Day two of HITEC 2016 dawned in beautiful, sunny New Orleans. After an evening of jazz at Generations Hall and delicious southern cuisine, conference-goers returned to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre yesterday morning to visit exhibitors, attend educational super sessions, and listen to keynotes by industry thought leaders.
#HITEC2016 #HITECnola #Nola #HFTP #Welcome to #NewOrleans #Hospitality ❤️#Tech #Enjoy ???? pic.twitter.com/FmZ3BR3MYv
— ⚜️Contempra INN⚜️ BOOK DIRECT FOR BEST RATE ⚜️ (@ContempraINN) June 22, 2016
It's shaping up to be a brilliant conference! #hitec2016 #hitecnola #hotels #bookdirect #neworleans #nola pic.twitter.com/eGn16vKjUX
— Avvio (@AvvioDirect) June 21, 2016
At HITEC 2016, Josh Linkner, an entrepreneur, speaker, and author whose work has appeared in Forbes, The Harvard Business Review, and The New York Times, delivered a well-received keynote speech about the need to always innovate in a highly competitive market. He outlined five things hoteliers can do to continue pushing creative boundaries:
- Be curious;
- Crave what’s next;
- Defy tradition;
- Get scrappy; and
- Adapt fast.
The worst thing hotels can do, he said, is to stick to the status quo while their competitors push boundaries and adapt to changing times. Hoteliers must think like entrepreneurs — even when they’re not.
Great to be in #NOLA The original #jazz capital of the US pic.twitter.com/hU50DhxliL
— Josh Linkner (@joshlinkner) June 21, 2016
Good morning #NOLA – gearing up to speak at @HFTP on #innovation #hitecnola
— Josh Linkner (@joshlinkner) June 21, 2016
Today: @joshlinkner on stage for #HITECnola #HITEC2016 @HFTP (photo cred. @aleguzman) pic.twitter.com/7MVOaULkAF
— The Speaker Experts (@Speaker_Experts) June 22, 2016
@joshlinkner takes the stage at #HITECnola. Hoteliers: look for every day #innovation, ask "is there a better way?" pic.twitter.com/SGqUY8syBW
— Debbie Iannaci (@debbieiannaci) June 21, 2016
@joshlinkner great talk today at #HITECnola ! I accept your 7 day challenge!
— Matt Black (@mattblack76) June 21, 2016
Most of the action took place on the exhibition floor, where attendees mingled with hospitality media, innovators, and hotel tech providers.
So much innovative technology at #HITECnola! What's the coolest thing you've seen?
— Hospitality Upgrade (@HospUpgrade) June 21, 2016
Tnooz is at #HITECnola and having a blast meeting our partners and other industry game-changers. DM us or say hi! #hitec2016
— tnooz (@tnooz) June 21, 2016
#HITECnola has a scavenger hunt that should not be missed! Participate to win awesome prizes. pic.twitter.com/9SEHl4iVL0
— HFTP/HITEC (@HFTP) June 21, 2016
And of course, at HITEC 2016, many others took advantage of all the sights, sounds, and tastes the Big Easy has to offer!
Only in #nola can you enjoy brunch, bluesy jazz, and beignets on a Tuesday #hitecnola #nolalove… https://t.co/Kj1WdPRVWt
— Greg Bodenair (@gregbodenair) June 21, 2016
Wow, awesome first day at #HITECnola. Now off to bourbon street!! ???? @Da_Paradise
— Marisa Pierron (@RisaPierron) June 22, 2016
@DCIDesign Great time @Houseof_Blues last night. Epic party. #HITECnola #HITEC2016 #wifinola @CowboyMouth pic.twitter.com/ebGA6KaugX
— Eric Albert (@broadband_eric) June 22, 2016
Don’t forget to drop by the Mitel Pavilion (booth #1425) to see a live demo of Loop! We’re on the exhibition floor for the full four days of the conference.
Drop by the @Mitel booth (1425) to learn how #Loop can help you out with #mobile guest engagement! #HITECnola #hoteltech
— Benbria (@Benbria) June 21, 2016
What did you discover at HITEC 2016 yesterday? Let us know on LinkedIn, Facebook, or on Twitter @Benbria.