Infor Influence: A Vegas Odyssey of Tiki Bars, Punk Rock, and AI-Powered Hospitality

The Call to Adventure

Ernest Hemingway famously said, "Write about life, first you must live it." While I haven't quite reached Papa's level of adventurous living (bullfights and safaris are not on my calendar), a recent trip to Vegas for Infor's Influence event provided ample fodder for the writing muse. It all started with a LinkedIn post I wrote about the future of reporting—conversational AI—which somehow landed me an invitation to mingle with the who's who of hospitality influencers.

Vegas, baby!

Vegas, Day One: Tiki Dreams and Rooftop Revelations

My Vegas adventure began with a stylish tour of the Old Strip, courtesy of hospitality tech guru and fellow 10Minutes columnist, Mark Fancourt. His driving skills are both impressive and terrifying—imagine a Maserati driven like a Corolla. Our pre-noon activity? A deep dive into the legendary Frankie's Tiki Room, a 24/7 tropical fever dream fuelled by potent cocktails and Polynesian kitsch. I emerged, slightly dazed, clutching a Frankie's T-shirt and a cocktail recipe book. My liver, however, was less enthusiastic.

The evening saw a shift from tiki chaos to the elegant Allë Lounge on 66, perched atop The Conrad. The breathtaking view and endless vegetarian finger food were a welcome respite, punctuated by a jet lag-induced Greek conversation (long story). Before I knew it, I was back in my room, unconscious. (Side note: I did somehow manage a middle-of-the-night lecture for the University of Rome. Bad life choices.)

Vegas, Day Two: Infor, HAI, and the Sphere

Day two started with a deep dive into Infor's impressive metrics and the evolution of their hospitality division. Principle-Based Management, ethics, and the importance of loving your job were key themes, followed by a tech showcase featuring Infor HMS, SCS, and the venerable EzRMS.

The star of the show? Infor's Hospitality Analytics and Insights (HAI) platform, a conversational AI powerhouse designed to uncover hidden revenue opportunities. Imagine simply asking "Why is our RevPAR down?" and getting instant, actionable insights, rather than drowning in spreadsheets. Full disclosure: I'm not affiliated with Infor, but this is the kind of tech I've been dreaming of. Bravi!

From high-tech hospitality, we transitioned to the mind-bending Sphere, a giant LED orb showcasing "Postcard from Earth." The film's message of a beautiful yet fragile Earth contrasted sharply with the day's AI discussions, prompting a deep philosophical conversation with Neil Foster about the future we're building. Luckily, the existential dread was eased by a superb dinner at Ferraro's, where I enjoyed a phenomenal parmigiana (yes, even Americanized Italian food can be good) and a gifted bottle of wine.

Vegas, Day Three: The Reckoning, Q&A, and Punk Rock Destiny

Day three started with a no-holds-barred assessment of Infor's strengths and weaknesses. Key takeaways? Infor needs to amplify its presence, particularly in Europe, and streamline data migration processes. The discussion then shifted to the importance of engaging with hospitality schools and tailoring their approach to local markets.

The afternoon brought a lively Q&A session, covering everything from the impact of AI on jobs and reporting to the future of PMS systems and revenue management. The consensus? AI is transforming the industry, but full automation is still a ways off.

But the highlight of my trip happened after the conference. A visit to the Punk Rock Museum turned into an impromptu jam session with none other than Dez Cadena of Black Flag and The Misfits. Yes, that Dez Cadena. We played punk rock for hours, cementing my belief in karma and synchronicity. Viva Las Vegas, indeed.

Post Scriptum: The Voices of Influence

The true magic of Infor Influence lay in the people. Here's what some of the other attendees had to say:

"In the near future, success will depend not just on how well integrated your systems are, but on how inquisitive your team is." - Adam Mogelonsky, Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd.

"Technology should empower everyone...to build lifelong relationships with today's and tomorrow's travelers." - Alan Young, Infor