There's a lot of uncertainty as to what to expect at this month's Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference. This year's edition of HITEC, which will be held June 22-25 at the Anaheim (CA) Convention Center, comes in the middle of the hotel industry's biggest downturn in anyone's memory. Who will show up? What vendors will be there, and what new ideas will they present? What new trends will be revealed by the event's vast array of speakers?

HITEC, which is sponsored and produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, will showcase a wide range of computer-based hardware, software and systems covering all areas of hotel operations — from reservations and property management systems to telephones and guestroom entertainment and information and more. In addition, the conference will have a full schedule of general sessions, keynote speakers, panel discussions and a few social events. Here are some highlights:

• An extended exhibit hall schedule gives attendees up to 15 hours to visit vendor booths.

• The conference's 47 panel discussions and roundtables cover every imaginable technology topic.

• The opening (Monday) and closing (Thursday) general sessions both feature high-powered keynote speakers. On Monday afternoon, Travelocity founder Terry Jones will discuss the importance in building effective customer relationship strategies. During Thursday afternoon's closing session, Doug Solomon, CEO of IDEO, will explore how thinking like a designer can be a useful problem-solving technique for the hospitality industry.

• Attendees, vendors and speakers will have a chance to mingle at the opening reception immediately after Monday's general session. The party will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Marriott.

For more information or to register for HITEC, go to www.hitec.org.

Reference Guide

• Property Management Systems
• Energy Management
• Telecommunications
• Training and Implementation
• Guestroom Entertainment/Services
• Sales and Catering
• Central Reservation Systems
• Systems Integration / Data Management
• Point of Sale
• Safety and Security
• ASP/Web-enabled Software
• Customer Relationship Management
• Web Management
• Revenue Management
• Internet Technology