35 Years Strong: A Journey of Growth, Gratitude, and Future Ambitions

Thirty-five years. When you write that number down, it feels like a lifetime. But when you live it, day by day, project by project, conference by conference, it passes in the blink of an eye. 

It is hard to imagine that it was 35 years ago when I walked into the office for the International Association of Hospitality Accountants (IAHA), now Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association (HFTP), for my first day on this journey. Coming from a much larger association, I was a bit hesitant walking down the short hallway to my office, which was literally a storage closet that had been remodeled. There was enough room for a desk, purchased from a yard sale, a chair that barely fit behind the desk, a small bookcase and a guest chair.  It was also where I learned to "smoke" cigars because the ceilings were drop down and the aroma from the offices next door leaked into our offices. Little did I know that this humble little group of offices was going to be the launch pad for the organization that our members and staff have built today. 

This week marks my 35th anniversary with HFTP. Reaching this milestone has given me pause to look back at where we started and marvel at where we are today. The hospitality finance and technology landscape looked vastly different three-and-a-half decades ago. We didn’t have the instant connectivity (remember those sounds of AOL connecting?), the different lines of business or the global reach we enjoy now. Yet, through every technological revolution and industry shift, this association hasn’t just survived, it has thrived. 

We have grown into a global powerhouse, connecting professionals across continents. We’ve launched groundbreaking events, developed essential certifications and built a community that is the envy of the industry. None of this happened by accident. It happened because of the community who has given up vast amounts of their lives to make HFTP, and the industry, a success. 

I need to extend my deepest gratitude to the HFTP Global Board of Directors—both past and present. Your strategic vision and unwavering trust have allowed us to take risks and innovate. You have been the steady hand guiding this ship, and your support has been the foundation of my career here. 

To the HFTP staff: you are the engine that keeps us moving. Your dedication, creativity and hard work behind the scenes are what make our successes possible. You turn big ideas into reality and it is my privilege to work alongside such a talented team. As the old saying goes, “Hospitality is not a job, it is a lifestyle” and the HFTP staff make that true. 

And to our HFTP members: thank you. You are the heart of this association. Your passion for industry and your commitment to your own professional growth inspire me every single day. You challenge us to be better, to provide more value and to stay ahead of the curve. 

This anniversary isn't just about looking back though. It’s about looking forward. This year alone, we are expanding more extensively in Europe, have chartered the first HFTP London Chapter, completing partnerships that will add a HITEC Tokyo Conference and a HITEC Paris Conference, increasing our offerings at the HFTP Academy, creating the Hospitality Artificial Intelligence Council, and before HITEC San Antonio, will open our HFTP India Office. 

The pace of change in our industry isn't slowing down, and neither am I. With continued good health and the support of the HFTP Global Board of Directors, members and staff, I plan to stay right here, pushing us forward. My plan is to sit down to write a column reflecting my 45th anniversary and HFTP's 84th year. 

The only constant in our vertical is change. If you are reading this and have not joined our association, please do.  We have many more problems to solve and education to provide that will move our industry forward. Learn more at hftp.org.