Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) recently held its 57th Annual Convention & Tradeshow at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. Over 600 attendees gathered to celebrate the association's successful year with a convention full of targeted education sessions, numerous networking opportunities, access to leading suppliers at the tradeshow and awards to various individuals and chapters.

"I believe this year's Annual Convention & Tradeshow will go down as one of the best," said HFTP Global President Terry Price, CHAE, CHTP, CPA, CIO of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. "In a year where so much is changing in regards to how we do business, the convention was a great vehicle for insight into what the future might hold for the hospitality industry. Attendees were able to leave the convention with a greater understanding of the current climate in the hospitality industry thanks to relevant education sessions and priceless networking opportunities."

The education sessions were presented by experts from all segments of the hospitality industry. The three general sessions covered gaining a competitive advantage, maximizing your time and infusing humor into the work environment. The concurrent education sessions allowed attendees to discuss hot industry topics like maximizing capital expenditures on a tight budget, marketing in a Web 2.0 world, saving money by going green, providing customer service in an organization and more.

With a Welcome Reception and Exhibits on opening night, a special Thursday evening social event and the elegant President's Evening, attendees had the opportunity to network and socialize throughout the convention with colleagues and vendors. Meanwhile, the tradeshow featured exhibitors representing a variety of hospitality products and services.

“The HFTP Annual Convention represents a unique opportunity to meet with professionals in the hospitality industry at an event that focuses on a wide variety of topics, like control and operational improvements," said Andrew Bates, president of Softrak Systems, Inc. and exhibitor at the 2009 Annual Convention & Tradeshow. "The organization of the event maximized quality time with the attendees and allowed a level of interaction rarely made available to exhibitors.”

The Annual Convention was also a time for recognition of individuals and chapters. Agnes L. DeFranco, Ed.D., CHAE and Stephen M. LeBruto, CPA, CHAE, Ed.D. were both honored with the Paragon Award for their hard work and dedication to higher education, the hospitality industry and HFTP. Tony Kopp, CPA, CHAE, owner of his own tax and hospitality consulting practice in San Francisco, Calif., was honored as the CHAE of the Year for scoring the highest on the CHAE exam in the past year. HFTP also awarded the Chapter of the Year. The winners, formatted with three tiers of winners based on number of members, included the First Coast Chapter (1-35 members), Bay Area Club Chapter (36-70 members) and Mid-Florida Chapter (71+ members).

The 2010 HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow is October 11-14, 2010 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, Calif. For more information, visit the conference web site or contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

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

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