HTNG Appoints Executive Director

Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) announces the appointment of Douglas C. Rice as Executive Director, succeeding Dr. Matthew Dunn, who served as Acting Executive Director since early this year. Dr. Dunn remains integrally involved in HTNG and will assume a formal advisory role.

"The board of directors and I welcome Doug Rice as HTNG's next leader, and as our first step in establishing a permanent organization" said Gebhard Rainer, president of HTNG and VP of Hotel Finance and Technology for Hyatt. "We also owe Matthew Dunn a tremendous debt of gratitude and look forward to his continued active involvement in HTNG in an advisory role."

In addition, HTNG announces two new workgroups focused on property/distribution and in-room technology. Sponsored by Cisco, Guest-Tek, LodgeNet, Mandarin Oriental, Microsoft, Paradyne, and Quadriga, the In-Room Technology Workgroup is accepting applications from hotel companies and vendors through October 15. The members of the Property/Distribution group include: Hilton Int'l, Hyatt, Millennium Hotels, OTA, Wyndham and nine technology vendors and two consultants.