Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals has named two champions of hospitality technology—Mark G. Haley and Raman (R.P.) Rama—as the 2021 HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame inductees. The two are being recognized for their experience and leadership in promoting hospitality innovation and technology as well as sharing their knowledge.
Haley is co-founder and partner at Prism Hospitality Consulting. Rama is president and CTO/CIO at Sarona Hotels, Investments & Premier Management Services. Both will be honored at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference in Dallas on Sept. 28.
The International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame is HFTP's highest level of recognition in the area of technology. Since 1989, 49 individuals have received this award as a reflection of their contributions to the hospitality industry.
Throughout his career, Rama has continuously sought out and implemented technology solutions to support the operations of his hotels. This includes upgrading computer systems, implementing new accounting software and developing custom software that output management reports for data comparison across the company’s hotels. Now as president and CTO/CIO at Sarona Hotels, Investments & Premier Management Services, he has invested in 24 hotels, as well as numerous hospitality-focused technology companies, including a variety of start-ups. Rama has been heavily involved in the industry, including serving as HFTP global president from 2012–2013. He was also recognized with the HFTP Paragon Award in 2016. In addition, Rama is a frequent speaker at industry events, most recently at HITEC Dubai in May 2021.
At Prism Hospitality Consulting, Haley offers strategy development, marketplace positioning, internet marketing, needs analysis, system selection, RFP development and project management, specifically focusing on adapting the business and the use of technology to each other, and moving business processes to the internet. Prior to founding Prism in 2001, he founded and led High Touch Technologies, a consulting firm. Previous to this, Haley worked at ITT Sheraton for 15 years in a broad range of positions of increasing responsibility at every level in the organization, beginning as a guest service agent. In his last role at Sheraton, he served as director of property technology, responsible for the alignment of business and technology strategies. He is a past president of the HFTP New England Chapter, past chair of the AH&LA Technology Committee and serves on the HITEC North America Advisory Council.