HITEC San Antonio Announces Best Selling Socialnomics Author Erik Qualman as Opening Keynote

Digital leadership speaker and author Erik Qualman will initiate a technology-focused week as the Opening Keynote speaker for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) in San Antonio, Texas USA. Qualman has performed in over 50 countries and reached 25 million people this decade. He will present his observations on digital trends and transformation to the 6,000 plus attendees expected at the 2020 event, which offers a high-quality education program and exhibition focusing on the latest in hospitality technology.

Qualman's Socialnomics work has been featured on well-known media channels such as 60 Minutes and the Wall Street Journal and used by large organizations such as the National Guard and NASA. His book What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube helped Qualman be listed by Forbes and Fortune as a Top 100 Digital Influencer. His business books are used in over 200 universities. Qualman's HITEC presentation will be in the afternoon on Monday, June 15. Watch Qualman preview his HITEC San Antonio speech.

"HITEC attendees come to the event focused on their particular list of issues and services they need to resolve and investigate, often not taking the opportunity to step back and look at the broad impacts of our digital world and how to navigate through it," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. "This is where I think Erik will have a positive influence on our attendees. He will narrate ways to harness digital tools to transform our businesses as leaders in the digital landscape."

HITEC San Antonio, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will be the second, and largest, HITEC event of 2020. The four-day education program is planned by the HITEC San Antonio Advisory Council, a group of industry practitioners and experts. The council is chaired by Justin Taillon, Ph.D., professor and department head at Highline College. The council's vice chair is Barry Thomas, CHTP, senior corporate director — property technology for Rosewood Hotel Group.

In addition to the education program, HITEC San Antonio will feature an exhibit hall hosting over 350 companies. The companies display a range of products and services to support the hospitality technology industry.

Also in 2020, HFTP in cooperation with HTNG, will produce HITEC Europe taking place from April 21-23 at the Palau de Congressos Centre in Palma, Mallorca, Spain.

HFTP has already scheduled the future dates and locations for HITEC North America. In 2021, it will be held in Dallas Texas, USA on June 21-24. In 2022, it will be held in Orlando, Florida USA on June 27-30.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other international activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec.

About HITEC

Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC®) is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC offers a combination of top-notch education and exhibits, bringing together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe to 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. Combined with the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career. Details and registration are available at www.hitec.org.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with an offices in the EU. HFTP is recognized as a group supporting the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Hotel-Online and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org.