AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Tough times call for tough decisions and strategies, and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is taking a proactive position by offering a series of online resources on smart exhibiting. The resources, designed to help companies survive and thrive during the current recession, are available for free to exhibitors of the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), produced by HFTP. HITEC exhibitors have access to a live web cast on March 11, 2009, presented by an exhibit marketing expert, as well as a series of articles designed to help exhibitors excel during trade show hours.

“It is in everybody’s interest to find success at HITEC 2009,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP CEO. “We realize that this year may be more challenging for exhibitors than in previous years, and it is HFTP’s aim to assist HITEC exhibitors with a game plan that ends with results.”

The first web cast, “Surviving and Thriving Through the Recession with Smart Exhibiting,” is presented by tradeshow expert Jefferson Davis, president of Competitive Edge. The session offers critical exhibiting information along with the perspectives and practices used by successful companies to not just survive, but thrive in these tough economic times.

Topics include:

  • Lean exhibiting: How to save money and get more bang for your tradeshow buck;
  • How to measurably reduce selling and customer acquisition costs;
  • Who to focus on and where to focus your tradeshow efforts for value and quick results;
  • The No. 1 rule for business success in tough economic times; and
  • Quick and easy techniques to attract more buyers, improve lead quality and close more business from tradeshows in 2009 and beyond.

The live 45 minute presentation is Wednesday, March 11 at 2 p.m. EST. Access to this web cast (a $195 value) and the supplemental articles are provided free to HITEC 2009 exhibitors.

HITEC 2009 exhibitors can register via e-mail to HFTP’s Chapter & Meetings Assistant Krista Staats at [email protected]. Those interested should include “Webcast Registration” in the subject line, name, company, e-mail address and phone number.

About HITEC

HITEC 2009 offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services from over 300 companies. Education sessions address timely topics like green technology, social media, bandwidth and revenue management in a changing economy. The trade show features extended hours on Tuesday, along with the Club Technology Pavilion and a new version of GUESTROOM 20X.

About HFTP

HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC — founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology — the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit .

Katy Walterscheidt
Public Relations & Social Media Manager
HFTP