Laura Calin, Senior Vice President of Oracle Hospitality, was honored by Hospitality Technology with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Hotel Visionary Awards. Recognized for her unwavering commitment to the hospitality technology industry, Calin’s remarkable career spans more than 30 years, during which she has significantly improved the way hoteliers approach operations, guest experiences, and innovation.
A Legacy of Innovation in Hospitality Tech
Beginning her journey with MICROS in 1994, Calin played an instrumental role in the creation of the OPERA property management system. Her vision and expertise have been pivotal in the global expansion of OPERA and the launch of Oracle OPERA Cloud, a cloud-native platform that has set a new standard in hospitality technology. Calin’s leadership has helped serve more than 45,000 hotels, casinos, and cruise lines worldwide embrace advanced, scalable solutions that enhance operational efficiency and foster innovation.
“An exceptional leader and visionary, Laura embodies the character, commitment, and integrity represented by the Hotel Visionary Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Alex Alt, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Consumer Industries. “As a 30-year industry veteran, she has made extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry through product strategy and innovation that have created exceptional experiences for hoteliers and hotel guests alike. Her unwavering commitment to the advancement of hospitality technology can be witnessed in the business efficiencies and revenue growth realized by hoteliers worldwide. She truly is the embodiment of a lifetime achievement award.”
Transforming Hotel Technology with OPERA Cloud and OHIP
One of Calin’s most significant achievements has been spearheading the development of Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP), which revolutionized integrations by offering a self-service platform with more than 3,000 APIs. This innovation empowered hoteliers to adopt new technologies quickly and seamlessly, paving the way for unprecedented levels of agility and creativity in delivering personalized guest experiences.
Under her guidance, the release of OPERA Cloud Central brought a unified platform for enterprise management, distribution, and property operations, eliminating traditional silos and enabling hoteliers to operate with greater efficiency. Hotels like Scandic, Omni Hotels, and Red Sea Global have embraced the platform, underscoring its transformative impact on the industry.
Championing Mentorship and Diversity in Tech
Beyond her contributions to product innovation, Calin has also been a champion of mentorship and diversity in technology leadership. She has led numerous initiatives within Oracle to support women in technology and foster the next generation of hospitality tech leaders. Her dedication to professional development is reflected in the success of many former colleagues who have gone on to hold senior leadership positions across the industry.
Reflecting on Calin’s leadership, Tanya Pratt, GVP of Oracle Hospitality Strategy & Product Management, shared a personal anecdote:
“Almost 20 years ago, I met Laura under challenging circumstances as a customer dealing with post-implementation issues. From our very first conversation, her empathy, authority, and determination stood out. She not only resolved the situation but demonstrated a leadership style that inspired everyone around her. For someone who wasn’t born into hospitality, she truly makes it seem like it’s part of her DNA.”
Driving Growth and Industry Partnerships
In the past year, Calin’s relentless drive for innovation has also led to noticeable results. For example, Oracle saw a 300% increase in customers adopting OPERA Cloud, alongside the addition of more than 1,400 new features designed to meet the evolving needs of hoteliers. These accomplishments are a testament to her ability to lead teams that consistently deliver groundbreaking solutions.
Beyond her product leadership, Calin has been instrumental in driving Oracle’s industry partnerships, working closely with brands, independent hoteliers, and technology partners to shape the future of hospitality. Her ability to bridge the gap between technological advancements and real-world hotel operations has made her an invaluable force in the industry.
“Laura has been an instrumental force in shaping the future of hotel technology through her leadership, innovation, and customer-centric approach,” said David Meltzer, Senior Vice President Global Sales, Oracle Hospitality. “Her contributions extend far beyond any single project or product, with her vision setting new standards for efficiency, personalization, and guest satisfaction, and how hotels fundamentally operate and serve their guests.”
A Lasting Impact on Hospitality
Calin remains a driving force in hospitality technology, continuously pushing boundaries to bring innovative solutions to market. With her ongoing leadership, she is set to shape the industry for years to come, ensuring that hoteliers are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in an evolving digital landscape.
“Thank you so much for this incredible honor,” Calin said. “I’ve always been motivated by the intersection of technology and hospitality—how we can make a difference in the way this industry functions and shapes people’s experiences when traveling. This award isn’t just mine. It reflects the hard work and dedication of the teams I’ve had the pleasure to lead and work with. Together, we’ve made the impossible possible. I’m deeply grateful for their belief in me, and for the opportunity to contribute to an industry that has always been close to my heart.”
