Technology has taken event planning to the next level. Within the past five years digital administration and mobile engagement are considered to be the two primary causes for change in the events industry. In an article written for Sonburst Communication it states "Digital administration is now key when planning a new meeting. For large events, it's not enough to just sell a ticket online, print them an agenda, and check IDs at the door". Attendees now fall into different categories that may require different forms of check-ins for example someone on the VIP list may receive a gift bag and private cocktail party or someone with special dietary needs once checked in the system notifies the catering term of their confirmed arrival. Digital administration has made it easier for event planners to manage these different kinds of request quickly and on a digital platform. The digital platform is generally tailored for each event before the event. Everything in pre-loaded to the system for example, registration, BEO, event time line, seating chart and set-up and break-down. "If you are not utilizing the smart phone every attendee has in their pocket at your event, you are missing out on a great opportunity and even neglecting attendee expectations." Today's generation is expecting to have the event information available to them at their finger tip. Mobile engagement allows event planners to give them just that weather through email, website, or event app. This also allows event planners to notify guests of any last-minute changes. For example, a change in event time line. Everyone is going digital and most people send more than half the time while at an event on their phones so why not make this information available to them.

Hotels are constantly trying to find ways to make their guests safer. In an article written for Hospitalitynet Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel upgraded their guestroom security by adding advanced RFID solutions. This hotel is located in the Rogers Center which is home to the Toronto Blue Jays which sees a lot of high-profile guests. "By upgrading its previous ASSA ABLOY Hospitality-based room access platform to include VingCard Classic RFID door locks along with the Visionline locking solution, the property ensures against the latest security threats while offering state of the art convenience". By adding this technology, the hotel gains "a contactless solution that provides the latest in anti-cloning technology". This technology has proven itself as the future technology for hoteliers. The online-based security access platform allows guests to be re-assigned to different guestrooms or extend their stay without going to the front desk. The visionline feature also allows guests to use their same keycard at different area in the hotel. This reduces cost as it eliminates the need for multiple keycards. The VingCard Classic RFID door locks along with the Visionline locking solution sets the bar for guest security and increase the guest experience.

In this week's lecture we learned that hospitality accounting is really no different than business accounting. This particular article is not specific to the hospitality industry; however, it provides insight on how new technology is shaping accounting which will also shape hospitality accounting. In this article written for Forbes it discusses the important role technology has played in accounting and bookkeeping. "Today's technological advances have surpassed the thought of outdated financials, lack of real-time data, remote control sessions, and even basic desktop-based software". Meaning what once took up hundreds of filing cabinets and boxes and usually hard to access and now at your finger tip. Xero's is one of the newest accounting software. This software changes the way business to business consultation are handled. They software eliminates the need for constant face to face meeting as "it allows for bank feeds to become integrated in real time so that bookkeepers and client can view, edit and add notes to statements as they please". Not only has technology changed the way your books are kept, but also how payroll is done. Software like Gusto has changed the traditional payroll into full-service payroll options available online. "This automated feature instantly saves the small business owner from the hassles that come with payroll complexities and other compliance matters."

The Hotel industry has been trying to move away from Global Distribution Systems (GDS), because of the high cost associated with them; however, travel agents more than ever are turning to the global distribution system for their hotel and travel bookings. In a recent article written for Travel Technology & Solution they discussed why GDS is important to the travel industry. Educating the reading on what GDS is and how it works, the importance of GDS to travel agents and the future of GDS. According to tts.com "GDS is a network/platform that enables travel agencies and their clients to access travel data, shop for and compare reservations options, and book travel. This allows for the travel agent to provide the best option at the best price to their clients. Travel agents are in favor of this system as what once took hours to complete can now be done in minutes. An agent has the ability to receive messages through the system alerting them of special rates, fares and travel packages which in turned are passed on to their clients. "Not only is messaging through GDSs effective in promoting travel savings to clients, GDS providers are becoming fundamental to the supply of travel products to retailers in the online channel." With a large percentage of people still turning to travel agents to book their travels GDSs might be here to stay. Over the past four years the use of the Global Distribution System has increased, "yet some industry observers suggest that GDSs may become nearly obsolete by 2020".

A Property Management System (PMS) is essentially a company's accounting system. In an article written by Preno a Property Management System company they talked about the importance of a Property Management System in the Hotel industry. The right property management system plays a key role in the success of a hotel. The right PMS is not only good from an accounting stand point, but also for building the guest experience. The article covered 5 benefits of having the right PMS in your hotel. First, guest's first impression Preno states "having a system that makes front desk workflows easy, will create a seamless guest experience". How frustrating would it be to finally getting to your hotel after hours of traveling only to have the person at the front desk unable to find your reservation in their system? This would definitely paint a bad picture for the guest; however, it would be a much better feeling if upon your arrival your information is already printed and your guest preferences are already noted and your room keys already printed. Secondly, streamlined check-in and check-out. This is important because the hotel industry has made the process so easy by making applications available for your phone or ipads in the rooms or hotel lobby. Third, clear communication. "Having clear lines of communication between all departments of your property and with the guest is integral to a successful accommodation." This is very important especially between house keeping and front desk. Having an effective PMS allows house keeping to clearly communicate what rooms are clean and available for check-in and upon check-out the front desk is able to change that room status allowing house keeping to see the room is ready to be clean. This also work well for room service and room repairs. Fourth, and one of the most important is no double booking. With clear communication from each department the system will be constantly updating, this saves the hotel time and decrease or eli

Sam Colt wrote an article for Business Insider titled Tablets Are Making Waiters Obsolete - An Chilli's Is Leading The Way. This article bothered me a bit, because knowing what I know about Hospitality we build our brand around customer service and customer satisfaction and how can we do that if we are eliminating the person to person interaction. In his article Colt mentioned Chili's "has recently introduced tablets in dining rooms nationwide that customers can use to place orders, browse the menu, and entertain otherwise noisy children". I understand the thought behind keeping your guests entertain while they wait for service; however, I believe it should be just that, entertainment not self-service. Dine in restaurants should not be treated like a fast food restaurant and guests should expect a reasonable wait time. Having that person to person interaction makes a dining experience more enjoyable. E la Carte co-founder and CEO Rajat Suri argued "if someone does not want to spend time with a server, they're going to ignore the server anyways." My thoughts are why would you dine in a restaurant if you do not want to be severed, why not go to a fast food restaurant. Chili's states the tablets are solely for increasing customer satisfaction and increase revenue and suggests the tablets are making the life of waiters better.

I believe it is important for hotel brands to evolve with the people who are staying there. Nothing beats being at home; however, it is pretty awesome when you are staying away from home and do not feel as if you are missing out. This article covers just that, making a bold statement with their title; "High Tech and High Class: How Luxury Hotels are Embracing Technology". Modern hotels are on " a deeper level of connectivity than a simple iPod doc, or a reliable Internet connect". Many are using state of the art devices and software which allows their guests to control from the lighting in the room to even housekeeping. The article also talks about Shane Krige, General Manager of the Plaza in New York City. He purchased a few iPads for the hotel lobby for his guests to play with. The feedback led to the hotel putting an iPad in every room at the Plaza. The Star Hotel & Casino in Sydney Harbour now offers a Control4 systems which gives guests a touch screen control for the TV, lighting and temperature and even music. Even better than the touch screen control the suites all feature "a button labeled "Leaving Room" by the entry door that automatically places the suite in an energy-saving mode: With a single touch, it closes blinds, turns off lights and dials back air conditioners for energy savings. Should you forget to press this on your way out, after 30 minutes the system will sense there is no one and trigger the button automatically. Upon return your room will greet you by opening curtains, turning on the lights and displaying a welcome message". Greener might be more expensive; however, it pays for itself and saves the hotel money in the long run.

In today's world we are surrounded by technology; however, sometimes we do not realize the extreme of which we are surrounded by until we stop and look around. The Hospitality industry is quickly adapting to the technologically world we live it. I read an article written by Jeff Robinson, Technical Director for Aurecon titled "Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends". This article was beyond interesting because it touched on some on the way technology has already changed the hospitality industry and ways it will be changing it for the future. Robinson tells us in his article that "some of the trends in industry are leading to great improvements and savings for hospitality industry companies; while some are changing how hotel developers plan their buildings, infrastructure, management structure and staffing requirements". This means its not only about the bottom dollar, but the experience of each guest when they stay at the hotel. Robinson also states the obvious fact that travelers these days do not see Wi-Fi as a perk, but more of a must have. Full access to audio-visual is also on the must have list especially for business meetings and conferences. What I found most interesting from Robinson's article was the introduction of the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This technology give you the ability to share information from a short-range frequency wireless communication. This technology is also ideal for self check-ins by guests at hotels as well as smart room keys.(Robinson) Hotel room keys have come a long way. From an actual key, key card in which you insert, to a key card you simply pass close to the reader and now the birth of the smart key. "Smart room access system allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door.". (Robinson) Now how awesome is that. Robinson also talks about other new technology just as the future of hotel in room entertainment, hotels offering