Cover Story

Hospitality Technology sits down with Scott Gibson, CIO and SVP of Distribution for Best Western International, for a candid perspective on when, where and how hotels can invest for greatest returns on guest satisfaction and on their bottom-line. Plus, Gibson shares his company's near-term tech priorities; for Best Western, an optimized web site ranks high on the list.

Since its official release in July 2009, Pizza Hut's revolutionary and award-winning iPhone/iPod touch application has created an innovation 'explosion' in the mobile communication front. Pizza Hut's Baron Concors, CIO; Kevin Fish, project manager; and Carlos Chavez, director of eCommerce technology dish on the winning strategy that launched its first-to-market, million-dollar food ordering application.

In its most comprehensive point of sale software coverage of the year, Hospitality Technology presents the results of its reader survey on top POS technology. The results of a reader survey on top POS technologies reveal the most interesting platform innovations to their companies this year, along with their 2010 purchasing plans. Meanwhile, POS vendors offer trend predictions and uncork their technology development plans for your POS software in the year ahead.

2009 has been a tumultuous year for hospitality operators. With the U.S. Federal Reserve declaring the recession's end, business owners are eager to set their sights on 2010 and move forward with their recovery efforts. In an exclusive reader survey, HT taps its audience of IT pros to learn how their companies are faring in the recovery period, as well as the specific business initiatives that they are focusing on for 2010.

Built on a robust IP backbone that's engineered to run whatever technology the innovation community can throw at it, the theWit Hotel's executive team is free to carry out their true vision of creating an immersive experience that oozes culture and entertainment. Developer Scott Greenberg and branding and technology executives Lou Carrier and Darrin Pinkham, give HT the inside story on the technology, the culture and the vision that is theWit Hotel.

Since its founding in 1953, Sonic, America's Drive-In has believed in the franchisee system, with a motto that "owners make better operators." Now, more than 50 years later Sonic is in the midst of a re-franchising initiative, partnering with its franchise base to foster innovation and expansion in a tough economic climate. HT talks to Sonic's VP of brand technology Brad Sheriff and franchisee Angela Owen about the communication strategies, technology solutions and partnership best practices that are creating opportunities for the entire Sonic community.

When the Hard Rock Cafe's new flagship location opens this summer, it will also debut Hard Rock Interactive, a series of touch-enabled technologies aimed at enhancing the guest experience, and showcasing Hard Rock's world-renowned collection of rock and roll memorabilia on larger-than-life displays. HT gets an inside look at these technologies in an exclusive interview with Joe Tenczar, sr. director of technology/CIO for Hard Rock International.

In 2007, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts launched Link@Sheraton, a unique concept for its lobbies that melds technology with social interaction. These lobbies strive to create an ideal work-play environment, complete with all-in-one workstations, free HSIA and, in some locations, Microsoft Surface touch-sensitive tables. Find out why both guests and owners are raving about these concept lobbies in this exclusive interview with Starwood execs Hoyt Harper, SVP of brand management, and Mark McBeth, VP of IT.