INDIE Cultivate on July 11th - 12th in New York helps hoteliers explore what matters most when it comes to the complex hospitality tech space
If I were asked to compile a list of the most prominent figures currently influencing the trajectory of the independent lodging industry, Andrew Benioff, the Founder and Chairman of the Independent Lodging Congress would undoubtedly be included. As a tenured hospitality professional, I’ve been given the opportunity to connect with countless thought leaders in the space – many of whom exhibit a seemingly unquenchable appetite for innovation and growth – and Benioff is no exception.
In the whirlwind pace of any HITEC conference, where back-to-back sessions, workshops, and networking events monopolize the daylight hours and often extend into the evening, carving out free time can feel like a Herculean task. Each day is a marathon of learning, dialogue, and professional engagement that leaves little room for exploration outside the conference parameters.
ILC's events bring together the best minds in hospitality for collaboration and ideation. They attract hospitality professionals, industry leaders, and innovative thinkers to exchange ideas, share insights, and explore the future of independent lodging.
What began with washing dishes and bussing tables later evolved into a role as an electronic data processing manager. Since then, Foster has been at the helm of various hospitality brands at transformative inflection points. Today, Foster is the Global President of HFTP.
I don’t use chatbots. 60% of millennials say they have used chatbots. 70% of them say they had a positive experience, (via Forbes) but for me, I have just not engaged with them, until now. With the meteoric rise of ChatGPT over the past few months and with major travel companies like Expedia embracing them, I have become somewhat of a convert.
Learning and innovation go hand in hand, and, with this in mind, it should come as no surprise that HITEC takes great care to prioritize learning through the educational sessions offered to attendees each year.
Taking a closer look at how interactive holograms solve staff shortages, long wait times, language barriers, and inefficiencies - empowering hotels to unlock next level memorable experiences and ROI
From Little Italy to Chinatown, there's something for everyone in this global, culture-rich host city
Leading the charge toward that future at industry's most influential event in Toronto, from June 26th to 29th