January 06, 2010 – Hospitality Upgrade, a leading technology magazine published for hotel, travel and foodservice professionals, plans to welcome the largest crowd ever for its sixth annual Executive Vendor Summit, April 12-14, 2010, despite the difficult economic times.

This year hosted at the Magnolia Hotel in Houston, Texas, the Executive Vendor Summit is an invitation-only event limited to presidents and C-level executives of technology vendors actively involved in the hospitality industry. The 2010 event is sponsored by Venza Group and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and expects a crowd of over 50 executives representing the industry’s major technology providers.

“This event has grown every year, and though it might seem strange since the attendees are presidents and CEOs of companies that provide technology to the industry and does not include any prospects to sell to, those who have attended always return. This industry is based on cooperation as much as competition so who you end up partnering with can be as important as who you sell to,” said Hospitality Upgrade President and Publisher Richard Siegel.

When past attendees were asked, “What would you say to your peers who have not attended the Executive Vendor Summit before?”, they said:

• “Profoundly useful interactions with C-level people across the hospitality technology industry. A must attend event!” – Ron Tarro, president, SDD
• “This is an annual event that I plan around. It is a great opportunity to meet with peers and build partnerships while learning a great deal about our industry.” – Tim Tiller, president, Multi-Systems, Inc.
• “One of the best events for industry insight and peer networking that I have attended.” – Ermis Sfakiyanudis, president and CEO, eTelemetry, Inc.
• “Anyone who did not come away with a better understanding of their business strategy – good or bad – simply was not paying attention.” – Bruce Bensetler, president, Data Plus Inc.
• “Terrific event – one of a kind – a time to learn from your peers, industry experts and have fun doing it.” – Jay Troutman, president, APTECH
• “A great place to meet your peers and develop long-term relationships that can benefit your company for years to come.” – Eugene Harris, president, GENARES Worldwide Reservations System
• “Great way to bond with other vendors on a social level, laying a foundation for business relationships. Casual environment to frankly raise challenges we all face.” – Robert Honeycutt, CEO, Market Metrix LLC
• “One of the most valuable events I have attended all year.” – Jonathan Clues, CEO, Realview TV

There is no charge to attend the Summit, but only one attendee is allowed per company. If you are a technology vendor to the hospitality industry and are interested in attending, please e-mail Kate O’Neil at kate@hospitalityupgrade.com or call (678) 802-5304.

The Executive Vendor Summit is an invitation-only event limited to presidents and C-level executives of technology vendors actively involved in the hospitality industry.  In an industry based on cooperation as much as competition, the Summit offers vendor executives a rare combination of networking, social events and educational programming. At other conferences and tradeshows, vendors are focused on selling products and services. At the Executive Vendor Summit, there are no prospects to sell to. Attendees are free to form critical relationships with their peers and discuss current challenges and issues in a relaxed environment. Titles of attendees include: president, owner, CEO, senior vice president and general manager .

C-level executives in attendance at the 2009 Executive Vendor Summit included: Accuvia; Adaco, Inc.; Agilysys; Alcatel-Lucent; AltiusPAR; APTECH; Cendyn; Cenium; Centrada Solutions; Data Plus Inc.; Datanamics; Datavision Technologies; DP & Associates Hospitality Technology Consulting, LLC; E Horner & Associates Pty Ltd; eTelemetry, Inc.; EZYield.com Inc.; Four Winds Interactive; GBCblue; GENARES Worldwide Reservations System; GuestWare; hyphen Information Systems Management; IDeaS, Inc.; innRoad, Inc.; Jon Inge & Associates; Jonas Software; Libra OnDemand; Market Metrix LLC; Megasys Hospitality Systems; Merchant Link; Metromedia Software; Microsoft; Miwa Lock Co Ltd; MTech; Multi-Systems Inc.; Munger & Associates; Northwind Canada Inc.; Passkey International, Inc.; Postec, Inc.; Realview TV; RedRock Software; ResortSuite; RockIT Group; Sabre Holdings, Inc./SynXis Corporation; SDD; SoftBrands; The Prism Partnership; Tiare Technology, Inc.; TravelCLICK, Inc; Warner Consulting Group; and ZDirect.

For more information on the Executive Vendor Summit, please contact Charlotte Somers at charlotte@hospitalityupgrade.com.

Established in 1992, Hospitality Upgrade is a leading technology magazine published for hotel, travel and foodservice professionals including management, independent operators, executives and chains. Published three times per year, Hospitality Upgrade educates hospitality professionals on the latest technology software and hardware solutions. Regular coverage focuses on new industry trends and products, in-depth analyses by leading hospitality consultants, insider news and gossip, interviews with top industry executives, and profiles from many of the industries’ solution providers. Specific topics include purchasing and maintenance of the following hospitality systems: point of sale, property management, back office, sales and marketing, Internet, in-room, restaurant management, central reservations, guest response, handheld/wireless technologies, executive information and more.

With more than 29,000 readers in 105 countries, Hospitality Upgrade is committed to shaping and defining the future of the hospitality technology industry. For more information or to sign up for a FREE subscription, go to http://www.hospitalityupgrade.com/_subscribe/subscribe.asp.

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About VENZA

VENZA is passionate about the development of technology and services that enable hotels to feel more secure concerning guest data breaches and human vulnerability. With decades of experience, VENZA has the knowledge and experience to empower hotels and their employees to tackle the dynamic cybercrime and guest security landscape.

Over 10,000 properties in over 100 countries look to the VENZA for tools, technology, and strategic security support. Founded in 2008, VENZA is a privately held company and headquartered in Roswell, GA. For more information, please call 770.685.6500 or visit www.VenzaGroup.com.