HTF Keynote Speakers Announced: Focus on the Future of Hospitality

Hospitality Technology’s Hotel Technology Forum will take place April 17-19 at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. The ninth annual event will focus on the theme of “Build for the Future: Tech Innovations for the New Frontier of Lodging.”

 

The opening keynote will be presented by one of the world’s leading international futurists, trends and innovation experts, Jim Carroll. The session titled, “Rethink the Future: Identify & Engage Tomorrow’s Travelers,” will put the spotlight on the lodging industry to help an audience of senior hotel technology executives see beyond the current haze of mobility, social media and consumer expectations, to get a clearer picture of the “Guest of the Future.”

 

Carroll will help his audience prepare for the next phase of innovation at their organizations. When the dust settles on the mobile and social media boom, what will your guests look like, and how can you engage them to stay at your property? What are the must-have hotel initiatives you may not have considered, that will be critical to engaging tomorrow’s travelers? Carroll answers these questions and more in HTF’s must-see keynote.

 

Day two’s keynote is every bit as vital to hoteliers who want to thrive. Mike Blake, CIO, Commune Hotels & Resorts will open the day with his session, “CIOs, Don’t Become Obsolete! Instead Learn to Broker, Integrate & Orchestrate.”

CIOs have long ascribed to the Plan/Build/Run strategy of IT operations, but this structure is becoming increasingly outdated, and if CIOs aren't careful, they'll go out with it. In the new model of technology operations -- Broker/Integrate/
Orchestrate -- running an IT department is more about business savvy than technology expertise.

 

In this keynote address, Blake explains what this new operating model looks like in a hotel organization, and what IT executives need to know to make the transition. Blake will talk about why to buy versus build, how cloud solutions can fuel change for your organization, he'll address key points in choosing and negotiating with your technology vendors, and he'll explain why your IT skills aren't even relevant anymore.