Quore Reflects on HITEC 2026 As AI Matures and Hoteliers Shift Focus from Hype to Practical Operations

Company recalls the industry’s biggest conversations from San Antonio and why hotel technology is entering a new era of purposeful innovation

More than 6,100 hospitality technology professionals and 400+ exhibiting companies gathered in San Antonio last month for HITEC 2026, reaffirming the event’s role as the industry’s premier technology conference. Yet for Quore, one message stood out above all others: the hospitality industry is moving beyond AI fascination and into AI application.

While artificial intelligence dominated conversations at HITEC 2025, this year’s discussions were notably different. Hotel owners, operators, and management companies arrived with more focused questions centered on real-world hotel workflows, data integration, security, and measurable business value.

“The conversation has matured,” said Richard Bradbury, VP of Product Management for Quore. “Last year, everyone wanted to talk about AI because it was new. This year, they wanted to know exactly how it solves operational problems, how it protects sensitive information, and whether it fits within their organization’s philosophy for using technology.”

Quore experienced a different type of tradeshow than in previous years. Although overall traffic appeared lighter than in past events, the company reported a higher concentration of meaningful conversations with industry decision-makers, many of which had been scheduled in advance. Those deeper discussions provided valuable insight into where hotel technology investments are headed over the next several years.

One of the most consistent themes centered on data. Rather than asking for another standalone application, hoteliers increasingly want technology partners that can connect information from multiple systems and transform it into operational intelligence.

“Operators described scenarios where they wanted to compare occupancy data from the PMS with weather information, energy consumption, engineering systems, and maintenance records to understand property performance better,” Bradbury said. “Instead of manually assembling reports from multiple platforms, they are looking to AI to simplify complex data relationships while maintaining appropriate oversight and governance.”

At the same time, concerns about AI security remain very real. Bradbury noted that many conversations focused less on what AI can do and more on how vendors are using it responsibly. Hotel companies continue to express caution about exposing guest or employee information to large language models and other AI platforms.

For Quore, whose software primarily manages back-of-house hotel operations rather than guest-facing loyalty or reservation data, that distinction is important.

“We’re taking a cautious approach,” Bradbury said. “We don’t use personally identifiable guest or employee information in our AI initiatives. Instead, we’re applying AI where it excels: organizing operational information, simplifying integrations, identifying patterns across disparate data sources, and helping hotel teams work more efficiently while maintaining strong controls around sensitive information.”

One area generating strong interest at HITEC was the future of hotel asset management. Building and maintaining a complete inventory of hotel equipment has traditionally been one of the most labor-intensive responsibilities for engineering teams, requiring staff to document every asset’s manufacturer, model number, serial number, maintenance history, warranty information, and physical location throughout the property. Quore is applying AI to dramatically simplify that process by automatically gathering and organizing publicly available equipment specifications and manufacturer documentation, giving engineering teams faster access to the information they need while reducing manual data entry.

The company is also exploring image recognition technology, allowing staff to simply photograph equipment or assets so the system can identify them, capture key details, and support inspections and maintenance workflows more efficiently. While these capabilities are still being refined, they demonstrate how AI can eliminate repetitive administrative tasks and give hotel teams more time to focus on operating their properties.

Educating the Industry

Bradbury also participated in an educational panel discussing how technology vendors can collaborate more effectively to improve hotel operations. His message centered on the importance of interoperability.

“The hotel runs better when technology companies work together,” he said. “AI makes integrations easier, but success still depends on choosing partners that are committed to solving workflows together rather than operating in silos.”

Beyond technology itself, Quore observed broader economic realities influencing buyer behavior. Due to shorter average stays, changing travel patterns, and continued economic uncertainty, many attendees acknowledged expectations for softer travel demand across most lodging segments outside luxury. Those pressures are making technology purchasing decisions more deliberate and reinforcing the need for solutions that produce measurable operational improvements.

For hoteliers who were unable to attend HITEC, Bradbury believes the biggest takeaway is straightforward.

“Don’t simply ask vendors whether they use AI,” he said. “Ask how they use it, why they use it, how they protect your information, and whether their approach aligns with your organization’s values. AI isn’t the strategy. Solving operational problems is.”

After attending HITEC for more than three decades, Bradbury said he believes the conference continues to serve an unmatched purpose for the hospitality industry.

“Thirty-five years later, HITEC is still the premier place for hoteliers to discover technology that solves everyday operational challenges,” he said. “No other event brings together this breadth of innovation, expertise, and practical solutions focused entirely on hotel technology.”

As hospitality technology continues to evolve, Bradbury said he believes success will be measured less by who adopts the newest technology first and more by who delivers lasting value to hotel operators. For the company, that means continuing to invest in practical innovation, strengthening customer relationships, and building solutions that help hotel teams work smarter together.

The conversations in San Antonio made one thing clear: hospitality’s AI era has officially entered its next chapter, where trust, integration, and operational results matter far more than the hype.