HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING IS SCHEDULED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
John Burns attends numerous conferences and other travel industry events throughout the year. He often delivers presentations or moderates panels at these meetings.
2025
Dates | Conference | Location |
| January 27 - 29 |  HEDNA - Americas | San Diego, CA |
| March 3 - 6 | ITB | Berlin, Germany |
| June 16 - 19 | HITEC | Indianapolis, IN |
| September 3 - 5 | HFTP CIO Summit | Vancouver, VC, Canada |
| October 1 - 3 | Arival | Washington, DC |
| October 26 - 28 | The Hospitality Show | Denver, CO |
2026
Dates | Conference | Location |
| January 21 - 23 | HEDNA - Americas | Orlando, FL |
| March 3 - 5 | ITB | Berlin, Germany |
| March | HFTP Executive Vendor Summit | TBD |
| June 15 - 18 | HITEC | San Antonio, TX |
| September | HFTP CIO Summit | TBD |
| October | Arival | TBD |
| October | The Hospitality Show | TBD |
Articles
Summer, 2025
AS A HOTEL ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION CONSULTANT, I’m deeply familiar with tools and techniques the lodging industry uses to present our properties on our brand websites, as well as the online travel agencies (OTAs), global distribution systems (GDSs) and elsewhere. I know the limitations of internet booking engines and of central reservation systems (CRSs); I know the costs associated with OTA bookings; I know complexities of using GDSs, wholesalers, and social media.
Five Hospitality Technology Predictions for 2025
Winter, 2024
As the hospitality industry approaches 2025, analysis from leading voices including Oracle’s Laura Calin, Accor, Amadeus, Prism Hospitality, IDeaS and industry consultant John Burns, reveal five transformative trends shaping the future. While technology drives many changes through AI, security, and vendor consolidation, the focus remains firmly on enhancing guest experiences through personalization, wellness initiatives, and unique travel offerings. These predictions point to an industry poised to redefine hospitality through innovation while maintaining its core mission of exceptional service.
Hotel Staff and Hotel Systems Screens - A Love/Hate Relationship
Summer, 2024
A hotel computer system’s screens or displays – what we now commonly refer to as the user interface – are the single and vital point through which hotel staff gain access to all of a system’s features and functions. The clarity of these features and the usefulness with which these functions are presented on system screens or displays directly impacts the systems’ ease of use. It ultimately determines their value to the operation in terms of quickly and easily completing tasks.
Mobile First, Mobile Only, Mobile Now
Summer, 2023
It’s depressing – when you go to a restaurant and see a couple or a small group of diners all on their phones – not saying a word to each other. This common scene in restaurants across the globe is one of many indicators that our smartphones – our mobile devices – are now an integral part of our lives. We communicate, play, store memories, listen, share, and shop every day on these devices. They’re ubiquitous in our day-to-day activities.
Sustainability Is No Longer Optional by John Burns
Hospitality Upgrade Summer, 2022
Shattering Silos – Strengthening Communication between Marketing & IT
Hospitality Upgrade Spring, 2022
Voice is dead! Telephone calls to book hotel reservations are a thing of the past – ancient history.
Hospitality Upgrade Fall, 2021
How the Pandemic Changed the Hotel Business
Hospitality Upgrade Summer, 2021
Managing Voice Reservations Operations in an Economic Downturn
Hospitality Upgrade Fall, 2021
Sorry, We Have No Experiences Worth Talking About At My Hotel. HOGWASH!
Hospitality Upgrade magazine – Fall, 2019
How Hotel Operators can Survive and Thrive in an Environment of Constant Change
Hospitality Upgrade magazine, Summer, 2019
The Evolution of PMS/CRS – What Will These Solutions Look Like in 2025?
Hospitality Upgrade magazine – Summer, 2019
Are You Sure? HEDNA Global Distribution Conference January 29-31, Austin
Hospitality Upgrade magazine – Spring, 2018
A SPA WITH A HOTEL: WHAT WOULD CHANGE?
Hospitality Upgrade magazine – Summer, 2018
EVOLUTION OF HOTEL DISTRIBUTION 2012
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Summer, 2012
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Spring, 2012
IS ALL LOST FOR HOTEL BRAND WEBSITES?
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Fall, 2010
THE CHALLENGE AND THREAT OF EXTRA HOTEL FEES
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Summer, 2010
DEAL MAKERS/DEAL BREAKERS – FACTORS HOTELS MULL AS THEY CONSIDER TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Spring, 2010
SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENTS BY ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCIES
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2009
TO CALL FORWARD OR NOT CALL FORWARD
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2009.
HOTELS: ARE YOU MAXIMIZING YOUR CRS?
Hospitality Technology, November/December 2008.
REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS PROMISE & DELIVERY: PART 2 THE HOTELIER PERSPECTIVE
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2008.
REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: PROMISE AND DELIVERY PART 1 PART 1 – THE VENDOR PERSPECTIVE
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2008.
Lodging Hospitality, June 2007.
GROUPS AND MEETINGS – THE NEXT FRONTIER IN ONLINE BOOKING
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2007.
TEN REASONS TO LOVE THE INTERNET
Lodging Hospitality, March 15, 2007.
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2007.
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2006.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT YOU?
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2006.
WHAT THE CRUISE LINES CAN TEACH THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2005.
Lodging, January 2005.
REPRESENTATION COMPANIES INTRODUCE PROACTIVE COUNSELING
Hospitality Upgrade, Fall 2004.
Hold Your Horses! Getting a Grip on the Reins of Distribution Channel Management
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2004 (co-authored with
A WAVE OF OWNERSHIP CHANGE AMONG RESERVATIONS REPRESENTATION FIRMS
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2004.
EMERGING RESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
Lodging, January 2004.
HOTEL DATA MAINTENANCE IN THE GDSS — IT IS STILL AN ISSUE?
Is It Still an Issue? Hospitality Upgrade, Fall 2003.
THE WEB RESHAPES VOICE RESERVATIONS
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2003.
INVENTORY AND RATE MANAGEMENT IN A NEW WORLD
Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2002.
CHANGING TIDES IN RESERVATIONS AND ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION
Hospitality Upgrade, Spring 2002.
GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND—USER ASSISTANCE ON HOTEL WEB SITES
Hospitality Upgrade, Fall 2001 (authored by Judith Burns).
CHOOSING A RESERVATION REPRESENTATION COMPANY REVISITED – PART 2
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Summer, 2001
CHOOSING A RESERVATIONS REPRESENTATION COMPANY PART 2 – THE VENDOR EVALUATION PROCESS
Part 2 Hospitality Upgrade, Summer 2001.
CHOOSING A RESERVATION REPRESENTATION COMPANY REVISITED – PART 1
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine – Spring, 2001
CHOOSING A RESERVATIONS REPRESENTATION COMPANY
Part 1 Hospitality Upgrade. Spring 2001.
UNDERSTANDING AND MAXIMIZING A HOTEL’S ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
Hospitality Upgrade. Fall 2000.
A WEB BOOKING WORKBOOK: HOW TO GET YOUR SHARE
Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE. Fall 1999 (co-authored with Judith Burns).
Presentation to New Frontiers Conference. September 1999.
RUMORS OF THEIR DEMISE WERE CLEARLY PREMATURE
The Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE, Spring 1999.
CONSIDERING THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION
Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE. Summer 1999.
VALUE OF THE INTERNET FOR THE CONSUMER
Presentation at the February 1999 EuroHotec Conference, Vienna.
CONSIDERING THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION
Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE. Summer 1999.
VALUE OF THE INTERNET FOR THE CONSUMER
Presentation at the February 1999 EuroHotec Conference, Vienna.
Hospitality Technology 1999 Buyer’s Guide. 1999.
SELECTING NEW COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS: SOME THOUGHTS ON EASING THE PROCESS
The Rooms Chronicle, Vol 6, No. 5, September/October 1998.
CRS – EVOLVING ROLES, EVOLVING CAPABILITIES
Lodging, June 1998.
GDS PREDICTIONS REVISITED, LESSONS LEARNED
The Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE, Summer 1998.
THE GROWING CRS ROLE IN DATA BASE MARKETING
The Hotel & Restaurant Technology UPDATE, Fall 1998.
GDS DATA BASE MAINTENANCE: THE NEVER-ENDING CHALLENGE-PART 2
Hotel Technology Update, Spring 1998.
CRS: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
H & A Report, March 1998.
GDS DATA BASE MAINTENANCE: THE NEVER-ENDING CHALLENGE – PART 1
H & A Report, May/June 1997.
EVOLVING ROLE OF THE CENTRAL RES SYSTEM
Lodging, May 1997.
IARE’S ANNUAL MEETING DRAWS CALL CENTER MANAGERS
Travel Distribution Report, May 8, 1997.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF CRS AND GDS
Hotel & Motel Management, May 5, 1997.
THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM
H & A Report, Volume IV, Issue 3, January/February 1997.
H & A Report, Volume IV, Issue 2, November/December 1996.
USING GDS SYSTEMS TO BEST ADVANTAGE
The Rooms Chronicle, Vol 4, No. 4, July/August 1996.
CRS-LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 6, May/June 1996.
IARE MEMBERS, MEETING IN PHOENIX, WEIGH EFFECTS OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Travel Distribution Report, May 23, 1996.
Hotel & Motel Management, April 22, 1996 (co-authored with Robert M. Coyne).
SEAMLESS – THE NEW GDS CONNECTIVITY STANDARD
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 5, January/February 1996.
ELECTRONIC GDS DISTRIBUTION – WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 5, January/February 1996.
HOSPITALITY MARKETING THROUGH GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
HSMAI Marketing Review, Vol. 12, No. 3, Winter 1995/1996.
IMPROVING HOTEL RESERVATIONS OFFICE EFFICIENCY
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 4, October/November 1995.
JUDGING HOTEL RESERVATIONS OFFICE EFFICIENCY
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 3, July/August 1995.
A NEW GENERATION OF CENTRAL RESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
H & A Report, Volume III, Issue 2, May/June 1995.
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS: A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
Hospitality & Automation, October/November 1994.
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS: A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
The HSSS Newsletter, Vol. 5, Issue 1, November 1994.
