HFTP Blog
June 23, 2022

So Many Things to Celebrate: Insights from a HITEC Orlando Guest Blogger

HITEC Orlando 2022
Written by Ron Strecker, CHAE+, CHTP+ — Contributor

Welcome to my HITEC Orlando 2022 pre-arrival blog post. I would like to thank the team at HFTP for selecting me as one of this year’s guest bloggers. Also, be sure to check out Jennifer Jones’ posts. She and I are both back for encore appearances as HITEC guest bloggers.

Starting way back in 1997, HITEC became the most important annual event on my work calendar....It became a much-anticipated break from the monthly grind at work. Each year had its own celebratory feel as I reconnected with my growing network of industry leaders that shared a common interest.

This year, 2022, marks a few extra reasons to celebrate.

  • HITEC celebrates its 50th Anniversary: HITEC has grown over the years to become the single most-important event for hospitality technology. In my opinion, the real attraction for this event is the balance that exists between the trade show exhibits and the educational sessions. I wonder how many of this year’s vendors can say they have been represented in all 50 previous HITECs.

  • Welcome back to our international partners and attendees: HITEC 2021 was a welcomed opportunity to meet again face-to-face. HITEC 2022 will be even better as we welcome so many of our international members, vendors and attendees that were under travel restrictions nine months ago.

  • HFTP celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year:...Mark your calendar for September 14-16 for the HFTP 2022 Annual Convention taking place in Austin, Texas as the members celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding....From a small group of New York City hotel accountants to an international association representing the financial and technology professionals, HFTP has continued to focus on the educational development of its members and industry reporting standards. Be sure and visit the HFTP MemberWorld Booth #1544 in the HITEC Orlando Exhibit Hall to learn more about membership and the HFTP Academy.

  • Hospitality Upgrade Turns 30:...Hospitality Upgrade Magazine turned 30 this year with a celebration at their annual Executive Vendor Summit. Rich Siegel, Geneva Rinehart, and the rest of the HU team are omni-present at HITEC each year. The magazine is always filled with relevant articles written by a variety of top-notch contributors. The vendors had a chance to roast Rich at their event — the rest of us can do our own Rich-roasting at HITEC. Stop by their booth #2111.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. My next blog post will focus on three key dimensions of HITEC: innovation, education and networking.

See you in Orlando.

Ron Strecker, CHAE+, CHTP+ is an independent consultant, author, and speaker with over 35 years of senior financial leadership roles. He is also an official event guest blogger for HITEC Orlando 2022, taking place June 27-30 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida USA. Continue checking HFTP Connect for more of Ron's experiences at HITEC this year.

2022 Annual Convention education guest blogger HFTP history HITEC hospitality networking Orlando technology