AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (December 9, 2008) – Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett welcomed attendees during the Welcome Reception of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals' (HFTP®) Caribbean Finance and Technology Professionals Conference. For the third year, the conference gathers hospitality industry professionals to discuss important issues surrounding the Caribbean region. The conference runs December 7-9, 2008 at the luxurious Rose Hall Resort & Spa, a Hilton Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

During his welcome speech, Bartlett stressed the importance of education conferences like the Caribbean Finance and Technology Professionals Conference during difficult economic times. He also expressed appreciation towards hospitality professionals and their importance to Jamaica's tourism infrastructure. Bartlett is a marketing executive and long-standing Parliamentarian in Jamaica. He was appointed the Minister of Tourism of Jamaica during a time when Jamaica is experiencing substantial infrastructure development in its tourism industry. Bartlett has expressed determination to focus on marketing, product development and investment in keeping Jamaica in the forefront of Caribbean tourism.

The conference, produced by HFTP, focuses on hot finance and technology topics in the Caribbean region. Aligning with the interests of Caribbean hospitality industry professionals, HFTP designed an education program with timely topics that cover Caribbean travel and tourism trends, how to maximize existing technology and upgrades, operation internal controls and more.

Besides the Caribbean Finance and Technology Professionals Conference, HFTP annually produces HITEC, EHTEC, the Club and Hotel Controllers Conferences, Asian Hospitality Finance and Technology Conference andthe HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow. For more information about these conferences, visit www.hftp.org.

For more information about the conference, contact the Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or +1 (512) 249-5333 x31.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in the EU and Middle East. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

Katy Walterscheidt
Communications Specialist
+1 (512) 249-5333 (Ext 27)
HFTP