PlayHost Hackathon | Innovating Hospitality Through Technology

On January 9, 2026, the Department of Hospitality and Event Management at PES University, in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), hosted the PlayHost Hackathon at the CIE office. This dynamic event provided students with an immersive experience in ideation and tech-driven innovation for the hospitality industry.

About the Event
The day-long hackathon kicked off at 9:00 AM with an introduction and welcome address, followed by keynote presentations from Dr. Jaykumar V, Tarun Rama, and Sathya Prasad. Participants then engaged in three high-energy sprints, culminating in final presentations and certificate distribution.

Event Highlights
Students from II and IV semesters of BBA-HEM collaborated in a fast-paced environment to conceptualize and develop hospitality-focused applications and platforms. The challenge encouraged participants to:

Identify gaps in the hospitality industry.
Create innovative solutions that blend technology with hospitality.
Experience real-world problem-solving under time constraints.

The quote that resonated throughout the event was:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Learning Outcomes

Understanding the importance of addressing industry gaps before implementing ideas.
Strengthening teamwork and collaboration in a competitive setting.
Gaining insights into entrepreneurship and its synergy with hospitality through CIE.

Participation
The hackathon witnessed 51 attendees, including enthusiastic students and faculty, making it a vibrant platform for creativity and innovation.