HITEC show: June 20-23, 2005.

The 2005 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), sponsored by Hospitality Financial Technology Planners (HFTP), will be held June 20-23 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA.

With over 624 booths representing 280 companies, HITEC is the most comprehensive technology-oriented meeting of its kind in the hospitality industry. The show brings together buyers and sellers of technology for a one-stop shopping opportunity. The number of exhibits has increased significantly over the past decade, from 252 booths in 1993 to the current 624. Attendance at the event has also increased correspondingly, from around 20 visitors at the show's debut in 1972, to 1,825 in 1993, to an expected attendance of approximately 4,500 at this year's HITEC.

Rounding out the show will be a lineup of more than 35 educational sessions taught by some of the world's foremost hospitality technology experts and users. As a special bonus, HITEC's opening session will be jumpstarted by cartoonist Scott Adams, famous for his work in creating the widely-popular syndicated comic strip, "Dilbert."

On Thursday, June 23, the general session will feature a panel of chief information officers (CIOs) who will highlight their recent accomplishments--as well as mistakes they have made--and where the industry is lacking when it comes to technology. Panelists will also share their vision of the future and what technology will impact both their operations and customers. The lively and highly interactive session will be moderated by Dr. Lalia Rach, associate dean and HVS International Chair for the NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management.

Other secured panelists include:

* Andrew Furrer, corporate director of information technology for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Furrer is directly responsible for the day-to-day operation of the information technology systems at Kimpton. In his business, he leads a group of 12 employees in the development and service and support of single user systems to complex systems, incorporating numerous systems and sites. From that position, Furrer joined Kimpton supporting the Pacific Northwest, and was subsequently promoted to his current role.

* Nicholas Malcolm Price, CIO/CTO for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Ltd. Price is responsible for a broad range of digital and soon-to-be digital technologies and services, including traditional hotel telephony, hotel networks, in-room technologies, and audio-visual systems. He joined Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in January 2000 as director of technology. With more than 19 years experience in IT and emerging technologies, Price brings to Mandarin Oriental an in-depth understanding of current and emerging technology trends in their commercial application.

* Tim Stanley, senior vice president and CIO for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Stanley is in charge of all of Harrah's world class information technology functions, including their award winning Total Rewards program. Prior to Harrah's, he was a partner with consulting firms USWeb and march-FIRST, the CIO for Las Vegas-based National Airlines, and has held various leadership positions with Intel, Optima/KPMG, InnovaTech, and Kimberly-Clark.

Revenue Management Strategy Conference

As part of HITEC, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will hold its second annual Revenue Management Strategy Conference. This program will summarize the issues and challenges that revenue and yield management professionals are facing, summarize the implications, and provide solutions and strategies from HSMAI's Revenue Management Advisory Board.

The Revenue Management Strategy Conference's keynote will discuss pricing as a strategic capability, and will be given by Mark Bergen, Ph.D., professor at the Carlton School of Hospitality Management at the University of Minnesota. This will be followed by a panel discussion on "Top Revenue Management Resolutions for a Recovering Market."

The afternoon will continue with three different concurrent sessions, including: a panel discussion on Integrating Revenue Technology Solutions with Internal Systems and Processes in the Real World Hotel Management Environment; an educational presentation by Steve Swope from The Rubicon Group, along with an interactive activity on the topic of pricing; and a panel discussion on Pricing and Revenue Management Considerations for Electronic Distribution Channels. Roundtable discussion will end the conference, with topics on: defining revenue management as a profession; the value of automated systems; channel management; rate integrity; pricing and discounting; and using outside revenue management training companies.