HFTP News
June 2, 20176 min read

HFTP Announces Keynote Speakers and Opening Party for HITEC Toronto

World’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference adds four recognized innovators to education program

HFTP Announces Keynote Speakers and Opening Party for HITEC Toronto — Source: HFTP
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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producer of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has added four keynote speakers to this year's education program: Dave Berkus, super angel, author and entrepreneur; Alex Tapscott, CEO at Northwest Passage Ventures; Kevin Rosen, Esq. CIPP/US, partner at Shutts & Bowen, LLP; and Robert Villanueva, executive vice president at Q6 Cyber.

Opening Keynote and Party. On Monday, June 26, 2017, Dave Berkus will take the HITEC Toronto stage from 4:30—5:30 p.m. to discuss technology and its impact on the job market. Berkus is one of the nation's most prolific angel investors with over 137 early stage technology investments. He is the creator of BERKONOMICS.COM – weekly insights for entrepreneurs and investors. Berkus is an author and in-demand speaker at national and international events sharing stories and wisdom related to entrepreneurs, building boards of directors, trends in technology and valuing young corporate enterprises. Berkus is also an inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.

Following the Opening Keynote, HFTP will host the "A Night in Toronto" Opening Party from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Toronto Event Centre, Beach Paris (formerly Muzik Event Centre). Attendees will enjoy delicious snacks, drinks and music as they mingle and get ready for the busy week ahead. Additionally, the Opening Party will feature an emulator touch screen DJ, giant light bright, digital graffiti wall and surfboard simulator. Opening Party entry information is detailed on the HITEC Toronto website.

Tuesday Keynote. On Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Alex Tapscott will present from 8:30—10:00 a.m. to inform HITEC attendees about the blockchain revolution. Tapscott is a founding member at IMF's High Level Advisory Group on Fintech, as well as the co-author of the critically acclaimed best-seller "Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money Business and the World." Tapscott is focused on the impact of emerging technologies on business, society and government, and is a passionate advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Closing Keynote. On Thursday, June 29, 2017, Kevin Rosen, Esq. CIPP/US and Robert Villanueva will present from 2:15—3:15 p.m. on cybercrime. Rosen is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Taskforce at his current West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen, a full-service law firm with approximately 270 attorneys. He focuses his practice on cybersecurity, privacy, data security, securities regulation and financial regulation. He previously served as senior regional counsel and cybersecurity regulatory specialist at the Department of Enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Villanueva currently leads the Cyber Threat Intelligence Division of Q6 Cyber after spending 25-years working for the United States Secret Service, where he specialized in transnational cybercrimes, access device fraud, network intrusions and identity theft data breaches affecting the private sector.

This year's larger North American event HITEC Toronto will take place from June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. HITEC Dubai, the third and final HITEC of 2017, will take place from November 14-15 at the Conrad Dubai in Dubai, UAE in partnership with Naseba. In 2018, HFTP will bring back HITEC Amsterdam on April 11-14 in addition to HITEC Houston on June 26-29.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec/. Stay updated with HFTP and HITEC on social media for conference updates: HFTP Connect; HITEC Bytes; HFTP Club Bytes; HFTP Finance Bytes; HFTP News; Facebook; LinkedIn; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Flickr.

About HITEC

HITEC is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education, and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe to one place. The unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Combined with the intimate opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career.

Historically hosted annually in a different city throughout the United States, HFTP decided to break tradition in 2017 by hosting three HITEC events all taking place outside of U.S. borders– in Toronto, Amsterdam and Dubai. This will be the first time the global association's largest HITEC event – featuring thousands of hospitality professionals from around the world – will take place outside of the U.S. In 2017, HFTP is producing its larger HITEC Toronto as well as two additional, inaugural HITEC events: HITEC Amsterdam and HITEC Dubai.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. Download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has members and stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry. For more information about HFTP, email [email protected] or download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.

HFTP

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Phone: 1 (512) 249-5333
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