Letter from the HFTP Global President: At the End of the Year, We Reflect on the Best of the Year

Written By: Timothy G. Nauss, CHAE...As we prepare to transition to the new HFTP Global board at the 2018 Annual Convention in October, I would like to take the time to reflect on my year serving as HFTP Global president....Through rigorous research, council work, event planning and resource development, we have all been assiduously working towards the same goal this year as we do every year – which is to offer invaluable opportunities that set hospitality financial and technology professionals on the surest path towards career excellence....There are a few triumphs that stood out in particular during my tenure:...HFTP’s commitment to cybersecurity research and its swift, prolific response to GDPR enacted in May...The enactment of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) earlier this year was a very significant piece of legislation that affected companies all across the globe. Compliance required a great deal of forethought, preparation, awareness and education. HFTP and the GDPR HDPO Task Force tackled the issue head-on, providing an array of GDPR resources to help its members sufficiently prepare for compliance....The HFTP Americas Research Center and Asia Research Center have also recently produced a series of articles focused on cybersecurity, several of which have been published to HFTP Connect including: Business Continuity Plans; The Challenge for Hotels When It Comes to Securing Their Systems; Outsourcing Cybersecurity and Contracts; and In the Event of a Cyberattack: Public Relations and Responding to the Media. More of these articles will become available on HFTP Connect during the month of September....Their diligent research on cybersecurity extends to the white paper Data Security: Hospitality released earlier this year....The proactive campaign to engage young hospitality professionals at major events like HITEC and through specially designed council work...When I began my term as president, I thought about the things I wanted to achieve. One of these goals was to integrate young professionals into more active roles in the association. To accomplish this, the HFTP Young Professionals council was revived — applications were accepted, the council was established, and its members now meet regularly to discuss initiatives. ...Many young professionals attended HITEC Houston this past June, and the council is hosting a special event at the HFTP Annual Convention this fall. Click here to learn more and RSVP if you would like to attend.The vigorous commitment to scholarships for students in hospitality ...I was proud to spend the last year leading an association that has demonstrated its social consciousness and magnanimity in supporting students studying for careers in hospitality. The future of any industry is rooted in its future leaders. That is why we raise funds for the HFTP General Scholarship. We have set a large goal that we are on track to meet by October 31, 2018. The HFTP Helps initiative should assist us in meeting that goal prior to the deadline. HFTP Helps at the 2018 Annual Convention has partnered with NAF to raise funds for the HFTP General Scholarship. These funds will be directed to local hospitality, finance and technology centered education programs overseen by NAF in the Kentucky area. I invite you to learn more about NAF and how its unique educational design ensures high school students are college, career and future ready....You can donate to the HFTP Helps initiative in one of four ways: 1. Attend the Thursday night social at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Learn more about this special event and register to attend today. 2. Donate to the HFTP Helps Silent Auction. To donate, email [email protected]. 3. Or, bid on an available auction item online. You do not have to attend Annual Convention to donate or bid in the silent auction. 4. You can also make a monetary donation by logging in to your HFTP account online and visiting the "My Giving" page....The transition to the next HFTP Global board takes place next month during the Annual Convention's "Tribute to Success" gala on Friday night. I will remain on the incoming board of directors as immediate past president. I am pleased to welcome Scot Campbell, CHTP as the 2018–2019 HFTP Global board president, and wish him all the best as he leads the association into a new year full of possibilities.

Mark your calendars for 2018–2019 HITEC DUBAI December 5-6, 2018 in Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates HITEC EUROPE April 9-11, 2019 at the Palau de Congressos in Palma, Mallorca, Spain CLUB SUMMIT March 11-12, 2019 at the Doubletree by Hilton Nashville Downtown in Nashville, Tennessee USA HITEC MINNEAPOLIS June 17-20, 2019 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA CLUB AND HOTEL CONTROLLERS CONFERENCE (CHCC) June 17-19, 2019, co-located with HITEC Minneapolis

Revisit Past Letters from the 2017–2018 HFTP Global President: A New Year Equals New Possibilities HFTP's Latest Initiatives Fit Nicely into the Overall Picture HFTP Builds on Past Initiatives to Forge Ahead to the Future Budgeting and Planning are Integral to Success

Timothy G. Nauss, CHAE is the 2017–2018 president of the HFTP Global Board and currently serves as chief financial officer of Studio City Macau, an integrated casino resort located in Cotai, Macao.

2018 Annual Convention board education finance global HFTP hospitality letter President technology year in review