Chicago Changes Make HFTP's HITEC 2002 Even More User Friendly.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

HITEC 2002

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2002

HITEC 2002 will benefit from a number of sweeping new improvements made by the city of Chicago in its quest to be the Convention City.

HITEC 2002 will be held June 25-27 at McCormick Place in Chicago where attendees and exhibitors from around the world will converge to see and learn about the absolute latest in hospitality technology.

"Attending the 30th anniversary of HITEC, the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology show, has never been easier," said Wendy Zurstadt, CHAE, CHTP, from the Hartford Golf Club and this year's HITEC Advisory Council Chair. "Chicago promises to be one of the best locations for our venue that we have ever had."

One of the most exciting changes is the off-the-road dedicated bus lane. This bus lane will provide HITEC 2002 attendees a non-stop express service from downtown hotels to McCormick Place in less than eight minutes. Other transportation improvements include a 2,500-car enclosed parking garage with sky bridges to McCormick Place, a totally complete on-site rail station in the McCormick Place complex that provides direct access via commuter train to and from downtown Chicago in 10 minutes and free shuttle trolley service that operates to and from Navy Pier, including access to Michigan Avenue.

Once the education programs and exhibits are complete for the day, HITEC 2002 attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy Chicago which is always alive with activity ranging from outstanding world-class shopping, a variety of sporting events, clubs, theaters, cultural events and attractions and perhaps most interesting to the hospitality industry attendees, more four-star restaurants than any other U.S. city!

Due to O'Hare's status as a "hub" airport and Midway Airport's low-fare airlines, average airfares are lower into Chicago than Las Vegas, San Francisco, Orlando, Anaheim, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Washington D.C., and most major and secondary cities. Chicago's transportation system provides visitors a number of options of traveling from the airport to downtown quickly and easily.

"Since Chicago has made HITEC 2002 participation so easy, we expect a good turnout -- in spite of the current economics in the industry," said John Cahill, CHTP, CHA, who is the CIO at Manhattan East Suite Hotels and the 2002 President of HFTP. Detailed conference information is available at www.hitec.org. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact the HITEC Exposition Department at [phone] or [phone] ext. 29.

HITEC, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, is the largest and most comprehensive showcase of hospitality technology in the world. HITEC 2002 is expected to attract over 6,000 attendees. The exposition will host over 250 vendors in more than 600 booths, covering every facet of hospitality technology -- from accounting software to central reservation systems to telecommunications.

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP(R) is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,500 members around the world. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP has been serving the hospitality industry since 1952.

HFTP(R) and HITEC(R) are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.