As first-time exhibitors at this year's HITEC in Orlando (The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference), we learned a few lessons the hard way. Here are five fun lessons for future HITEC exhibitors!
HITEC Orlando is in the books! Our exhibit packages found their way safely back to our office. Our inbox is back to a manageable state, and we are gearing up to do it again in Toronto!
As first-time HITEC exhibitors this year, we learned a lot. Below are five lessons we learned the hard way:
Mark the box containing your scissors. Otherwise, it'll be in the last box you open while setting up your exhibit. Seriously… the last box!
Have you tried the trade show diet? It's where you have no time to run off and grab a bite to eat. Plan ahead for breaks. Bring snacks.
The squishier the floor, the happier your feet! After standing all day on concrete, we know why other booths roll out that friendly squishy flooring. It feels incredible to walk on!
Drink water between your cocktails while networking during HITEC parties. If you think the days are long, the nights are longer.
Make friends with your booth neighbors. You'll never know when you need to borrow a pair of scissors.
If we missed you at HITEC Orlando, or you have some HITEC lessons you've learned from the school of hard knocks, we'd love to hear from you! We can't wait to see you at HITEC Toronto later this year!
Schedule a quick demo with us if you're interested in getting a sneak peek at our new hotel features before Toronto!
About HITEC
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology event. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), a global nonprofit hospitality association that is headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe in one place. The unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts, and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines.
For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Events Department at education@hftp.org or visit www.hftp.org.
History of HITEC
Twenty years after the official inception of the international association, its forefathers recognized a growing segment in the hospitality industry — technology. In 1972, HFTP sponsored the first International Hospitality Conference to provide a forum for promoting and displaying the latest in hospitality technology.
Technology in 1972 did not involve customer relationship management applications, in-room Internet, or hand-held computers; instead, the large hotels were looking into the first renditions of front office property management systems, electronic cash registers, and point-of-sale systems.
Today, HITEC is a well-known, global event with thousands of attendees and hundreds of companies. HITEC serves as a vehicle for distributing the most innovative products and services to the industry worldwide.
Historically hosted annually in a different city throughout the United States, HFTP decided to expand its recognized event internationally by producing a European and Middle East counterpart. In 2017, HFTP hosted three HITEC events – including two inaugural events – all taking place outside U.S. borders.
Celebrating 50 years in 2022, HITEC is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology conference. #HITEC Orange County Convention Center - West Building
HITEC overview The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is an event with a unique combination of top-notch education, the brightest minds, and the hottest technologies from across the globe in one place. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), a global nonprofit hospitality association, the unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts, and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. HITEC Orlando 2022 is located at the Orange County Convention Center West Concourse: 9800 International Drive | Orlando, FL 32819