M3 had the privilege of attending and exhibiting at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) from June 24th to 27th in Charlotte, NC. As the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology event, HITEC is where “hospitality meets innovation”, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of the industry. M3 has been a proud exhibitor for 13 consecutive years and is honored to be an HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsor.
Each year, our presence at HITEC allows us to showcase the #1 rated hotel accounting software solution in North America, M3 Accounting CoreTM, and to introduce hoteliers to M3’s entire suite of products. The event serves as an extraordinary opportunity for hoteliers to immerse themselves in the latest technological advancements. M3 was proud to also introduce, and showcase, the recently launched CoreSelectTM accounting offering. CoreSelectTM is M3’s latest proprietary product introduction and targets smaller portfolios and economy and select-service properties, giving those hoteliers an industry-specific alternative to off-the-shelf, generic packages. Attendees also benefited from live demos, conducted by our sales executives and sales engineers, providing an in-depth look at how M3’s technology increases revenue, generates efficiencies, and supports excellence for hoteliers.
Beyond hospitality software, HITEC attendees explored how various partnerships can enhance their current systems through seamless integration. M3 also showcased our Strategic Alliance channel. These M3 partners deliver integrated solutions to ensure hotel operational efficiency, drive savings, and generate non-traditional revenue for M3 customers. This technology-specific conference is useful for attendees to understand where certain companies complement one another and the value these integrations can deliver across vendors.
In addition to a variety of exhibitors, the conference featured numerous educational sessions. Topics ranged from success stories and best practices, AI in hospitality, and breakthrough business concepts at the “Entrepreneur 20X” session. These sessions, led by hospitality industry thought leaders, offered valuable insights into current technology deliverables as well as upcoming trends.
One of the key takeaways from our visit was attending the “Productivity Workshop: Mastering ChatGBT and Other AI Tools” hosted by Ira Vouk. A prevalent topic of discussion was whether AI would replace the human touch or simply streamline processes. This session explored various AI tools, emphasizing their role as aids rather than final solutions. While AI technology is user-friendly, it does have limitations in professional settings. Overall, this session was a masterclass that left attendees eager to delve deeper into the topics discussed and experiment with these platforms at home.
Networking is always on display at HITEC. The conference provided various meet-ups, such as the “Young Professionals Meet-up” and “Women in Hospitality Technology Reception.” These gatherings, along with the opening night reception and other conference-associated events, foster networking, allowing attendees and exhibitors to share experiences, knowledge, and questions, regardless of their career stage or background. For M3, these interactions were particularly exciting as they highlighted our brand recognition. A memorable moment for us was discovering that the M3 Accounting CoreTM solution is being used in many universities to train future hoteliers, underscoring the broad impact of our software. This educational experience is delivered through M3 University.
HITEC 2024 was a resounding success for M3, reinforcing our position at the forefront of hospitality technology. The event provided invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and showcasing our innovative solutions. We look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and collaboration in the years to come.