Living up to its reputation as an advantageous event the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP) Annual Convention & Tradeshow was once-again a great success…
Living up to its reputation as an advantageous event the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP) Annual Convention & Tradeshow was once-again a great success. More than 660 attendees came together October 27–30 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove (Anaheim), Calif. to attend education sessions covering important industry topics, network and to partake in HFTP`s Annual Business Meeting and International Board installation. The seventh annual tradeshow sold out exhibit space with 63 companies exhibiting.
“The Annual Convention & Tradeshow is when many of HFTP`s benefits converge,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP`s executive vice president/CEO. During the four days, education, recognition, networking and resources are combined elements that make up the event, exemplifying how valuable HFTP is to hospitality financial and technology professionals.
The HFTP membership is the only association that during both good times and bad they always seem to make it to their annual convention, said Richard Siegel, president and publisher of Hospitality Upgrade. It is one of my favorite events each year and the support of both the attendees and the exhibitors seems pretty unmatched in our industry.
The education program offered five different education tracks, including Club, Hotel, General, Technology and International, covering topics such as data mining, member relationship management, best practices for hiring, and more. In addition to the industry-relevant sessions, the conference featured the dynamic speakers Desi Williamson, Harry Paul and Giovanni Livera. All three are authors who offered entertaining and meaningful presentations.
Participation in this year`s HFTP Annual Convention was a great success for Birch Street, Tim Hayes, vice president, Sales and Business Development for Birch Street Systems a 2004 exhibitor. We met with numerous industry leading professionals who visited our booth to learn more about our e-Procurement offering. We fully intend to participate in next year`s convention.
The tradeshow, held Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon, featured exhibitors representing companies that offer a mix of hospitality industry services such as a variety of software, insurance, tax consultants, payroll services, human resources, high-speed Internet, Internet marketing, audio-visual equipment and financial management solution providers.
The HFTP Annual Convention allows us to interact with potential and current customers, said Brian S. Benjamin, vice president of Strategic Markets, Hospitality Sales for PAETEC Communications, Inc. a 2004 tradeshow exhibitor. It also provides the opportunity to gather an understanding of the current technology solutions offered by our peer industry vendors. This helps us stay abreast of current industry challenges which strengthens our solutions analysis for all our HFTP customers. We consider the HFTP Annual Convention an important marketing tool in our strategy to grow our presence in the marketplace.
T.A.I. Consulting is proud of our membership and our long tradition of supporting HFTP and its Annual Convention, said a message from the T.A.I. Consulting staff, exhibitors at the 2004 tradeshow. The convention provides a great opportunity for networking, exposure and most of all professional advice and input for our products. Not only does T.A.I. use the time at the convention to showcase our industry leading products, but we take the time to incorporate features and functionalities suggested to us from the members of HFTP.
The sessions enriched attendees during the day, and at night they were treated to social events focused on networking and fun. On Thursday, October 28, attendees had a full evening of entertainment at The Grove of Anaheim. Guests were greeted by Dee Dee Hanson impersonating Joan Rivers, and afterwards were treated to a stand-up comedy routine presented by HFTP member Sandra Ehlers. After cocktails and a dinner buffet, Matt Jernigan mixed music and comedy, performing hilarious song parodies in the styles of both today’s and yesterday’s top artists. Finally the evening was capped off with Gilbert Gauthier and his captivating performance, Portrait of a Chairman. This nostalgic show paid tribute to the sounds and music of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Friday Night, October 29, was the elegant President’s Evening dinner and dance decorated in the theme, Hollywood Awards Evening. Part of the evening’s highlights included the installation ceremony conducted by HFTP member Barry Robertson, CHAE, CHA, FBAHA. The 2004–2005 HFTP Board of Directors and Executive Committee were installed, including Frank Agnello, Jr., CHAE, CHA, controller for The Wyndgate Country Club as HFTP President. The presentation concluded with a special dedication to retiring president, Tina Samson, CHAE, given by HFTP International Vice President, Ralph Miller, CA, CBV, CHA, CHAE.
The evening was topped off with dancing to live music provided by the band Manhattan.
Other highlights included the Annual Business Meeting luncheon. During the meeting, the HFTP Florida Gulf Coast Chapter was recognized as the HFTP Chapter of the Year. The HFTP Mid-Florida chapter won the Chapter Choice award, an award established to recognize and reward outstanding chapter programming. Also recognized were John Cahill, CHTP, CHA, as the 2004 Paragon Award recipient, Henry Weeks, CHAE, as the 2004 New Member Sponsor of the Year, and Bruce Hoffman, CHAE, as the CHAE of the Year.
The 2005 HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow will be held Oct. 26–29 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Refer to the HFTP web site for more information.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
