As the hospitality industry continues to grow, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) welcomed three new chapters to the organization. The Greater Missouri Chapter, the Boston University Student Chapter and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Chapter join the other 58 HFTP chapters around the world.

The St. Louis Chapter, disbanded in 2003, has been reorganized as the Greater Missouri Chapter, which now serves hospitality financial and technical professionals from clubs, hotels, theme parks and casinos in Missouri and surrounding areas. The chapter’s 20 members will meet quarterly and the location will rotate throughout Missouri, usually among the members` hotel and club properties. The chapter`s meetings will include networking opportunities and an educational element that will address current trends and topics in the hospitality industry. The first official chapter meeting will be in July.

“We are thrilled to have an HFTP chapter once again in the state of Missouri,” said Pam Roth, CHAE, accounting manager for Missouri Athletic Club and Greater Missouri Chapter president. “It is our goal to grow our membership by hosting pertinent educational sessions that will benefit our members and providing networking opportunities that are invaluable.”

The Boston University Student Chapter will hold monthly meetings and general meetings twice a semester. The goal of the chapter is for its members to gain a better understanding of accounting and financial management in the hospitality industry and to enhance technical and management skills through a program of meetings, events and internships.

“We are thrilled to finally have an HFTP student chapter at Boston University, after maintaining a relationship with the New England chapters for several years,” said Scott Rousse, Boston University Student Chapter president. “Currently, our students see mostly the operational side of the industry. We are hoping that our student chapter will expose students to the world of accounting, finance, information technology and revenue management in hospitality and will stimulate post-graduation career interest in the industry.”

The Hong Kong Polytechnic Student Chapter is the first of its kind to be established in Asia and the second student chapter outside of North America. The chapter will provide a forum for students who are keen on making a difference in the finance and technology sectors of the hospitality industry.

Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP CEO and executive vice president, and Agnes DeFranco, Ed.D., CHAE, professor at the University of Houston and HFTP international president, recently visited the newly formed HFTP Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Chapter on Friday, May 11 at the Millennium Restaurant to celebrate its charter. Wolfe and DeFranco addressed the chapter, emphasizing the benefits of HFTP membership and the opportunities that await them in the future.

“Thank you to HFTP for their continuous support to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Chapter,” said Henry Tsai, Ph.D., CHE, assistant professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and HFTP student chapter advisor. “Wolfe’s and DeFranco’s meetings with the student members in both formal and informal settings helped the students realize the opportunities and challenges ahead of them and encouraged them to work harder for success.”

Greater Missouri Chapter officers include:

• President - Pam Roth, CHAE, accounting manager for Missouri Athletic Club


• Vice President - Stan Brickman, controller at the Westin Hotel St. Louis


• Secretary/Treasurer - Beverly Spath, CPA, CHAE, controller at the Country Club of St. Albans

Boston University Student Chapter officers include:

• President - Scott Rousse


• Vice President - Nicholas Farina


• Treasurer - Anne Campbell


• Secretary - Jessica Mezmar


• Board/Committee Members - Heung Kwag, Ph. D., CHA