AAHOA’s Tech Pitch Competition showcases emerging hospitality solutions
By Nick Fortuna
Only one company can be crowned the winner of the Tech Pitch Competition at AAHOACON25, but if recent history is any indication, then all the finalists should revel in their moment in the spotlight.
The Tech Pitch Competition gives leading technology companies and fledgling startups an opportunity to showcase their products in front of thousands of hoteliers at AAHOA’s biggest annual event. If a tech product can save hoteliers money or improve hotel operations in a meaningful way, then it’s sure to fi nd a receptive audience at AAHOACON, which can serve as a launch pad for innovative solutions.
Eight tech companies were named finalists for the 2024 Tech Pitch Competition, won by Kings III Emergency Communications for its emergency phone-monitoring platform. After taking the stage and fielding questions at AAHOACON24, those finalists garnered strong interest on the tradeshow floor, leading to more business opportunities, according to Dennis Smith, AAHOA’s vice president of business development
The winner gets a free booth at the following year’s AAHOACON and is featured prominently in recaps of the event, but merely being among the finalists is a reason to celebrate, Smith said.
“It elevates your visibility during AAHOACON, whether you’re a well-established company or a small startup,” he said. “Being selected as a finalist by our panel of judges also gives your technology solution a stamp of approval, showing that it’s valid in the marketplace.”
Each year, AAHOA partners with Austin, Texas-based Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) to host the Tech Pitch Competition. All tech companies that sign up to be exhibitors at AAHOACON are eligible to compete by filling out an application packet. A five judge panel that includes Frank Wolfe, chief executive of HFTP, then selects a group of finalists and invites them to present at the Tech Pitch Competition.
This year’s competition will be held during AAHOACON25 in New Orleans from April 15-17.
“One of the reasons these competitions are so valuable is that they make some of the legacy systems sit up and take notice,” Wolfe said. “We’re showcasing companies that have invented a better mousetrap, so to speak, and that can shake things up.”
Winning last year’s Tech Pitch Competition was “an exciting moment” for Coppell, Texas-based Kings III Emergency Communications, according to Clarisa James, business development manager for the company’s hospitality division.
“Events like this are crucial because they allow emerging tech companies to demonstrate how their solutions can directly address industry pain points,” she said. “For our company, winning such an event signals leadership in solving real-world challenges, particularly with regard to safety and regulatory compliance.”
During its pitch, Kings III highlighted how it helps to bring hotel elevator communication devices up to recently updated ADA codes for sight- and hearing-impaired guests. Kings III offers a range of elevator help phones, both cellular and standard phone lines, to fit each hotel’s individual needs. Since focusing on the hospitality industry, Kings III has signed up more than 500 hotels for its emergency communication system, James said.
“We never had to target hospitality before because there was never a need, but with code changes that are happening with elevator technology and with landlines going away, there’s now a reason hotels need us,” James said. “We provided insight into how our emergency communication system can replace outdated technology, particularly for elevator and pool emergency phones, while adhering to all national and municipality code requirements.”
AAHOA established the Tech Pitch Competition as a way to seek out cutting-edge technologies that address everyday challenges facing hotel owners, their staffers, and guests. Immediate Past Chairman Bharat Patel said the event resonates with hoteliers who want to “stay at the forefront of innovation.”
“We are in our fourth year hosting the AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition, and I am continually impressed by the caliber of entries and the innovation in our industry,” he said.
In 2023, Austin-based Virdee won the Tech Pitch Competition for its Virtual Reception solution, aimed at streamlining the check-in process for guests. Through their smartphones and Virtual Reception Clarisa James proudly accepts the Tech Pitch Competition Award on behalf of Kings III Emergency Communications at the 2024 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, standing alongside last year’s esteemed panel of judges. kiosks in the lobby, guests can check in, receive room keys, and pay for their stay.
“It’s super exciting when you start a company and you start selling the product, and the first thing you want to do is get product market fit and start building your client base,” said Branigan Mulcahy, cofounder of Virdee. “And then any sort of recognition like this is a huge honor for us. Really, it’s a cool experience and a great feeling.”
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA’s president and CEO, said it’s “truly invigorating to witness the diverse array of products and companies showcased” in the Tech Pitch Competitions.
“These innovative technologies offer practical solutions tailored to address the evolving challenges encountered by our members,” she said. “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all participating companies for their relentless pursuit of innovation, as they play a pivotal role in advancing the industry forward.”
Past AAHOA Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel (2022-2023), said the Tech Pitch Competition is an example of the association being proactive instead of reactive in helping members improve their businesses.
“Technology is a big pillar for our association and our industry,” he said. “That’s why events such as the AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition are so important for the future of our industry.”
Looking back, James said it was a “no-brainer” for Kings III to participate in the Tech Pitch Competition, and she encouraged other tech companies to do the same.
“If you have something that’s revolutionizing the hospitality industry, put your name in the hat,” she said. “You never know what’s going to happen. We contemplated whether we should actually apply to compete. The industry doesn’t know what it doesn’t know, and it’s our job to educate.”
Image: rak/stock.adobe.com
2024 Tech Pitch Competition Finalists
ADRBoost.com, by Sara Hospitality
The Atlanta-based provider of furniture, fixture, and equipment packages for the hospitality industry developed a platform to help hoteliers enhance revenue management and increase profitability.
Digit7
This startup, based in Richardson, Texas, helps hotels to run their convenience stores and other retail operations with limited manpower. The company’s DigitMart solution allows guests to enter a store using their credit card, take the items they want and leave, without standing in checkout lines. Similarly, its DigitKart solution lets guests place up to 15 items in a checkout tray and pay for them without scanning them, speeding up transactions.
Royal Basket Trucks
Based in Darien, Wis., the company manufactures carts for housekeeping, laundry, and other services, including a motorized cart with a 250-watt motor to handle steep inclines and plush carpeting. With a long-lasting battery, it can run for 14 hours under normal operating conditions.
Innrly
Based in LaPlace, La., the company provides cloud-based software solutions that automate and digitize operations, bringing together the revenue matrix, labor, payables, and other data in one dashboard. Innrly gives hoteliers the power to analyze key hotel metrics including revenue, occupancy, and revenue per room, and to compare those figures against past performance and current projections.
ProSafe
Headquartered in Sewell, N.J., ProSafe provides a beaconless geolocation panic-button system to keep hotel employees safe. Workers can access the system through their smartphones or wearable panic buttons. The system gathers audio and video evidence of incidents, and geolocation information is accurate at the room level.
Wizehire
Wizehire The Houston-based startup provides a digital hiring platform for growing businesses, enabling hoteliers to post expert-reviewed job posts across more than 100 job boards with ease. The platform offers industry specific job templates and coaching to streamline the hiring process.
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