Hotel Technology Forum will commence on Monday morning with curated networking and engaging lunch-and-learn sessions, followed by afternoon social activities, and an evening reception. The program runs through the morning on Wednesday, November 20th. We recommend arriving on Sunday at your leisure and departing Wednesday afternoon.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Monday, November 18, 2024
9:30AM - 6:30PM
10:30AM - 11:40AM
Make the most out of your time at HTF with curated 1:1 networking. In this professionally moderated session, we'll help hotel executives with shared interest find each other, and introduce you to solutions you care about. HTF curates each participant's preferred topics and profiles to spark worthwhile one-on-one conversations. * Open to all hotel operators and select vendors. Pre-registration required.
11:45AM - 1:30PM
Join Santiago Garcia Solimei, Head of Social Media and Brands PR, Melia Hotels International, for a dynamic lunch and learn session on engaging and retaining customers through innovative social media tactics and a strong IT-Marketing partnership.Learn how to develop and implement social media strategies that resonate with your audience and understand the critical role of IT and Marketing collaboration in achieving customer success. Santiago will share expert advice and actionable tips to help you elevate your social media game and foster lasting customer relationships. Connect with industry professionals and enjoy a valuable learning experience over lunch.
When a cybersecurity breach occurs, swift and coordinated action is crucial. Join us for lunch and a dynamic tabletop exercise, led by the Retail and Hospitality ISAC, where participants will role-play as key members of the executive team and work through a simulated data breach. From immediate response actions to stakeholder communications, this session will challenge attendees to think critically, act decisively and will highlight the importance of cohesive strategies across departments in managing a cybersecurity crisis.
2:00PM - 3:30PM
Join our Guided Coastal Hike for a scenic journey along breathtaking coastal trails. Our expert naturalist will lead you to stunning viewpoints while sharing insights about local flora and fauna. You might even spot native species like the California Gnat Catcher or the Allen’s Hummingbird. Ideal for those who enjoy nature and want a relaxed networking opportunity.
Open to hotel operators and select sponsors. Space is limited and sign-up is available during event registration.
Prefer a more high-energy challenge? Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping experience with Archery Tag! This unique sport blends dodgeball and paintball with archery skills, set against the stunning backdrop of Terranea Beach Cove. Team up to compete right on the beach, aiming arrows at each other to score points or eliminate opponents—no prior archery experience required! Perfect for action lovers looking to connect through a thrilling game.
Open to hotel operators and select sponsors. Space is limited and sign-up is available during event registration.
5:00PM - 6:30PM
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
8:00AM - 8:50AM
8:00AM - 6:00PM
8:50AM - 9:00AM
9:00AM - 9:45AM
Business strategist, technology expert, and futurist Scott Steinberg leads an interactive keynote presentation that promises to reshape the way you deploy technology to tackle business opportunities. The bestselling author of Make Change Work For You brings the energy and insights he’s shared with organizations like IBM, PwC, and the US Department of Defense and media outlets like CNN and the Today Show to the Hotel Technology Forum stage — asking you to share your most pressing challenges and explore actionable solutions that drive bottom-line growth.
9:50AM - 10:15AM
Discover the transformative power of the metaverse! Industry experts will share their firsthand experiences and success stories. Learn how virtual environments are being employed to cut training costs, minimize food waste, foster customer loyalty, and enhance marketing efforts. Through moderated interviews, uncover practical examples and innovative approaches to integrating the metaverse into your business strategy.
![Skip Kimpel](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4199322-66a020456e94e.png)
10:15AM - 10:45AM
10:45AM - 11:10AM
Join industry leaders from Arlo Hotels and Melia Hotels as they share how they’ve turned social media into a powerful tool for customer loyalty and revenue growth. Arlo Hotels will present their If You Arlo app, which enables influencers to drive bookings and earn rewards. Melia Hotels will discuss their approach to managing social media interactions with automation and AI, ensuring timely and effective customer engagement. Learn practical tips and innovative strategies to enhance your social media presence and impact your bottom line.
![Jimmy Suh](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4199246-66a01ac01cd0e.png)
11:15AM - 11:45AM
Explore the future of hotel marketing with industry experts from Snapchat, Kantar Media, and a special guest panelist as they unveil the power of augmented reality (AR). This session will highlight key findings from a recent study on AR's role in travel, and will provide practical examples of how hotels can use AR to enhance guest engagement and drive revenue. Don't miss this session on how AR can help your hotel stand out in a crowded market and win over today's tech-savvy guests.
11:45AM - 12:15PM
Robert Marusi, Commercial Enterprise Director of Hotel del Coronado, shares his expertise on the impact of AI in creating tailored guest experiences and additional revenue. This session will highlight the role of AI in analyzing historical customer data to develop detailed guest profiles and personalized marketing strategies. Discover the importance of a seamless guest experience, the critical role of CRM systems, and key considerations for implementing AI effectively in your hotel operations.
![Robert Marusi](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4199224-66a0199ad66ac.png)
12:20PM - 1:40PM
1:40PM - 2:30PM
2:35PM - 3:10PM
Discover what hotels can learn from other industries to enhance their cybersecurity strategies. Join experts from retail, travel, and restaurant sectors as they discuss crucial lessons in cybersecurity. Topics include vendor vulnerabilities, ransomware, loyalty fraud, and guest data privacy.
3:10PM - 3:20PM
3:20PM - 3:45PM
3:45PM - 4:30PM
Get ready for an exhilarating session featuring the next generation of tech innovators! Our Startup Super Session brings together a handpicked selection of startups to present their cutting-edge products and services. Curated for their ingenuity and impact, these brands will showcase the most exciting new concepts in technology. This session is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay at the forefront of innovation.
![Shelly Rupel](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4236221-66b22789d16cc.png)
4:30PM - 5:15PM
Join us for our 19th annual Hotel Visionary Awards, where we celebrate outstanding achievements in hotel technology. Our newly expanded categories guarantee an exciting showcase of innovation and teamwork within the industry. Don’t miss the live announcement of the winners and the chance to be inspired by their stories!
5:15PM - 6:15PM
6:15PM - 8:30PM
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
8:00AM - 8:50AM
8:00AM - 10:30AM
8:50AM - 9:00AM
9:00AM - 9:45AM
We unveil data from Hospitality Technology's 2025 Lodging Technology Study, providing attendees with an exclusive snapshot of hotel operators’ tech implementations, strategic goals, and their evolving attitudes toward automation, self-service, generative AI, and more.
9:45AM - 10:30AM
In this engaging session, IT leaders share their experiences and strategies for securing board approval and funding for technology projects. Hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they face and the tactics they employ to successfully fund both essential and strategic IT initiatives.
![Max Spangler](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4199222-66a0196d082f8.png)