AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA | Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is currently accepting nominations for the prestigious Paragon Award, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to both HFTP and the hospitality industry. Since 1999, 12 people have been recognized with a Paragon Award, and continuing with the tradition, HFTP honors this year’s winner(s) at the 2009 Annual Convention & Tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nev. Applications are due to the HFTP Global office by August 7.

“The countless people involved with HFTP are the backbone of this association," said Jules Sieburgh, CHTP, HFTP global president, chair of the Paragon Award council and hospitality consultant for O'Neal Consultants. “It is important to recognize those who, not only give their time and talents towards the development of HFTP, but also create a legacy in the hospitality industry.”

Past winners include Alice Banks, CHAE (1999); Henry "Buddy" Weeks, CHAE (1999); Frank Santos, CHAE, CHA (2000); Katherine Cavanagh, CHAE (2001); Raymond Schmidgall, Ph.D., CPA, CHAE (2002); Frank Wolfe, CAE (2002); Len Bartello, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2003); John J. Cahill, CHA, CHTP (2004); Wendy Zurstadt, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2005); Richard Braa, CHAE (2006); Robert Patasnick, CPA (2007); and George Glazer (2008).

Paragon Award nominees can be HFTP members; representatives of industry-related associations, societies, trade publications; or leaders from hospitality businesses, educational institutions and other related disciplines. To be eligible for selection, an individual must first be nominated by someone who has worked with or is familiar with the nominated individual’s work. The nomination must then be seconded and accompanied by three supporting letters of recommendation. No more than two of the nominators/recommendation writers can be from the same employer, association (other than HFTP) or educational institution.

The Paragon Award nomination form is available on the HFTP web site and is due to the HFTP Global office by August 7. A panel of industry experts selects the award winner(s), who will be recognized at the 2009 HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow.

Online registration is now available for the Annual Convention & Tradeshow being held September 16-19 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. The convention offers attendees a way to find cost-effective solutions to their current work challenges, stay informed on the hottest industry topics, expand their network, increase their professional value and become empowered.

For more information about nominating an individual for the Paragon Award, contact the HFTP Membership Department at (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333 x19, or by e-mail at [email protected].

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