Social Networking

HITEC 2009, held June 22-25, offers attendees a glimpse at some of the most innovative and cutting edge technologies on the market today. Couldn't make it to the convention? Hospitality Technology is there to bring you the biggest announcements as they are being revealed live from the show floor.

The popularity of online social networking spans the generations with more than 40 percent of consumers using popular sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, according to the Consumer Internet Barometer.

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.

Social media and Web 2.0 are revolutionizing the way many modern adults stay connected and share ideas. Discover new uses for Web 2.0 tools and the best practices that will boost brand recognition and drive business efficiency in any hospitality organization.

The One Thousand's new viral marketing campaign features a social media inspired website designed to close the financial aid gap at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration.

The luxury hotel group's new site showcases member hotels with a streamlined design, consumer booking capabilities, and unique marketing and advertising opportunities.

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa gave away 96 free rooms to its Twitter followers on Monday as a promotion to celebrate the hotel's 96th birthday.

Viral mechanisms such as Twitter and Facebook are quickly becoming common vehicles for guests to talk about their restaurant experiences, be it good or bad. By tying guest satisfaction data to a business intelligence solution, operators can accurately measure and track store performances. Here's how.