Hostech: hospitality and technology

[newsroom]

Registrations have opened for the Hostech Conference, which forms part of Hostech 2009, the first hospitality technology event in South Africa, taking place at the Midrand Conference Centre in Johannesburg on 25 and 26 February 2009.

The event, endorsed by the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), drawn 16 speakers from major hospitality technology companies such as Dimensions Data, Think IT, NFS Hospitality, Bytes Communications Systems, Hospitality Technology International, Acctech Intergr8 and Schneider Electric.
Topics to be discussed

Topics to be covered include the role of ICT in meeting the green agenda, technology trends for enhancing the in-room guest experience, online reservation technology and channel management, the changing role of the internet in the hospitality industry, the functions of property management systems, hospitality transactional marketing, energy efficiency in the hospitality industry, and hotel security and emergencies.

Ryno van Ellewee, MD of Trade Conferences International, the organisers of the event, says improvements in technology and automation bring constant changes to the marketplace, and this is no different in the hospitality market.

According to Van Ellewee, the unique position of the hospitality industry - dealing with people all the time - makes strategic decisions on how to deploy technology and upgrade present systems a necessity. Delegates at the conference will be brought up to date on the latest technology trends.
Who should attend?

The conference is directed towards general managers of hotels, lodges and casinos, as well as people dealing with guest relations, front office activities, PR, marketing, security to any other management position in hospitality.

Van Ellewee says the Hostech Exhibition, which will run alongside the conference, will allow exhibitors to gain access to a high quality audience of major representatives in the hospitality industry.

"Participation will not only allow you networking time with fellow hospitality technology companies, but will expand your contact to key technical personnel and others who have an interest in technology developments."
Exhibitor profile

The exhibitor profile includes companies dealing with: property management systems, point of sale systems, internet applications and broadband solutions, security and safety systems, telecommunications equipment, energy management, hospitality information systems, guest services and in-room entertainment.

Van Ellewee says for people that deal with any of the above, or who count hotels, lodges, casinos and travel agencies among their clients, exhibiting at the event is a must. source SAinfo