Commitment to Knowledge: HFTP Celebrates Robert Mandelbaum’s Impact in Hospitality Research

Robert Mandelbaum, Research Director at CBRE Hotel Research, has long been a leader and educator in hospitality financial research and a dedicated contributor to HFTP. It is with great honor that HFTP will present Mandelbaum with the 2024 HFTP Paragon Award, recognizing his significant and lasting contributions to both the association and the hospitality industry. Mandelbaum will receive the award during the HFTP 2024 Annual Convention at the Keynote Session on October 23.

It is so special to receive this recognition from the volunteer leaders and professional staff at HFTP. I know how much time and effort they put into HFTP, so I am flattered that they recognize my contributions to the association. I am humbled when I look at the list of past winners of the HFTP Paragon award.

I have always felt so comfortable and welcome at HFTP and being active in the association has enabled me to establish relationships with global leaders in the field of hospitality finance, which has provided great benefit to me professionally. Plus, where else can I be with a group of people who share the same passion for P&L statements as I do? Robert Mandelbaum

With a career spanning over three decades, Robert has played a pivotal role in shaping hospitality research and financial analysis. At CBRE, he leads the production of the annual Trends® in the Hotel Industry. This report has an 86-year legacy and provides essential data used by professionals across the hospitality industry to make informed decisions about hotel operating performance and financial benchmarking.

Robert has also demonstrated his commitment to HFTP and industry standards through his involvement with the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). He worked on the revisions for the 10th and 11th editions. Recently he was an active member on the Global Finance Committee, a dedicated, 29-person group of highly-knowledgeable, industry financial leaders who worked on the revision over a span of three years. For the recently-released 12th Revised Edition, Robert extended his expertise by not-only participating in the revision process, he also worked collaboratively as an editor and helped develop educational resources, such as articles and presentations, to promote the newest edition.

In addition to his research work, Robert has served in numerous leadership roles within HFTP. He is currently a director on the HFTP Global Board. He also co-chaired the 2021 and 2022 HFTP Annual Convention Advisory Councils. He frequently shares his insights as a speaker at HFTP events, helping hospitality professionals stay informed about key financial and operational strategies.

Beyond his professional contributions, Robert is a dedicated volunteer, consistently giving his time and expertise to various industry organizations, including the Cornell Hotel Society, where he served as chapter president, regional vice president, and finally the global board as its president.

Robert Mandelbaum’s dedication to HFTP, his professional achievements, and his volunteer work have left a lasting impact on the hospitality community. His contributions embody the spirit of the Paragon Award, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.