AUSTIN, TX-January 14, 1998-Over 4,000 hospitality and technology professionals from around the world will converge in Los Angeles June 16-18, at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTPsm).

Last year's conference in Baltimore hosted a record-breaking 3,700 attendees representing 47 states and 40 countries. It featured outstanding educational opportunities, colorful receptions, and 411 booths. Participation in the conference has increased significantly over the past few years. The number of exhibits has increased from 252 in 1993 to 411 in 1997. Attendance has doubled since 1993-from 1,825 to 3,706. This year, HITEC® will continue its record-breaking tradition with over 4,000 attendees and 425 booths expected. More than 82 percent of the exhibit space has already been sold for the 1998 conference.

The exposition showcases the latest in technology for hotels, restaurants, private clubs, casinos, and resorts. Thirty educational sessions, three pre-conference workshops, and the half-day Executive Briefing (formerly Senior Executives Technology Boot Camp) demonstrate practical and innovative technology applications for hospitality professionals.

In addition to four general sessions that examine the latest trends in the hospitality industry, HITEC® offers concurrent sessions built around five themed areas: Productivity, Marketing, Guest Services, Special Interest, and Club Technology. These 23 sessions, including two Casino sessions on Tuesday, cover the spectrum of the hospitality industry.

HITEC® attendees include Presidents, Owners, General Managers, CIOs, MIS Managers, CFOs, VPs of Finance, Operations and Information Services, Front Office and Reservations Managers, Sales and Marketing Managers, and Food and Beverage Managers. HITEC® offers attendees three days of learning about and experiencing "hands-on" all the benefits technology has to offer. They have the opportunity to gather new ideas and find ways to increase their operating efficiency at the most comprehensive showcase of hospitality technology in the world. Live demonstrations of the latest in hospitality technology equipment, products, and services available allow them to compare cost and quality.

Complete conference information will be available in early-February by mail and on the world wide web at www.hitecshow.org and www.hftp.org. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact the HITEC® Exposition Department at 800/448-3239 or 512/249-5333.

HITEC® is produced by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and MIS personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 3,800 members around the world. In addition to producing the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations.HFTP was founded in 1953 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants.

CORPORATE LEVEL SALES & MARKETING PROFESSIONALS TALK TECHNOLOGY AT 26TH ANNUAL HITEC®

AUSTIN, TX-January 27, 1998-The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) is proud to feature a distinguished panel of corporate-level sales and marketing professionals at the conference to be held June 16-18 in Los Angeles. The general session, "Corporate Level Sales & Marketing Professionals Talk Technology," is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 8:00 a.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The panel will provide first-hand accounts of the technology-based systems that are having the greatest impact on their operations, and share an insider's look at the systems they are considering. They will examine how these particular systems will affect the hospitality industry worldwide.

The panel includes:

 Tim Coleman is vice president of distribution for Westin Hotels & Resorts. He is responsible for central reservations, worldwide hotel reservations, global distribution systems, emerging electronic distribution channels, revenue management, and loyalty marketing.

 Salvatore "Sal" Dickenson is the vice president of marketing and sales for South Sea Resorts (SSR). Appointed to this newly created position in 1994, he is responsible for directing the strategic development of all marketing programs for SSR and its nine properties.

 Bob Gilbert, CHAE, CHA, is executive vice president and CEO of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. HSMAI is dedicated to enhancing sales and marketing management skills in the travel and hospitality industry through education and networking.

 Mike Pusateri is vice president of interactive sales and marketing for Marriott International. His responsibilities include Marriott's internet and intranet strategies and consumer website, as well as alliance activities with technology marketing companies and global distribution systems.

 Bruce Rosenberg is vice president-marketing distribution for Hilton Hotels Corp. In this newly-created position, he oversees travel agency marketing and Hilton's global distribution systems. He also guides Hilton's efforts into new distribution channels appropriate for strategic segments.

PRESIDENT OF AOL STUDIOS TED LEONSIS IS FEATURED SPEAKER

AT 26TH ANNUAL HITEC®

AUSTIN, TX-January 27, 1998-HITEC, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference, is proud to feature Ted Leonsis as a featured speaker of the conference, held June 16-18 in Los Angeles. His general session, "Who Needs America Online," is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, at 8:00 a.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Using America Online as a case study, Leonsis, president and CEO of AOL Studios, examines how to successfully create an electronic marketplace. He'll look at branding, developing content, maintaining visibility, and more.

Leonsis is a well-known entrepreneur and new media industries pioneer. Formerly president of America Online Services and current president and CEO of AOL studios, he was responsible for content, marketing, corporate development, and new media opportunities for the America Online brand. He also oversaw interactive programming, ad sales, transactions, and product marketing for both AOL and Global Network Navigator (GNN), America Online's internet only service.

During his career, Leonsis founded and launched six personal computer magazines, the world's first all-digital multi-media service, called Interactive Information Networks, and En Passant, a digital CD-ROM shopping program which has now spawned a new, stand-alone company. He has written three books, including Blue Magic, an insider's view of the launch of the IBM PC.

Complete conference attendee information will be available in mid-February by mail and on the world wide web at www.hitecshow.org and www.hftp.org. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact the HITEC Exposition Department at 800/448-3239 or 512/249-5333.

HITEC® UPDATE

The premier hands-on technology conference and exposition

AUSTIN, TX-January 27, 1998-The schedule has been determined for the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) in Los Angeles June 16-18, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

HITEC, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTPsm), is expecting more than 4,000 attendees and 425 booths. More than 92 percent of the exhibit space has already been reserved for the 1998 conference.

The exposition showcases the latest in technology for hotels, restaurants, private clubs, casinos, and resorts. Exhibit show hours for the 26th Annual HITEC are as follows:

June 16 12:30 - 6:00 p.m.

June 17 1:00 - 6:30 p.m.

June 18 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The three-day conference will offer over 28 educational opportunities in addition to the exposition—ranging from 20 concurrent sessions and three pre-conference workshops to a half-day Executive Briefing (formerly Senior Executives Technology Boot Camp) geared to non-technical senior management-level executives in hospitality organizations.

The education schedule is as follows:

Monday, June 15

8:00 AM - Noon CHTP Review Session

CHAE Review Session

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Managing Computers in the Hospitality Industry

Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry

Multi-Media Training for the Hospitality Industry

1:00 - 5:00 PM Executive Briefing

1:00 - 5:30 PM CHAE/CHTP Exams

Tuesday, June 16

8:00 - 9:45 AM Welcome to Los Angeles, Opening Session: The Pros and Cons of the Technology Explosion

10:00 - 11:15 AM Concurrent Sessions

Technology-Enabled Selling

Y2K—A Potential Timebomb

Managing Up So You're Not Let Down

Retail POS Systems

Gambling on the Internet

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Concurrent Sessions:

Taming the Data Tiger

The RFP

Critiquing a Web Site

Facilities Technology

Information Technology Used in the Audit Process

2:00 - 3:30 PM What to Look for . . . Sessions

3:45 - 5:15 PM What to Look for . . . Sessions

6:30 - 8:30 PM Welcome Reception

Wednesday, June 17

8:00 - 9:30 AM General Session: Corporate Level Sales & Marketing Professionals Talk Technology

9:45 - 11:00 AM Concurrent Sessions:

Revenue Management

The Layman's Approach to Managing Technology

Business Applications on the Internet

The Business of Telecom

Resort/Club Leisure Management Systems

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM Awards Luncheon

Thursday, June 18

8:00 - 9:15 AM General Session: Who Needs America Online?

9:30 - 10:45 AM Concurrent Sessions:

GDS/CRS

On-Line Legal Issues

The Network

Emerging Technologies

Proving Your Club with a Competitive Advantage

HITEC attendees include presidents; owners; general managers; CIOs; MIS managers; CFOs; vps of finance, operations and information services; front office and reservations; sales and marketing; and food and beverage managers. HITEC offers attendees three days of learning about and experiencing "hands-on" all the benefits technology has to offer. Attendees have the opportunity to gather new ideas and find ways to increase their operating efficiency at the most comprehensive showcase of hospitality technology in the world. Live demonstrations of the latest in hospitality technology equipment, products, and services available allow them to compare cost and quality.

Complete conference information will be available by mail in mid-February and on the world wide web at www.hitecshow.org and www.hftp.org. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact the HITEC Exposition Department at 800/448-3239 or 512/249-5333.

HITEC®, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTPsm), is the most comprehensive meeting of its kind in the hospitality industry. It addresses the use of technology in the industry and brings together buyers and sellers of technology under one roof. More than 4,000 hospitality executives and exhibitors from around the world attend this three-day conference and exposition. In addition to hearing the industry's leading speakers, attendees receive practical information at "nuts-and-bolts" training sessions. The 400-plus booth exposition includes companies providing technical services and products in the hospitality industry.

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and MIS personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 3,800 members around the world. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1953 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants.

Charlotte Franta
+1 512 249-5333
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTPsm).