The International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) announced today that Frank Wolfe, CAE, will join its executive committee for a three-year term (2019-2021). Wolfe is a 35-year veteran of hospitality and is celebrating his 28th year as CEO of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®).

"IH&RA is honored to have some of the hospitality industry's icons like Frank Wolfe to serve on our executive committee and board of directors," said Dr. Ghassan Aidi, president of IH&RA. "As the oldest business organization since 1869, representing hospitality in the world and the only hospitality organization officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA as the voice of the private sector lobby tirelessly on behalf of the industry. It takes volunteers like Frank to make our organization successful."

Wolfe joins a stellar group of industry executives from Switzerland, UAE, Kuwait, China, Spain, Argentina, UK and France. All members are volunteers who serve on behalf of their country and associations to lobby and advocate for the mutual interests of the hospitality Industry.

After leaving the Texas Restaurant Association, Wolfe became executive vice president/CEO of HFTP. He is the spokesperson for HFTP and frequently speaks on hospitality finance, technology, social media and travel issues to varied audiences and has presented in more than 25 countries. He is also a regular columnist for Hotel Management, Hospitality Upgrade and The Boardroom magazines. He has been featured in association, conference and industry publications and has appeared on several television network interviews and programs around the world. Wolfe's current and previous director positions include: International Hotel & Restaurant Association; American Hotel & Lodging Association; Dean's Advisory Board at Hilton College - University of Houston; University of Central Florida Rosen School of Hospitality Management and the Texas Society of Association Executives.

"I am proud to have Frank on my board" says Dr Aidi, "He has been a member for 20 years and I count personally on his advise, work, knowledge and friendship to help make our industry better."

"Serving on the Executive Committee of IH&RA is one of the greatest honors of my career," said Wolfe. "IH&RA provides an enormous service for hospitality from helping to limit human trafficking to its Emeraude Hotel program for sustainable development certification."

Any organization that has an interest in hospitality and would like to help further the IH&RA strategic goals can email [email protected] for more information.

About IH&RA

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association was founded in 1859 in Koblenz (Germany) and is the only business organization representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations throughout the world, and international and national hotel and restaurant chains representing some 50 brands. Officially recognized by the United Nations as the only hospitality organization representing hospitality, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry, estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employ 60 million people and contribute 950 billion USD annually to the global economy.

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.

Eliza Selig
Staff VP, Marketing and Communications
+1 512 220 4026
HFTP