Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce that Michael Levie, CHTP and Prakash Shukla will be inducted into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECSM) in New Orleans, La. next month. The induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in Great Hall A immediately before the keynote session that day.

Levie and Shukla were nominated and selected by their peers for being innovators and leaders in the hospitality industry. Hall of Fame inductees are known as representing the best in innovation and application and as leaders in their profession.

Michael Levie, CHTP is an executive at citizenM, of which he was a founding partner, and is a director on the HFTP Global Board. Levie's unwavering passion for the hospitality industry began at the early age of 12 years old after attending a Sonesta hotel opening in Amsterdam, Netherlands. After completing his education, Levie spent 18 years working for Sonesta inhabiting a variety of roles and working at locations across the globe. Levie's years working for Sonesta provided him the knowledge and experience to streamline every aspect of the hotel industry. He focused on improving guest experience, and technology was the medium that allowed for this revolutionary overhaul to occur. Today, Levie's citizenM hotels, with seven hotels open and 14 in development, are truly revolutionizing the way technology is used in the hospitality industry.

"HFTP brings together a unique, professional and focused group of individuals and organizations that share hospitality, finance and technology as their core," said Levie. "Being active amongst them has provided me the possibility to represent an international view, share experiences and learn. Being recognized by my peers is a truly humbling experience and encourages me to step up my game to enlarge my contribution in the future. Our industry is dealing with some large issues, HFTP is well positioned to support and lead towards solutions."

For over 25 years, Prakash Shukla has been one of the most influential and inventive minds in IT. In his early career, he served as senior vice president and chief information officer for the Taj Hotel Group, where he was tasked with overseeing and applying technology services into the entire guest experience. This role suited his skills perfectly and the Taj Hotel Group quickly became one of India's most technologically advanced. Now he has shifted his career to help promote technology innovation. As a managing partner for Solarex, LLC, he manages a $45 million seed fund for early stage tech startups. Previously, as a partner at HGM Asset Management, MangoTree and other investments, Prakash helped execute over $1.7 billion in mergers and acquisitions. He also promoted a $300 million growth capital vehicle in partnership with the Tata Group. He has promoted and invested in many innovative companies such as Travelguru, Transerv, Speech and Software Technologies, avanaMD, and Ginger Hotels.

"It is truly an honor to be associated with such accomplished professionals and a great organization," said Shukla. "I have learned so much from HFTP and its ecosystem. No organization has done more for an industry than HFTP for hospitality. It is truly an exciting time as HFTP expands into Europe and Asia."

Additionally, Shukla is the current vice chair for the HITEC 2016 Advisory Council, and has been a key advisor in HFTP's start-up pitch competition Entrepreneur 20X. He has also helped HFTP develop its upcoming India CIO Forum set for September 2016. Shukla also served as a director of HFTP Global board from 2012-2015.

Since 1989, 40 individuals have received this award as a reflection of their contributions to the hospitality industry. Learn more about the other Hall of Fame inductees.

HITEC 2016 is June 20–23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. USA. For the latest news, follow HFTP/HITEC on HITEC Bytes, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], +1 (512) 249-5333.

About HITEC

HITEC is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education, and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technology from over 375 companies to one place. HITEC 2016 will take place June 20-23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. USA. The unparalleled expo offers 5,500 + attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Combined with the intimate opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has over 5,200 members and several thousand stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITECSM and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality. For more information about HFTP, e-mail [email protected].

Jessica Blankenship
Public Relations Manager
HFTP