Tech Pitch Competition recap

As the AAHOACON21 Trade Show floor closed, the doors to the Inaugural Tech Pitch Competition swung open. As an indicator of this new event's immediate popularity, attendees filled a majority of the seats in the C3-C4 Ballroom to hear from a pre-selected group of presenters. The pitches centered on products and solutions intended to help hoteliers make money, save money, and protect their investments as we come out of – and continue to navigate – the most challenging time in our industry's history.

As AAHOA Executive Vice President & COO Rachel Humphrey said while introducing event host AAHOA Treasurer Nishant (Neal) Patel, "We have a LOT of excitement to get through this afternoon."

A panel of five judges weighed eight presentations of five minutes each, each of which were followed by a Q&A format with the judges. Concepts pitched included streamlined scheduling software, AI and data analytics, AI guest engagement, an in-destination travel guide and guest connectivity, a revenue-management dashboard, tip-management, a meal kiosk, and more.

Once all presentations had been made, the judges huddled to select a winner. During that process, however, each judge offered an additional prize – free promotion, a guaranteed trial at their properties, etc. – significantly upping the ante of the competition.

After intense and difficult deliberations, the judges commended each presenter on their pitches, but there can be only one winner, and x-quic emerged as the victor for the company's pitch on a brand-new revenue-management software platform.

Thank you to ALL the participants and judges in this new, exciting challenge. Here's to seeing the continued evolution of this competition.