CISCO, IBM and MICROSOFT Executives to Provide Technology Views at HFTP's "Top of Technology" Fundraising Gala at HITEC 2006

The exclusive, invitation-only "Top of Technology" fundraising event is to benefit HFTP-supported hospitality schools. The event will be held Monday, June 19, 2006 at the "Windows on Minnesota," managed by The Marquette Hotel, a Four Diamond AAA Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn. The event will coincide with the 2006 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), June 19-22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., the expert panel presentation from 6:30 * 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by an elegant dinner.

"Since HFTP's inception, a major focus of the association has been to provide educational support to the hospitality industry, including endowments at major hospitality schools," said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP executive vice president and CEO. "The Top of Technology fundraiser will be an opportunity for today's industry leaders to support tomorrow's leaders, and build relationships with each other."

Due to space limitations, invitations to purchase the $100 tickets will be limited to the "Top of Technology" * power buyers of technology products and services, and their counterparts; and vendor executives who own and manage the companies, and who supply these technologies and services.

Upon arriving, guests will be greeted by the renowned expanse of the Windows on Minnesota vista seen through 11-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows, and a room illuminated by the night sky.

All profits from this fund-raising event will be distributed to hospitality schools that are supported by HFTP, including: Conrad N. Hilton School of Hotel Management at the University of Houston; Cornell University School of Hotel Administration; Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration; William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business; University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management; University of Delaware Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management; Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management; and Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne.

Produced by HFTP, HITEC features an exhibition with over 640 exhibits displaying the latest hospitality technology products and services geared to the hospitality industry. Debuting this year is GUESTROOM 2010, a 90 x 40 foot pavilion featuring some of the latest and near-future technologies for the modern hotel room. HITEC also offers an exceptional education conference with presentations from experts representing all segments of the industry. Over 5,000 attendees are expected at HITEC.

About HFTP - Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,600 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hotel Accountants.

HFTP® and HITEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. ProLinks is a service mark of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.