Top Minds in Hospitality Offer Insight

Collaboration is a critical component in business development. For 15 years, HTNG has proudly played a significant role in creating networking and partnership opportunities to help its members thrive in the hospitality industry. Last year, HTNG announced a new program, Platinum Plus, that serves as an optional, add-on to HTNG’s existing Platinum membership tier.

Platinum Plus is available to HTNG Platinum members and provides an intimate meeting opportunity with the HTNG Board of Governors. HTNG’s Board consists of 23 CIOs and senior executives from leading hospitality companies around the world. The program allows members to arrange a private meeting with these leading hospitality professionals, and also allows members to gain immediate feedback and valuable direction on their topic of choice.

The first Platinum Plus meeting took place in June 2017, after HITEC Toronto. 

“I found the input from the executives from different hotel groups and advisors in this industry very valuable and helpful toward shaping our strategy going forward,” said Akina Ho, executive VP of global hospitality business, Tink Labs, a company that upgraded their HTNG membership in order to participate. “This meeting provided great feedback on what we are doing and gave Tink Labs exposure to 20+ industry executives and influencers in a single meeting.”

Gaining insight and recommendations from these experts can enhance a company’s direction and strategy. This is an outstanding opportunity for companies new to the industry, companies with a cutting-edge solution or companies interested in brainstorming alternative approaches.

“In the age of acceleration, Platinum Plus offers the perfect way to present your idea, project or strategy to the right audience,” Mike Blake, CEO, HTNG, describes.

“If you are rolling out new technology or solutions and want to see if the direction is correct, this is the best forum to share and gain input,” Ho says.

If a company is seeking to meet with executives, they may be inclined to host an event, find a date, send out invitations, organize the meeting and pay for travel expenses. However, a much easier option is to simply sign up for this program!

Three quarters of the available meetings for 2017 were sold-out within one month of introducing the Platinum Plus Program at the end of 2016. Approaching the second year, HTNG forecasts as much demand as year one. In 2018, four meetings will be available for selection on a first-come, first-served basis.

By participating in the Platinum Plus Program, members can select either a 60-minute, face-to-face meeting, or a 45-minute teleconference. Although the program is only available to Platinum members, HTNG encourages members to upgrade memberships to participate.

The Platinum Plus Program provides a seamless resource for HTNG members to gain qualified expertise and equips them with an advanced business development vehicle. This program strives to further instill HTNG’s mission of collaboration and serves to underscore the phrase made famous by Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

For more information on Platinum Plus, please contact [email protected]. 

 

HTNG Board of Governors:

Monika Nerger, Global CIO, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group – President

Page Petry, Chief IT Officer, Americas, Marriott International – Vice President

Mark Rupert Read, Director of IT, Firmdale Hotels – Secretary

Floor Bleeker, CIO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts – Treasurer

Samir Abi Frem, Corporate VP of IT, Rotana Hotels Management Corporation

Gustaf Burman, SVP of IT, Montage Hotels and Resorts

Jeff Bzdawka, SVP – Global Hotel Technology, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Brian Garavuso, Executive VP & CIO, Diamond Resorts International

Bernard Gay, CIO, Delaware North

Kristie Goshow, SVP – Commercial,Viceroy Hotel Group

Jai Govindani, CTO, Red Planet Hotels

Vineet Gupta, Executive VP & CIO, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International

Dave Herwig, Deputy CIO, Choice Hotels International

Laurent Idrac, CIO, AccorHotels

Edward Malinowski, CIO, Great Wolf Resorts

Bill Martin, CIO, AEG Worldwide

Mark McBeth, VP IT, North America, Marriott International

Wendy Mertz, VP, IT Applications & Strategy, Hard Rock International

Christian Palomino, VP of Global IT, Meliá Hotels International

Gustaaf Schrils, CIO, White Lodging

Jason Shane, Sr. Director of IT, Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P.

Richard Tudgay, VP IT Services and Delivery, Highgate Hotels

Nancy Wolff, VP, Hotel Systems, Jumeirah Group