HITEC 2016 kicked off yesterday in the Big Easy! Thousands of exhibitors, speakers, and hospitality industry professionals converged on the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre to discover the latest in hospitality tech and listen to great insights from some of the industry’s leading thinkers.
Much of the day at HITEC 2016 was dedicated to boot camps and super sessions, covering everything from revenue management to sustainability to disaster recovery, but the event really got started with a keynote by Jer Thorp, the co-founder of the Office for Creative Research.
It's officially begun..
Datavision @DVTechBI #HITECnola getting ready for keynote speaker, Jer Thorp. pic.twitter.com/lyRVxFPCrE— Bonnie Wise (@BonSWise) June 20, 2016
We learned at HITEC 2016 that beauty and storytelling are the focus of Thorp’s work — more specifically, using stunning data visualizations to create a human narrative around vast quantities of raw information. Thorp has helped countless businesses use their data in quantifiable ways. How is this relevant to hoteliers? Data is key to building guest profiles and creating personalized experiences for their patrons.
Data doesn't get bigger… it's getter smaller. Farm it. #HITEC2016 #HITECnola @blprnt pic.twitter.com/YPtCojGj7O
— Helen McGrath (@helenmacg) June 20, 2016
Data is an artifact of a human life. Respect it. #HITECnola #HITEC2016
— Helen McGrath (@helenmacg) June 20, 2016
Question farming. The root of innovation is about asking a question you weren’t able to ask before. @blprnt #HITECnola #TWCBCxHITEC
— Spectrum Enterprise (@SpectrumEntUS) June 20, 2016
Crazy data visualizations by @blprnt #HITECnola pic.twitter.com/AAcNfbUMPA
— Josiah Mackenzie (@JosiahMackenzie) June 20, 2016
After Thorp’s keynote at HITEC 2016, it was time for the opening night party at Generations Hall, a former sugar refinery built in the 1820’s that offers a glimpse into a different era. While some experienced NOLA’s unique flavours and personalities first-hand, others took in authentic New Orleans-style jazz.
Avenue Pub in New Orleans is right up my craft beer bar power alley. Great list, strange characters, a modicum of grunge.
— Jer Thorp (@blprnt) June 21, 2016
#HITEC2016 our bus driver played his trombone while driving to opening party. #only Nola
— Steve D'Erasmo (@DErasmoSteve) June 20, 2016
Sound checks out real nice. Will we see you tonight at the House of Blues? #HITECnola pic.twitter.com/37W7ixQK62
— Enseo (@Enseo) June 20, 2016
Opening night reception @ #HITECnola #HITEC2016 @HFTP pic.twitter.com/S0efTiBbWR
— Shayne Rose (@ShayneRose) June 21, 2016
House of Blues #Enseo party! #HITEC2016 #HITECnola pic.twitter.com/dGb8Yn1xEm
— Karen Smith (@highwiremktg) June 21, 2016
@HFTP knows how to throw a party! @GenerationsNola #HITECnola pic.twitter.com/f0MKjEaHpc
— Marisa Pierron (@RisaPierron) June 21, 2016
Benbria is at HITEC 2016 too! Drop by the Mitel Pavilion (booth 1425) to meet our team and see a live demo of Loop.
#HITECnola officially opens its doors! Which speakers and events are on your agenda? Let us know! #hospitality #hoteltech
— Benbria (@Benbria) June 20, 2016
What was your favourite part of HITEC 2016’s opening day? Let us known on LinkedIn, Facebook, and on Twitter @Benbria.
