What is CodeFest?

Do you know how vital technology is to travel and hospitality?

From reservation systems to property management, from mobile apps and websites to content management, from carts and bookings to order fulfilment and backend financials, everything runs on technology! 

Pamplin College of Business is partnering with Marriott International to conduct CodeFest, a competitive event that will bring teams of students together for 48 hours to build functioning prototypes of innovative technology solutions that solve real-world challenges and tap into novel business opportunities in the travel and hospitality space. Marriott International and its foundation are long-time partners of the university.  Marriott International was awarded the Pamplin Corporate Ambassador in 2023. The Marriott Foundation has supported scholarships, a professorship and the future Feiertag Department of HTM Hokie Lab that will be in the interdisciplinary Global Business and Analytics Complex.

This is also a great opportunity for networking and professional exposure.  It also offers students a unique and exciting platform to showcase creativity, apply technical skills, collaborate with peers, and build something that can benefit -- or revolutionize -- the hospitality industry.

During CodeFest, teams comprised of no more than five students will work together from Friday evening October 10 through 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, October 12.

You needn’t be a Marriott Bonvoy member to win. However in order to redeem the prizes, the winning individuals or teams must join Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, which is at no cost to the registrant.

After registration, all participating students will receive instructions via Canvas. Teams will be provided with a template for the structure and outline of their presentations.

Three lucky teams will be awarded one of the following top honors during the closing ceremony: