SAN ANTONIO, Texas, USA — June 19, 2026 — The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) 2026 welcomed more than 6,100 hospitality professionals to the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), HITEC once again demonstrated why it remains the world's largest and longest-running hospitality technology conference and exhibition. (HITEC 2026 in pictures).

"HITEC continues to be the premier gathering place for hospitality technology professionals worldwide," said Frank Wolfe, HFTP CEO. "The innovation, collaboration and knowledge-sharing demonstrated throughout this year's event highlights the industry's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences, improve operational efficiency and drive business growth."

Over four days, attendees from across the globe gathered to discover emerging technologies, engage with industry experts and explore innovative solutions shaping the future of hospitality. The event featured a sold-out exhibition floor spanning 85,000 net square feet and showcasing more than 400 exhibiting companies representing every major segment of hospitality technology, from AI and data analytics to property management systems, guest engagement platforms, payment technologies and cybersecurity solutions.

“It is so interesting to see the new up-and-coming technology, see new integration partners, and our customers and prospects. It’s the best of all the world coming together in one location,” commented exhibitor Katie Adgent, vice president of marketing for Reeco.

A new feature on the show floor was Workforce 20X: AI Innovation Lab hosted by HFTP’s AI Collective. This interactive learning experience was designed to be a supportive, judgment‑free space to learn about AI. Showcased were emerging AI tools, expert presentations and supporting information to offer a comprehensive view of how AI implementation reshapes daily workflows and drives operational efficiency.

The HITEC 2026 experience began on Monday with an extensive lineup of educational programming and a Headliner panel featuring hospitality leaders discussing the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry's future. Throughout the week, attendees participated in expert-led sessions examining the growing role of AI, automation, cloud-based technology, cybersecurity, revenue optimization, digital guest engagement, payments and data-driven decision-making across hospitality operations.

A highlight of the conference was Tuesday's Headliner presentation by award-winning keynote speaker, entrepreneur and author James Taylor. His presentation explored the intersection of human creativity and emerging technologies, providing practical strategies for fostering innovation, adapting to rapid technological change and leveraging artificial intelligence to build more agile organizations. Through real-world examples and research-backed insights, Taylor challenged attendees to rethink how hospitality organizations can embrace innovation while maintaining a human-centered approach to service.

The conference also showcased the next generation of hospitality innovation through the Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) startup pitch competition. A perennial HITEC favorite, E20X brought together emerging hospitality technology companies that presented groundbreaking concepts and solutions before a panel of judges and industry attendees. The competition once again demonstrated HITEC's commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and fostering the development of technologies that will shape the future of hospitality. Stayfull was the Judges’ Choice Winner, and Abra Hospitality was the People’s Choice Winner.

Also recognized this week were three individuals who have excelled in the industry: Bob Gilbert with the HFTP Award of Merit, Mary Gerdts with the Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame and Steven Gay with the CHTP of the Year.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the growing impact of artificial intelligence on hospitality operations and guest experiences. Across sessions, exhibits and industry discussions, attendees explored how AI-powered technologies are transforming guest communications, personalization, predictive analytics, revenue optimization and operational efficiency. The conversations reflected an industry increasingly focused on balancing technological advancement with exceptional hospitality.

HFTP extends its appreciation to the sponsors, partners and exhibitors whose support helped make HITEC 2026 possible. Through their investment in education, networking and innovation, these organizations contributed to an event experience that fostered meaningful connections and showcased the technologies shaping the future of hospitality.

As HITEC 2026 ends, attendees leave San Antonio with fresh perspectives, actionable strategies and new connections that will help drive innovation and success across the hospitality industry.

The next edition of HITEC North America will take place June 28–July 1, 2027, in Orlando, Florida, continuing the event's tradition of bringing together the brightest minds and most innovative technologies in hospitality. Also upcoming are HITEC Paris at EquipHotel Paris, November 2-5, 2026 and HITEC Tokyo at the Hospitality Tech EXPO, December 2-4, 2026.

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