Shane’s Journey Expanding Hoteza in the Americas
Shane Pierce sharing his journey in hospitality technology, his path to Hoteza, and his role in expanding the company across North America. Get to know his approach to building trusted partnerships, growing in the US market, and driving Hoteza’s global success.
Q: Shane, before joining our company, you had a lot of experience. Could you tell us more about your background?
A: Absolutely. My entire career has been connected to technology and hospitality. I started in the telecom industry in the early 2000s, working with IT platforms during the transition from analog to IP services. Very quickly I became involved in IPTV, long before it became standard. Over time, I worked with hundreds of hotels across the United States and developed a strong understanding of both the technical and business sides of hotel technology. That mix of technical depth and customer-facing experience still defines the way I work.
Q: How did your connection with Hoteza begin?
A: When I was working at Allbridge, I met Nikolay, Hoteza’s CEO, and Dinos from EasyTech. They initially approached me about collaborating in the US market. That connection eventually led me to attend Hoteza Days 2023 in Cyprus, where I got to know the Hoteza team, partners, and platform up close, it helped me make the final decision. I officially joined in May 2024.
Q: What impressed you most during that event?
A: The openness of the team and partners. Everyone communicated clearly and worked together without barriers. I also saw the full capabilities of the platform in action. That experience played an important part in my decision.
Q: In your opinion, what are Hoteza’s key advantages over competitors?
"Hoteza offers a product that is simple to use, beautifully designed, and fast to install, which makes a real difference for hotels."
Q: What’s your role now?
A: I am the Director of Sales for North America, including the United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico. In addition to sales, I am also involved in installations and support. Being onsite helps me understand hotel operations better, and I always try to act as a trusted advisor. I want clients to feel confident that I understand their needs and that Hoteza has the right solutions for them.
Q: What’s your approach to building connections in the US market?
A: Everything starts with relationships. People pick up my calls because they trust me and my experience. I understand the challenges hotels face when they adopt a new platform, and I guide them through those processes. I also take a strategic approach. For example, one of my first appointments with Hoteza was a small 35 room property in Key West. That decision was intentional, because the owner also has larger hotels, and strong performance in one property can open the door to much bigger opportunities.
"Hoteza’s flexibility allows us to support hotels of any size, from boutique properties to large global brands, and that is a major advantage in the US market."
Q: What do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I love travelling, and it fits perfectly with my work. I have visited much of the United States, and now I am spending more time in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. I enjoy exploring new cultures, trying local food and wine, cooking, golf, and racing cars. Whenever possible, I meet with clients in a more relaxed setting — it helps build long-term relationships and uncover things you’d never learn in a formal office meeting.
Q: What’s important for Hoteza to focus on right now?
A: For me, there are two main priorities. The first is staying ahead of the technology curve. Many vendors in the US fell behind, and it is very difficult to catch up once that happens.
"Our platform is strong because it is built on modern IT architecture."
New hotels are fully IP based, and we are ready for that. The second is strengthening our marketing presence. As we grow in the US, people expect to see us at more events and within industry communities. It is important for Hoteza to be visible in those spaces and build our position as a trusted voice in the market.
Q: What challenges are you currently working through?
A: Every hotel has its own setup, which keeps the work interesting. Different switches, networks, vendors, and management styles create unique challenges. Right now, I am focused on a large project for a property with more than 1,000 rooms. It uses coax, Ethernet, and fiber at the same time, so we need to prepare for all scenarios. The work is complex, but, hopefully, it will soon become another success story for the company.
Q: What’s your learning focus now?
A: IPTV is my main background, but I am spending more time learning our full product ecosystem. Understanding the complete guest journey helps me advise clients more effectively. I also enjoy getting to know my colleagues and partners. Personal interactions always strengthen teamwork.
Q: What do you think is your contribution, especially being based in the US?
A: Many major hotel brands are headquartered in the United States, so being here gives us direct access to the decision makers. I bring long term relationships, market experience, and a solid understanding of what US hotels expect in terms of service and delivery. I also help bridge communication between global teams and American hotel brands, which is important as we continue to grow worldwide.
Q: Do you have any advice for newcomers to Hoteza?
A: Keep an open mind. We work across different cultures, time zones, and technologies, and that environment works best for people who enjoy collaboration. It is also important to understand our full product range.
"We do not offer a single product; we cover the entire guest journey."
Learning the full ecosystem opens the door to strong partnerships and new opportunities.
Q: And what about your future plans?
A: I want to support major hotel brands in adopting Hoteza and unlocking the full value of our platform. On a personal level, I hope to continue traveling and discovering new places. My goal is to grow our portfolio of successful Hoteza properties across the Americas while expanding my own list of visited countries. The future is all about growth both for me and for the company.