ONHTEC STUDIO 2003: Interview w/ Brian Garavuso, CIO Interstate Hotels & Resorts & CHTP Council Chair - An introduction to 'Certified Hospitality Technology Professional' (CHTP) Certification

CHTP Qualification Requirements
To earn the CHTP designation, applicants must pass a four-hour examination covering a wide range of technology principles. To qualify to take the exam, an applicant must have earned a minimum of 100 points which are awarded for evidence of an applicants's education, industry experience and/or HFTP or AH&LA membership. Here's a breakdown of the points and categories:

Education: The types of education eligible for points are an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, graduate degree, college credit for hours above and beyond conferred degrees; HFTP/Educational Institute workshops and seminars that are technology-related; and non-HFTP workshops and seminars which are technology-related. The successful applicant must earn a minimum of 40 points in this category.

Experience: Points are earned annually based upon your specific work experience. Key areas of knowledge include: telecommunications systems; specialized systems specific to a particular segment of the hospitality industry (i.e. clubs, hotels, casinos, etc.); systems administration and operation; management practices; and property-based applications such as property management, accounting, and food and beverage. The successful applicant must receive a minimum of 40 points in this category.

HFTP/AH&LA Membership: Although membership is not required to take the exam, 10 points will be awarded for each year of membership in HFTP or AH&LA.

Click here to learn more!

As chief technology officer of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Brian Garavuso provides strategic direction and information technology management for the company; its portfolio of managed properties; and its subsidiary, BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide. He also is charged with leading NetEffect Alliance, Interstate Hotels & Resorts' technology subsidiary, which specializes in providing products and services to the hospitality industry. Washington, D.C.-based Interstate Hotels & Resorts is the nation's largest independent hotel management company, operating more than 400 hospitality and leisure properties with approximately 86,000 hotel rooms. BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide is one of the world's largest corporate housing providers, offering upscale, fully furnished corporate housing throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and 39 additional countries through its network partners

About HFTP - Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and IT personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,300 members around the world. In addition to administering the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations, HFTP also produces the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). HITEC® is the most comprehensive meeting of its kind in the hospitality industry. It addresses the use of technology in the industry and brings together buyers and sellers of technology under one roof. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants. HFTP® and HITEC® are registered service marks of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. For more information visit www.hftp.org.

Kevin Heilbronner is the US Editor for wiredhotelier.com and hospitalitynet.org, providing streaming multimedia-content for these websites. Based outside of Washington DC, Heilbronner has worked with Hsyndicate to conduct interviews at several hospitality trade shows in the US and Europe over the last couple of years. His column and content are featured in the Hospitality Net weekly newsletter. A familiar voice in Washington, DC, Heilbronner is the stadium announcer for the NBA's Washington Wizards, WNBA's Washington Mystics and WUSA's Washington Freedom. He resides in Centreville, VA and can be reached via email: [email protected].