Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how their peers at companies like Global Dine Brands, Melia Hotels Global, and United Airlines are transforming the experiences of travelers and guests. Additionally, participants will gain valuable insights into best practices for innovation and digital transformation from AWS teams.
Small Innovations Can Lead to Significant Gains
In the lead-up to the event, the AWS Travel and Hospitality team engaged with several speakers to discuss their innovation journeys. For instance, Mark Johnson, the Chief Information Officer of Global Dine Brands, emphasized the importance of getting started: “Just take the first step.” He advised beginning with manageable applications. Successful initial projects can foster trust and create a foundation for future initiatives.
Similarly, Lisa Carter, Senior Vice President of Digital Technology at United Airlines, shared that the company’s attempts to forecast long-term outcomes had hindered progress. However, when teams focused on individual applications, the results exceeded expectations.
This message resonates with me personally. Throughout my career, I have spearheaded numerous digital transformation projects, always striving to deliver tangible value. It’s easy to become sidetracked by hypothetical scenarios that can stall stakeholder engagement. With AWS Cloud, starting small, experimenting, and learning from successes while swiftly addressing failures is both feasible and efficient.
Prioritizing Enhancements for Guest and Traveler Experience
A recurring theme in our discussions was the necessity of prioritizing the guest experience. Christian Thompson, Global Vice President of IT at Melia Hotels International, along with Susan Allen, Vice President of Technology at White Castle, highlighted how operational efficiencies have enabled their teams to better serve their guests.
White Castle’s recent trial of Flippy, a robotic fryer, exemplifies this innovation. By enhancing efficiency, Flippy allows staff to devote more time to creating memorable experiences for customers. Similarly, Christian noted that automating manual tasks at Melia Hotels has fostered stronger relationships between staff and guests, which is essential for resort visitors.
Scott Anderson, Executive Vice President and CIO at Wyndham Hotels, explained how their innovations have benefited all stakeholders, including guests, staff, and franchisees. By fully embracing AWS, Wyndham has achieved quicker integration and innovation compared to a multicloud strategy. This approach has enabled new services like contactless payments, reducing wait times and enhancing guest satisfaction. A win-win for everyone involved.
Training and Collaboration Drive Innovation
Upskilling and training are critical components of initiating digital transformation efforts. Susan highlighted how White Castle’s collaboration with AWS, including AWS Immersion Days, was invaluable to her team. Christian echoed this sentiment, praising the AWS team’s support in crafting innovative solutions for Melia Hotels.
During the Industry Innovators event, Richard Adams, an enterprise strategist at AWS, will share insights gathered from assisting numerous companies in their digital transformation endeavors. He will reveal successful patterns and discuss how progressive organizations are managing their workforce effectively.
Join Us for the Amazon IXD – VGT2 Event
If you’re eager to draw inspiration from industry peers and AWS, this event is not to be missed. Whether you’re contemplating how to initiate your journey, which initiatives to prioritize, or how to accelerate your digital transformation, this event promises to energize and motivate you to innovate.
You can find the complete agenda below and register today to attend the live event on June 14, 2022, or to view the sessions on demand. For further insights, check out another blog post here. We look forward to seeing you there!
Location:
Amazon IXD – VGT2
6401 E Howdy Wells Ave,
Las Vegas, NV 89115
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