The Opening Party for the 2022 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) lived up to its billing, receiving an incredible turnout at SeaWorld Orlando to kick off this year's annual conference. However, with the growing attendance, the financial structure of the charitable purpose has been compressed, creating a continued need for contributions to important causes.

Presented by VENZA and CyberTek MSSP with additional support from our “Blue Whale” sponsor Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HTFP), the July 27, 2022 event drew over 1,800 attendees, a record number that significantly exceeded the expectations of organizers.

While exciting and much appreciated, the huge turnout placed pressure on the fixed-level financial sponsorship model of the event. Due to marginal costs of additional attendees, the overall net philanthropic revenue generated fell short of the planned goal of $15,000. In comparison, VENZA, along with the Louisville Chapter of HTFP, hosted a 2018 charity event that raised over $14,000 for scholarships. At a national event like HITEC®, with over 6,000 participants, the impact should be much larger. Imagine: a single $10 donation from each attendee could produce a truly transformative result.

To date, we have raised approximately $2,000 and are reaching out to the attendee base to continue the contribution efforts. As such charitable events and the corresponding costs of hosting grow, it is more important than ever that the hospitality industry comes together to chip in and financially support important causes.

With that said, the window for donations remains open! Gifts of any amount can be provided easily through VENZA’s Hospitality Scholarship Fund portal.

As a reminder, proceeds will be directed to three hospitality education-focused organizations:

Rosen College of Hospitality Management — Situated in the heart of hospitality, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management provides students with an unrivaled opportunity to learn and work in the industry’s leading market.

Valencia College — The Hospitality and Tourism Management Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares students to go directly into a specialized career within the hospitality industry.

HFTP Foundation — As the philanthropic arm of HFTP®, the Foundation assists HFTP to secure nonprofit funding for hospitality and travel industry-related research, educational projects and scholarships.

VENZA has sponsored charity events for 14 years, donating to a wide variety of causes. “The importance of supporting the next generation of hospitality delegates is vital,” said VENZA & CyberTek President Josh Bergen, CHAE, CHTP, reflecting on this year’s designation of funds to scholarship programs. “We want to turn the current hospitality staffing trend into #TheGreatStay, not #The Great Resignation.” VENZA plans to sponsor additional charity fundraising events in the coming years for various causes.

Additional sponsors of the Opening Party included:

·      Percipia

·      TraknProtect

·      Inn Flow

·      Vocera

·      CallTek

·      Paymerang

·      Sertifi

·      Crave Interactive

·      Hireology

·      Knowcross

·      TrackMyShuttle

We would like to thank HFTP® and all our sponsors for making the event possible and such an outstanding success. VENZA and CyberTek look forward to seeing all the HITEC participants in Toronto next June. Please come by and see us in booth #1613!

Gifts of any amount can be provided easily through VENZA’s Hospitality Scholarship Fund portal.