of Berlin and another at Google — who might have a solution to this problem.

These groups are working on the creation of the first autonomous (aka — driverless) cars. The cars use video cameras, sensors and global positioning systems (GPS) to safely drive themselves. Google has safely tested their cars by “driving” them over 150,000 miles and have had only one accident, when the car was rear ended at a signal light.

Once perfected, this technology (with a few adjustments) could change golf carts forever. Read More »

During my GUESTROOM 20X presentations and demonstrations on potential future hospitality technologies, I often talk about ASIMO — Honda’s robot that can run, walk up and down stairs, make eye contact and remember you years later after only having one conversation with you. It seems that ASIMO, created in Japan, finally has some real competition.

Created at Aalborg University’s Gemonoid Lab, the Gemonoid/HR is a twin-robot designed to resemble a living person.  Read More »

The growing use of smart devices presents clubs with several challenges

Apple launched the iPad2 today. New features include:

• Video conference using “Face Time”
• Faster (9x graphics and 2x CPU), thinner (8.8 mm vs. 9.3mm) and lighter (1.3 lbs vs. 1.5 lbs)
• The A5 — first tablet  mass produced dual core processor chip
• New optional magnetic cover (which puts your iPad to sleep when closed)
• Adapter that allows you to plug your iPad2 into any HDMI ready screen
• New apps — iMovie (edit movies) and Garage Band (create music)

A year after the original iPad debuted, the tablet computer has made huge strides in how we communicate and gather information. But along with new technology, comes challenges in not letting technology take over your club.

As technology adapts, clubs must determine how new technology fits with its club and members. Club rules, which are drafted to promote cooperation among members and to establish guidelines for acceptable conduct, vary depending upon the club’s culture.

Regardless of the large number of useful applications for the club and the member, each new generation of tablet computer is going to continue to create challenges and opportunities for clubs.

Here are several challenges clubs may face with tablet computers:

Read More »

Persistent Internet rumors that magnetic swipe cards carry personal information is one privacy concern that needs to be discarded

As consumers interact and transact more frequently online, divulging personal and financial information is often done without much hesitation. Many trust security measures are in place, knowing that an operation’s reputation is on the line if there is a breach.

Hotels especially collect and maintain a vast database of guest information to cater to guests’ personal preferences, aiming for an exceptional stay and repeat visits. Because of this, the industry is a target for data theft and related rumors; and has many systems in place to protect personal information. In fact, the industry has spent tens of millions of dollars to protect consumer privacy data.

One rumor that continues to show up on the Internet is the myth that hotel key cards hold a guest’s personal data, including credit card information. As the CEO of HFTP, I frequently travel to events to speak about hotel technology trends. The question of whether guests should pocket their card for security reasons is still asked, even though it’s been over a decade since room key cards have mostly replaced hard copy keys. Read More »