CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals inducted two new members into the 2024 HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame today at the 2024 HITEC in Charlotte, N.C. Floor Bleeker and Terence Ronson both were recognized for their service in innovating hospitality in the EMEA and APAC regions respectively.
Bleeker is Accor Group’s chief technology officer, leading and providing oversight of technology strategy for all of the group’s hospitality businesses around the world. Ronson is the founder of Pertlink Ltd. and has revolutionized technology-forward hospitality experiences across Asia.
The International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame is HFTP's highest level of recognition in technology. Since 1989, 55 individuals have received this award as a reflection of their contributions to the hospitality industry.
Floor Bleeker
“Being the first in the Middle East to receive this award makes me proud and is a testament to what we have achieved in the region,” Bleeker said. “Our industry has given me endless opportunities and great friends. I also want to acknowledge the teams, partners and vendors for everything they have done for me along the way.”
Bleeker became interested in hospitality technology while studying for his bachelor's degree in hotel administration from Hotelschool The Hague. Following graduation, he advanced from a management trainee at Radisson to IT manager at The Emirates Academy in Dubai, following his MBA from the University of Colorado. His achievements with Jumeirah, where he rose to vice president of business solutions, laid the groundwork for his subsequent role as CIO at Mövenpick. There, he tackled significant challenges in solution centralization and change management.
When Accor acquired Mövenpick in 2018, Bleeker was retained as EMEA CIO where he played a crucial role in strategic IT programs. He helped shape Accor's IT modernization plans in emerging markets. In 2020, Bleeker joined Accor's executive committee as CTO, further advancing to the management board in 2023.
Terence Ronson
“This induction into the Hall of Fame marks a dream realized,” Ronson said. “Just being nominated was an honor, but to actually join the ranks of industry giants in the hospitality technology sector is a career-defining milestone and a lifetime achievement.”
Ronson’s career is a testament to his unwavering dedication and visionary leadership in the hospitality technology sector. From chef to technologist, Ronson's journey in the industry highlights the power of innovation.
Ronson’s career began with managing guest experiences at numerous London and APAC properties. He transitioned into the property management system market and helped found Pertlink Ltd. in 2000. Achievements during his early years in consulting included the opening of Rosedale on the Park in Hong Kong, the country’s first boutique cyber hotel, which led to the creation of HOTELINMYHAND, the industry's first digital application.
Other industry firsts included Vietnam’s first five-star hotel with free wireless internet, Hong Kong’s first high-tech senior living facilities and Accor’s first Opera property in Beijing. Ronson also played a crucial role as a food-and-beverage point-of-sale consultant for Disney’s theme park in Shanghai. He has lectured at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel Tourism and Management, chaired the Tomorrow’s Guest Room initiative for Hotel ICON and helped inaugurate the school’s Samsung Technology Lab.