8:30 - 9:45 AM Concurrent Sessions

Maximize the Business Value of Your Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
Learn how to clearly define what SOA/Systems Integration and Middleware are in this session. Hear from an SOA Expert, and two industry professionals presenting case studies and gain insight on understanding the successes and roadblocks found during implementation of these technologies.

Brands Talk Technology
Explore the world of brand technology and how it affects your property. Learn what brands have planned for 2008 and beyond as well as what they are doing to prepare for these changes including what changes are planned for existing technologies.

PCI, Security and User protection
Discuss how to build and maintain a secure network and protect stored cardholder’s data. The session reviews what is needed to implement strong access control measures in an age where security is a major concern with hotels and guests.

F&B Technology – The Latest & Greatest
Discover future trends for both hardware and software in Food & Beverage outlets, retail shops, spas, golf clubs, and tennis clubs. Discover new ways to implement client software on existing hardware platforms. Familiarize yourself with the new gadgets and applications that spur your imagination and get your creative juices going.

Supplier Session: Getting Property Level Buy-in to New Programs
Should you use the Stick or Carrot approach?  When a management company signs on for a new program, whether it is technology or purchasing, acceptance at the property level is critical to the success.  Find out what approach gets the greater level of quality compliance?  Top down?  Bottom up?  Mandates?  This session also identifies what are the required components to get property buy-in?

Club Technology: Trends for 2008 and Beyond
This session explores the technology trends in the private club industry. Topics include hot new technologies being deployed in private clubs, such as Wi-Fi, wireless POS, data mining, CRM, web integration with accounting, VoIP, advanced security measures and others. In addition, important operational trends are addressed, including the need for professional IT staffing and support, single-source vs. best-of-breed solutions, and the evolving IT role of club financial executives.

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Exhibits Open

 2:00 - 3:00 PM Closing Session

Hotels and Metrics Ratings – Understanding the Ratings System
Hotels and Resorts have all received their share of ratings – stars, diamonds, letters, numbers and even thumbs – have been used to tell a potential guest at a glance the merits of a property.  Often today’s travelers take these rating systems as being highly credible without understanding that some are a way for a business to sell more product or for a disgruntled customer looking for a free stay to discredit a property without recourse, while some offer unbiased information.    

HITEC’s closing session will feature panelists representing well known online and “print” companies who will explain what rating systems mean, how they are determined, if uniform standards are needed, the relevance of ratings, what’s in store for the future of the ratings system and quite possibly the answer to the question “Do I really have to have a two line phone in all my rooms to receive a top tier rating?”

Panelists: Shane O’Flaherty, president and CEO of Mobil Travel Guide; Brian Payea, trade relations manager with TripAdvisor; Michel Mousseau, regional manager of tourism information department with AAA; and Jennifer Davies, next generation content manager for Expedia.com.