WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Technology, one of the five markets at the 88th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS), will provide tech-savvy participants with new products, services and educational know-how to keep up with the latest advancements, November 8 - 11, 2003, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
"The Technology market at the IH/M&RS will present the latest products that are critical for business today," said Christian Falkenberg, show manager. "By offering such a comprehensive educational program, the IH/M&RS keeps hospitality professionals abreast of technological issues and advancements in the industry."
Exhibits
Some 200 companies will be exhibiting in the Show's Technology market, located on Levels 1 and 3 of the Javits Center. This market will present innovations in telecommunications; audio/visual; POS systems; security and safety; and energy management. Key exhibitors in the market include MICROS, Panasonic, Assa Abloy and Zenith.
The "Technology Innovation Center," presented in cooperation with Hospitality Upgrade magazine, will showcase inventive ways to streamline business and increase profitability. This exhibit area, located on Level 3, will feature nearly 20 companies with the most up-to-date software, wireless and Internet solutions available.
Educational Programs
Several technology-focused programs including a question and answer session with industry experts will address topics such as customer relationship management and wireless technology during the IH/M&RS.
Seminar attendance is free with an IH/M&RS badge. A complete schedule of IH/M&RS programs is available online at www.ihmrs.com. A brief description of highlighted technology sessions follows:
CRM: Whose Customer Is It Anyway?
Saturday, November 8, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
New technologies and business practices which seek to insert a third party between the hotel and the guest appear daily. Who are these intermediaries in distribution and subscription services? What does it mean for a hotel or a brand? How can the hospitality industry use similar techniques to enhance relationships with guests, bind them to a hotel and impose switching costs on them to take their business elsewhere? This seminar will provide answers to these questions and more! Richard Jackson of the American Hotel & Lodging Association will moderate the panel which includes: Mark G. Haley, The Prism Partnership; Danny Hudson, Newmarket International; and Brian Garavuso, Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
Blockbusters: The Problems and Solutions Around Group Blocks
Sunday, November 9, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
A combination of the soft travel economy and transparency of available room rates has precipitated a crisis in the meetings industry - meeting attendees are booking hotel rooms outside their group blocks. The effects are damaging to both meeting planners and hotel operators. Bookarounds compromise the planner's ability to fulfill room block commitments, represent significant lost business to host hotels and make accurate history impossible to capture for both the planners and hotels. The panel will discuss technology and business based tactics that can be implemented to stem the tide of erosion. Tom Walker of Allinces, Passkey will moderat the panel which includes: Tom Walker of Alliances, Passkey will moderate the panel which includes: Dianne Nelson Binger, Salt Lake City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Richard Dobson, PGI - The Event and Communications Agency; Joel Pyser, Marriott International; and Lynn Schwartz, COMMON.
Wireless and Beyond: Where Do We Go Now!
Sunday, November 9, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Wireless is here! What impact will wireless have on the hospitality industry? Learn about "hot spots" and why these are being heavily promoted. This session will explore the definition and use of wireless technologies in hospitality and discuss emerging standards, costs to deploy and security issues. Richard Jackson of the American Hotel & Lodging Association will moderate the panel which includes: Mark G. Haley, The Prism Partnership, LLC; Darrin Pinkham, Loews Hotels Orlando; Jeremy Rock, RockIT Group; Victor Vensnaver, V2 Consultants.
Ask the Experts
Monday, November 10, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This session will feature experts from AH&LA's Technology Committee fielding your questions about property management (PMS), e-distribution, telecommunications, wireless, CRM and multi-property/resort technologies. Anything goes in this free-form, highly interactive and entertaining session. Richard Siegel of Hospitality Upgrade Magazine will moderate this panel of experts.
IH/M&RS E-Offerings
Ihmrs.com, the official Show website, offers resources for both exhibitors and attendees. All exhibitor materials, including the IH/M&RS Marketing Manual, Set-Up Manual and Directory Copy Form are available online. Attendee benefits include online registration, an exhibitor search, and a scheduler which enables attendees to plan their time at the Show effectively.
Once Again, the IH/M&RS eBusiness Center will be available to Show participants. Located on Level 1, the eBusiness Center provides complimentary e-mail and Internet access.
The 88th Annual IH/M&RS will be held November 8-11, 2003, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The IH/M&RS presents approximately 1,800 exhibitors in five distinct markets: Décor, Technology, Restaurant, Flavors and Essentials. The Show draws 55,000 domestic and international hospitality professionals representing chain, franchise, resort, casino, independent and senior care properties, consultants, architects, designers, purchasing, management companies, restaurants, clubs, fast food, airline and cruise ships, bars, caterers, corporate dining, hospitals, schools, industry distributors, wholesalers and designers.
Show hours are 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., from Saturday, November 8, through Monday, November 10; and 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 11. IH/M&RS attendee registration is $25 until October 10, and $50 after October 10. Attendee information and registration is available online at www.ihmrs.com, or by calling GLM's Customer Service Department at (914) 421-3206. The website also features an exhibitor list, a schedule of market events and seminars and hotel and travel information.
The IH/M&RS is sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The Show is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM®). For IH/M&RS exhibitor information, contact Christian Falkenberg, show manager, at GLM, Ten Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954. Telephone (914) 421-3296. Fax (914) 948-6180. E-mail: Christian_falkenberg@glmshows.com.
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