HFTP Announces 2026 Hospitality Technology Honors | News

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to recognize two hospitality technology champions. Mary Gerdts will be inducted into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame, recognized for developing groundbreaking payment technology for the hospitality industry. Gerdts is the founder and CEO of two payment processing companies, POST Integrations, Inc. and EboCom, LLC. Bob Gilbert will be recognized posthumously with the HFTP Award of Merit, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant innovation or breakthrough that paved a path for others in the field of hospitality technology. Gilbert served as president and CEO of HSMAI Americas for more than 30 years.

They will be recognized at HITEC 2026 on June 15-18 in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
The International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame is HFTP’s highest level of recognition in the technology field. Since 1989, 58 individuals have received this award reflecting their contributions to the hospitality industry. Gerdts will be recognized at the HITEC Tuesday Headliner session on June 16.
Gerdts stated, “I am extremely honored to be inducted into the HFTP Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame and recognized by my peers for my 35 years of technical excellence in hotel payments. It is a privilege to be among the incredible individuals who have walked this path before me. I am forever grateful to serve the hotel industry and be recognized for doing what I love.”

Gerdts founded POST Integrations in 1991, which exclusively provides payment processing services to the hospitality industry. EboCom is a fintech company founded in 2000 that provides back-office clearing and settlement payment processing to POST’s customers. Her visionary leadership in business and innovation in technology led to her being nominated for Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.”
Gerdts is also an active member of the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the global trade association representing payments and technology companies. She has held numerous leadership positions in the organization, including national chair. She was recognized with the ETA Member of the Year award in 2004 and was inducted into the ETA Hall of Fame in 2019. Gerdts was also recognized with the HFTP Paragon Award in 2019.
The HFTP Award of Merit, established in 2002, recognizes individuals who have made significant technological contributions and demonstrated longevity. The work done by those selected will have benefited the entire sector. Last awarded in 2017, HFTP recognizes Gilbert for driving innovation, technology adoption and commercial excellence in the global hotel industry. Gilbert will be recognized at the HITEC Opening Headliner session on June 15 and to commemorate this moment, HFTP will make an additional donation to the HSMAI Foundation.

HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, explains: “Bob’s leadership has fundamentally changed the way the hotel industry and commercial professionals interact with and use technology and data to strengthen revenue performance and adapt to an increasingly technology-driven marketplace. Today, his contributions continue to shape the capabilities, skills and strategic thinking of today’s commercial leaders in the hospitality industry.”

As CEO, Gilbert championed the creation of HSMAI’s expert communities in digital marketing and revenue management, accelerating the industry’s understanding of emerging commercial technologies and data-driven strategies. His leadership helped unify sales, marketing, distribution and revenue optimization under a more technology-enabled commercial strategy approach that most hotel companies follow today.
HITEC 2026 will take place from June 15 to 18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA. HITEC, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, is the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology trade show and conference. It offers a unique combination of world-class hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. The 2026 event expects more than 5,900 visitors and more than 370 exhibiting companies.