The 2008 HFTP Compensations & Benefits Survey shows hospitality professionals have a diverse range of job functions, spending up to 40 percent of their time on tasks unrelated to their job title. Recognizing these growing demands of the hospitality professional, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) recently held its brand new HFTP Development Conference. The conference, held March 15-16 at the InterContinential Hotel in New Orleans, La., offered quality education and networking that emphasized technology for the non-IT professional, human resources and leadership development.

Developed from a survey of hospitality professionals, the conference program was designed to meet expanding job responsibilities. Topics covered technology trends in the hospitality industry, leadership lessons from Hurricane Katrina, IT solutions for smaller properties, human resources help, fraud trends and more. "The Development Conference has enabled attendees to go back to their workplaces with improved insights into their leadership roles," said Elaine McPherson, partner at E=MC2 The Centre for Business Excellence and conference attendee. "Thanks to the conference, we are now better equipped to resume our leadership roles and improve our contributions to our employers, executive teams and clients."

Like all HFTP conferences, the Development Conference also included various opportunities to network with colleagues. The Welcome Reception, sponsored by the HFTP Greater New Orleans Chapter, provided a relaxed atmosphere for networking with the added entertainment of a live Jazz band and second line parade. "We in the HFTP Greater New Orleans Chapter viewed the HFTP Development Conference as a unique chance to increase our skills, to meet new friends and to reconnect with others. We were not disappointed," said Bob Oprea, CHAE, CHTP, controller at Le Pavillon Hotel. "It also gave us an opportunity to showcase our city's culture and hospitality to an association that has immeasurably contributed to our professional and personal growth."

For more information about the HFTP Development Conference, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] , (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

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

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