As the 2026 tradeshow season begins, hotel leaders are evaluating technology in an environment shaped by ongoing labor constraints, rising guest expectations, and an intensified focus on operational efficiency. While innovation continues to accelerate across the hospitality technology landscape, the most meaningful progress will be driven not by novelty but by how effectively technology supports the people who power hotel operations.
Personalization is the standard guests expect at every touchpoint. Mark Haley and Mark Hoare illustrate why these platforms work best as partners, not substitutes. The result is a modern architecture that enables real-time recognition and stronger loyalty outcomes.
Canary Technologies is modernizing the hotel tech stack, with the first mobile web end-to-end Guest Management System, digitizing everything from post-booking through checkout. Trusted by thousands of hotels in more than 65 countries, Canary’s solutions help hotels eliminate paper processes, boost revenue with upsells, raise staff efficiency, ensure PCI compliance, improve the guest experience, and reduce chargebacks and payment fraud. Find out more here.
Virdee provides an all-in-one guest experience. With web, app, and kiosk solutions, Virdee addresses 100% of guests, accompanying them throughout their journey, from pre-arrival communications to contactless check-in/out and access to upsells. Virdee eliminates long check-in lines and enables straight-to-room. Room-Ready notifications let guests check-in early by providing a mobile key or key card once the room is ready without requiring a visit to the front desk. Find out more here.
ABOUT US: HOSPITALITY UPGRADE is the media division of HFTP, serving hotel, travel and foodservice technology professionals. Each publication educates professionals on the latest hospitality technology software and hardware news, trends and solutions. The views and opinions of our writers are not necessarily the views of HFTP.
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