This year’s just-concluded HITEC conference and trade show wasn’t one of great innovation or new jaw-dropping technologies. Rather, while I saw a number of new innovative products and systems, I didn’t see anything that will change the direction of hotel technology in either the short- or long-term.

However, many exhibitors talked about and showed new systems that center on convergence and integration. In particular, there was a lot of talk of bundling together applications, especially those directed to the guest, through the in-room TV or phone. As someone said, the flat panel TV is no longer just a device to receive programming; it’s a window to the world.

Some other thoughts about HITEC:

• I never heard official attendance figures, but the consensus among those I spoke to was that fewer people were in Austin for this year’s event than were at last year’s HITEC in Orlando. It might have been the location. Many people don’t like to take two planes and spend all day to get to a destination. Another theory, of course, is that the economic downturn is having an effect on technology spending in the hotel business. Time will tell.

• I wasn’t able to get every new product on display, but I did find a few fun, interesting or unique new items, including Mtech’s Rex, an Apple-based device that communicates with housekeepers; INNCOM’s high-design Glass Series thermostat and switch; the in-room media, entertainment and business system from RoomLinx; PSAV’s suite of event technology products; and PhoneSuite’s touch screen telephone console. The August issue of Lodging Hospitality will feature a complete review of HITEC’s sessions, themes and products.

• HITEC has more vendor-sponsored parties than any other event I attend each year. The two best parties were at the same venue, Austin’s iconic Stubb’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant. SynXsiS sponsored the party on Tuesday night. It was great but it was surpassed by Wednesday’s event sponsored by Pegasus.

• The unluckiest person in Austin this week was Roger Radtke, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott across the street from the convention center which lost its Internet connection for two hours in late afternoon on Tuesday. It’s got to be embarrassing to experience a failure like that with a house full of hotel technology experts.