PGS: Please introduce yourself and your company.

Answer: I’m Manolo Diaz, a Regional Sales Director – Southern Europe at Canary Technologies. I’ve enjoyed a 20+ year career in hospitality technology. Canary Technologies is the all-in-one guest-facing tech platform for operational excellence and five-star guest service. Canary digitizes guest touchpoints throughout the guest journey that are otherwise paper-based or manual. Powered by AI, our platform automates and streamline operational tasks to free up hotel staff to stay focused on what they do best: provide top-notch, in-person hospitality.

PGS: Can you briefly explain your solutions and services? Which markets or regions do you operate in?

Answer: Canary’s AI-powered Guest Journey Platform includes the industry’s top-rated Guest Management System to drive revenue, streamline operations and boost the guest experience. We also automate guest communications across text, calls, and chats with our omni-channel AI solutions. Additionally, Canary gives Sales & Events teams the tools they need to close deals faster, manage their contracts pipeline, and collect payments with ease. We serve more than 20,000 hotels in over 100 countries.

PGS: What makes your company’s products and services unique compared to others in the industry?

Answer: Canary’s Guest Management Platform is built by hoteliers, for hoteliers, and the industry has taken note. We’ve received a number of recognitions for our solutions, including the Hotel Visionary Award and HotelTechReport’s Hotelier’s Choice Award. Additionally, we’ve been named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and Deloitte’s Fast 500. We’re partnered with major hotel brands, including Marriott, Wyndham, Four Seasons, and IHG. Our platform is powered by Canary AI – the most advanced, hospitality-specific AI model on the market. It’s built specifically for the unique needs of hotels, unlike many AI tools that generically serve multiple industries. We’re also the only provider offering an end-to-end platform that digitizes every guest touchpoint from booking through post-stay, including check-in, messaging, payments, upsells, digital tipping, checkout, and more.

PGS: How do your solutions support hotels in improving operations, guest experience, or revenue performance?

Answer: Canary digitizes many of the routine, analogue administrative tasks that take the front desk away from providing in-person service. From digital registration cards to automating answers to responding to inquiries, our solutions make it possible for hotel staff to do less admin work and instead make more human-to-human connections. This translates directly to an improved guest experience — FAQs get an instant response through Canary’s AI solutions, while staff have more bandwidth for the requests that need a human touch. And when hotels have a great guest experience, revenue follows. Canary’s Dynamic Upsells automatically offer personalized add-ons to guests at key touchpoints, but we also increase hotels’ third-party reviews with Smart Checkout, boosting online visibility and encouraging future bookings. Additionally, we protect hotel revenue — with Digital Authorizations, hoteliers no longer have to spend extensive time and money fighting frequent fraud and chargebacks.

PGS: What challenges do you see hotel operators and technology leaders facing in the next 3–5 years?

Answer: Hotels are managing rising guest expectations with leaner teams and fragmented tech. The challenge will be consolidating legacy systems into unified, AI-driven platforms that boost efficiency without losing the connection to the guest. Labor shortages and profitability pressures will continue to drive the need for automation that empowers staff, not replaces them.

PGS: In your opinion, what trends and technologies will shape the future of hospitality?

Answer: AI and automation will define the next chapter of hospitality. Guest-facing AI is transforming service speed, personalization, and revenue generation, and its potential only continues to grow. We’re also seeing continued investment in contactless, self-service, and sustainability tech as hotels move to systems that better support the modern traveller.

PGS: What are your expectations from the Hotel Operations & Technology Conference 2025?

Answer: We’re looking forward to connecting with hoteliers who are reimagining operations for modern travellers in the AI era. Events like this foster collaboration across the industry and highlight how innovation can make hospitality more efficient, more human, and more profitable. It’ll be exciting to hear from hoteliers and spark conversations about where the industry is headed.

PGS: Can you briefly explain your solutions and services? Which markets or regions do you operate in?

Membit provides AI-powered customer service solutions, including textual and voice bots that understand free-form natural language. Our services allow hotels to automate guest interactions, streamline requests, and provide multilingual support directly through in-room phones or digital channels. We operate across finance, automotive, and hospitality sectors, with deployments in Europe, the US, and Israel, and are continuously expanding into new markets.

PGS: What makes your company’s products and services unique compared to others in the industry?
Our solutions stand out because they:

• Understand free-form speech and text, enabling natural interactions.
• Support multilingual communication for international guests.
• Integrate seamlessly with existing hotel systems (PMS, CRM).
• Automate up to 60% of routine guest requests, improving efficiency.
• Provide secure, scalable solutions tailored to each hotel’s workflow and operational needs.

PGS: How do your solutions support hotels in improving operations, guest experience, or revenue performance?

• Operations: Automates routine tasks, freeing staff to focus on high-value activities.
• Guest Experience: Provides instant, accurate responses 24/7 in multiple languages.
• Revenue Performance: Improves upsell opportunities and guest satisfaction, which drives repeat bookings and positive reviews.

PGS: What challenges do you see hotel operators and technology leaders facing in the next 3–5 years?

• Increasing guest expectations for personalized, instant service.
• Integration of emerging technologies into legacy systems.
• Labor shortages and operational efficiency pressures.
• Adapting to data privacy regulations while leveraging AI insights.
• Maintaining high guest satisfaction while scaling operations efficiently.

PGS: In your opinion, what trends and technologies will shape the future of hospitality?

• AI-driven guest engagement across text, voice, and mobile channels.
• Multilingual and personalized service powered by conversational AI.
• Automation of operational workflows to reduce costs and improve service.
• Data-driven decision making, including predictive analytics for revenue and guest preferences.
• Contactless and smart-room technologies, integrated seamlessly with AI services.

6. What are your expectations from the Hotel Operations & Technology Conference 2025?
   We expect to gain insights into emerging trends and technologies, connect with industry leaders, and explore partnership opportunities to advance AI-driven guest services. We aim to showcase Membit’s innovations and learn from peers about operational challenges and best practices in hospitality technology.

PGS: Please introduce yourself and your company.

I’m Ana Olmo Funes, Sales Account Executive at Chekin. In my role, I focus on helping hotels in Spain and across Europe adopt digital solutions that transform the guest check-in process. My mission is to expand our hotel vertical in these markets by building strong partnerships with operators, understanding their operational challenges, and ensuring that Chekin delivers measurable value both in efficiency and in guest experience.

Chekin is a hospitality technology company dedicated to reimagining the guest arrival experience. We simplify and modernize check-in and guest registration, helping hotels save time, stay compliant with regulations, and elevate the guest journey.

PGS: Can you briefly explain your solutions and services? Which markets or regions do you operate in?

Chekin offers an end-to-end platform for digital guest registration, check-in, identity verification, payments, upselling, and compliance. Our solutions include:

• Online check-in so guests can register before arrival.
• Identity verification using biometric and document matching.
• Self check-in options with kiosks or tablets on site.
• Digital signatures & contracts for forms, rental agreements, and policies.
• Payments, deposits, damage protection, and tourist taxes.
• Legal compliance with automated data reporting to authorities.
• Upselling tools to promote upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, or local services.
• Digital keys / smart lock integrations for seamless guest access.
• PMS integrations so hotel operations run smoothly.

While Chekin operates internationally, my role is focused on Spain and Europe, where we help hotels adapt to local regulations and meet growing guest demand for digital, seamless experiences.

PGS: What makes your company’s products and services unique compared to others in the industry?

Chekin stands out because we:

1. Offer a complete, end-to-end solution covering the entire check-in journey.
2. Handle regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, solving a major headache for hoteliers.
3. Provide robust identity verification and fraud protection.
4. Enable customization and branding of the guest journey.
5. Integrate with a wide ecosystem of PMS, locks, and payments systems.
6. Deliver value for both operations and guests, balancing efficiency with better experiences.

PGS: How do your solutions support hotels in improving operations, guest experience, or revenue performance?

Operational efficiency:

• Save staff time by automating manual registration and reporting.
• Reduce errors from manual data entry.
• Streamline peak check-in times and compliance tasks.

Guest experience:

• Offer faster, contactless, and flexible arrival.
• Enable self-service options while freeing staff to focus on hospitality.
• Provide digital keys and upselling opportunities for convenience.

Revenue gains:

• Convert upsell offers at the check-in stage (room upgrades, extras, services).
• Reduce losses with fraud protection and secure deposits.
• Improve guest satisfaction and loyalty, leading to repeat stays.

PGS: What challenges do you see hotel operators and technology leaders facing in the next 3–5 years?

1. Integration complexity and tech fragmentation.
2. Data privacy, security, and compliance with tightening regulations.
3. Legacy infrastructure that limits adoption of modern solutions.
4. Rising guest expectations, especially from younger, tech-savvy travelers.
5. Staffing challenges and change management during digital transformation.
6. Differentiation in a market where digital check-in will soon be standard.
7. Sustainability and ESG demands.
8. Resilience to economic, health, or geopolitical disruptions.

PGS: In your opinion, what trends and technologies will shape the future of hospitality?

• Seamless digital guest journey: Guests increasingly expect to complete everything – from booking to check-in to check-out – on their own devices. Mobile-first, frictionless workflows will become the norm.
• Advanced digital identity verification & biometrics: Reliable ID checks and biometric authentication will grow in importance, both for security and for reducing fraud, while also making the guest experience smoother.
• Legal compliance automation: As regulations in Europe and beyond become stricter and more fragmented, technology that automates data submission to authorities will be critical for hoteliers to avoid fines and stay compliant.
• Contactless access & smart lock integration: Digital keys and connected room access will continue to expand, allowing guests to bypass reception entirely if they choose.
• Upselling and ancillary revenue at check-in: The check-in stage will increasingly become a strategic commercial moment – offering room upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, or experiences directly in the digital flow.
• System interoperability: Hotels want their PMS, payment systems, smart locks, and guest platforms to work together seamlessly. Open APIs and integrations will shape how hotels select and trust their technology partners.
• Data-driven personalization: By combining registration data, preferences, and behavior, hotels can tailor offers and services in real time, improving both guest satisfaction and revenue.

PGS: What are your expectations from the Hotel Operations & Technology Conference 2025?

I look forward to:

• Networking with hotel leaders and innovators across operations and technology.
• Exploring partnerships with complementary tech providers.
• Sharing Chekin’s vision while learning from others about the industry’s future.
• Meeting potential customers to demonstrate our solutions and hear their feedback.
• Benchmarking and competitive insights to refine our strategy.
• Strengthening Chekin’s presence as a trusted partner for digital guest experiences.

PGS: Please introduce yourself and your company.

Answer: My name is Belinda Miguel Pérez, and I am Regional Sales Manager at BirchStreet Systems, looking after Southern Europe. I have been working in technology for over a decade, and in recent years, specifically in hospitality, supporting global hotel groups in implementing solutions that bring efficiency, visibility, and value across their operations. BirchStreet Systems is the leading provider of cloud-based procure-to-pay solutions, trusted by thousands of hotels, resorts, food services and operators worldwide.

PGS: Can you briefly explain your solutions and services? Which markets or regions do you operate in?

Answer: BirchStreet offers a comprehensive suite of modules covering procurement, inventory management, recipe management, accounts payable automation, and supplier payments. Our solutions enable hoteliers to digitize and automate back-of-house processes, ensuring compliance, standardization, and cost savings. We operate globally, with strong presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

PGS: What makes your company’s products and services unique compared to others in the industry?
Answer: BirchStreet is purpose-built for hospitality. While other providers may serve multiple industries, our focus on hotels, GPOs, and food service companies allows us to tailor workflows, reporting, and integrations to the specific needs of operators. Recently, BirchStreet was recognized in the IDC MarketScape Magic Quadrant as a top leader in the procure-to-pay space, validating our innovation, expertise, and market strength.

PGS: How do your solutions support hotels in improving operations, guest experience, or revenue performance?
Answer: By streamlining procurement, automating accounts payable, and providing real-time visibility into spend and inventory, BirchStreet helps operators save time and reduce costs. This efficiency allows hotels to reinvest resources into what matters most: delivering an excellent and consistent guest experience. In addition, standardized processes across properties strengthen supplier relationships and drive improved revenue performance through cost control.

PGS: What challenges do you see hotel operators and technology leaders facing in the next 3–5 years?
Answer: Hotel operators will continue to face margin pressures, growing demands for sustainability, and the complexity of managing diverse portfolios across multiple geographies. Technology leaders will need to balance operational efficiency with delivering highly personalized guest experiences, all while adapting to an increasingly fast-moving digital landscape.

PGS: In your opinion, what trends and technologies will shape the future of hospitality?
Answer: Automation, AI-driven insights, and integrated platforms will be key drivers of change. Hotels will increasingly rely on technology not only for cost control, but also for predictive decision-making, sustainability tracking, and personalized guest engagement. Operators who embrace digitization and data-driven management will be best positioned to succeed in the years ahead.

PGS: What are your expectations from the Hotel Operations & Technology Conference 2025?
Answer: I look forward to exchanging ideas with industry peers, exploring innovative solutions, and understanding how brands and operators are addressing today’s challenges. It is also an excellent opportunity to showcase how BirchStreet empowers hotels to achieve operational excellence and build long-term resilience for the future.

PGS: Please introduce Gayle Mardell and your company.

I am Gayle Mardell, and I represent FCS Solutions, a leading global hospitality technology company dedicated to transforming the way hotels operate. With over four decades of experience, FCS has earned the trust of thousands of properties in more than 60 countries, ranging from independent boutiques to world-renowned luxury hotel brands. Our solutions are designed to streamline day-to-day operations, empower staff with the right tools, and ultimately create memorable guest experiences. By combining innovation with deep industry expertise, we help hoteliers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.

PGS: Can you briefly explain your solutions and services? Which markets or regions do you operate in?

Our flagship product, FCS1, is a cloud-based hotel operations platform that unifies housekeeping, maintenance, guest services, and incident management into a single ecosystem. Alongside our flagship platform FCS1, we also provide complementary solutions such as FCS1 Lite, a SaaS model tailored for small to mid-sized hotels, and FCS1 Gateway, which seamlessly bridges on-premises devices to the cloud. Looking ahead, we are preparing to introduce an exciting new AI-driven product that will further redefine how hotels manage operations and guest engagement. More details will be shared in the coming months.

We operate globally, with a strong presence in 56 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, backed by 24/7 technical assistance, local expertise, and multi-language service.

PGS: What makes your company’s products and services unique compared to others in the industry?

FCS1 is a cloud-based, feature-rich platform designed for mid-to-large hotels, focusing on back-of-house operations that drive efficiency and elevate guest service. Unlike siloed systems that limit visibility to one department, FCS1 takes a holistic and composable approach, with API-first design, multi-language capability, and AI-driven features that keep properties agile and future-ready.

PGS: How do your solutions support hotels in improving operations, guest experience, or revenue performance?

Operations: Automating workflows reduces manual effort and improves communication between departments.

Guest Experience: Faster response times, personalized services, and proactive issue resolution create memorable stays.

Revenue: Improved efficiency reduces operating costs, while enhanced guest satisfaction drives repeat business, upselling, and positive reviews.

PGS: What challenges do you see hotel operators and technology leaders facing in the next 3–5 years?

Labor shortages and rising operational costs will continue to pressure hotels.

Guest expectations are shifting toward hyper-personalization and instant service.

Technology complexity, with legacy systems still in place, will make integration difficult.

Sustainability and compliance will also become more pressing, with regulations and eco-conscious guests influencing choices.

PGS: In your opinion, what trends and technologies will shape the future of hospitality?

AI & Predictive Analytics: From predictive maintenance and smart staff scheduling to waste reduction and real-time forecasting, AI is moving beyond chatbots to power core hotel operations.

Sustainability & Green Programs: Hotels are under pressure to track, report, and reduce their environmental footprint. Tech will play a central role in managing energy, water, waste, and carbon reporting.

Composable Platforms & Integration: Hotels want modular, API-first systems that connect seamlessly with PMS, POS, IoT, and other solutions to avoid silos and enabling growth without costly, heavy integrations.

Contactless & Frictionless Guest Journeys: Mobile check-in/out, digital keys, in-room smart controls, and messaging platforms like WhatsApp are now expected, giving guests direct access to hotel operators. These interactions generate valuable data that flows into back-of-house systems to anticipate needs and improve service.

Hyper-Personalization in Real Time: Using AI and guest data, hotels will be able to adjust room settings, recommend services, and deliver targeted offers while the guest is still on property — not just before arrival or after departure. This means anticipating preferences in dining, wellness, and amenities in real time, creating stays that feel uniquely personal and memorable.

PGS: What are your expectations from the Hotel Operations & Technology Conference 2025?

We see the conference as a platform to:

• Exchange ideas with hoteliers and technology leaders.
• Meet with leaders to gain insights into emerging needs and innovations.
• Showcase how FCS is leading and shaping the next era of Hospitality Intelligence.
• Opportunities to demonstrate how our solutions can deliver measurable value to hotel operations.