WHITE PLAINS, NY The number of technology-based exhibitors at the International Hotel/Motel Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) will increase by 30% this year, according to George Little Management, which operates the show.
The increase means that 225 technology providers will show their wares at the event, which takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York from November 11-14. One hundred seventy-four exhibited last year.
Technology has become an increasingly marked presence at the show; in 1999 George Little reported that exhibitors in that category had increased by 20% over 1998.
Christian Falkenberg, show manager for the IH/M&RS, noted that three areas of technology are showing the greatest growth in terms of exhibitors: E-procurement, on-line reservation services, and Internet and broadband access.
Six technology-focused seminars will be presented during the hotel show, including panels on in-room Internet access, the foodservice industry Internet procurement, E-commerce and back-of-the-house technology, E-commerce and the culinary industry, GDS and CRS. A keynote address on Designing the Hotel Room of the Future will also be given by Frank Wolfe of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP).
Last year s show drew 1,870 exhibitors and 27,500 attendees.
Information on the show is available at www.ihmrs.com. (8/22/00)