MURTEC Keynote Tackles Digital Disruption

Kelly Smith, senior vice president and chief digital officer of MGM Resorts International, will deliver the day two keynote at MURTEC 2019 titled “Disrupting Digital Disruption.”

What does digital transformation really mean? Businesses across industries are still grappling with this moving target. In his session, Smith will share what he has come to understand during his years in the hospitality industry from revolutionizing Starbucks' consumer-facing experiences to reimagining MGM’s digital touchpoints. Smith will demystify vague notions of what digital transformation is to identify what true disruptors and legacy brands that have successfully evolved have identified as a path forward. His findings will help attendees map out their own course to the future of hospitality.

Smith has more than 20 years of hospitality technology experience and has functioned as a digital business leader, product designer, engineering team leader, entrepreneur and investor. In his current role, he oversees all aspects of digital transformation to include team building, customer experience, development and product management.   

Smith honed his extensive digital expertise with Starbucks, where he served as vice president of global digital products, leading the teams responsible for the company’s innovative mobile and web products, which drive millions of daily transactions and billions in revenue. He served as the vice president, digital for Starbucks China where he recruited and led the initial product management, design and engineering teams developing groundbreaking consumer experiences such as digital payment and China’s mobile popular food and beverage loyalty program.

Smith has started and sold several venture-backed software companies and founded a seed-stage investment firm in Seattle called Curious Office. He started his career in the earliest days of the internet, marketing an early version of the very first web browser. The company was sold to AOL, and he went on to work for RealNetworks where they pioneered the idea of audio and video delivery on the internet.

MURTEC is March 11-13 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and features dozens of on-trend seminars and networking events where restaurant executives can learn about innovative solutions and prepare for what’s possible tomorrow.  A full schedule of events and registration is available online.