Leading International Experts on Hospitality Technology to address the 4th Annual BAHA Conference and IT Exhibition
‘The Essential Toolkit for Managing the Bottom Line’ – Thursday, 19 November 2009 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5
The latest cutting edge Information Technology (IT) – affecting hospitality industry business performance and the guest experience worldwide – will be one of the key topics to be put under the microscope at the 4th Annual BAHA (British Association of Hospitality Accountants) Conference and IT Exhibition, to be held on Thursday, 19 November 2009 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5.
Toward this end, BAHA is delighted to welcome back to the 2009 Annual Conference two of the world’s leading international authorities on hospitality industry technology –Australia’s leading hospitality technology consultant Ted Horner (pictured below), Managing Director of E. Horner & Associates, who in 2004 became the first non-US person to be elected to the HITEC Technology Hall of Fame for his contribution to the advancement of technology in the hospitality industry; and Frank Wolfe CAE (pictured below), Chief Executive of US-based Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) (see ’Notes to Editors’ for biographies), the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP also owns HITEC.
Commenting on their participation in the 2009 BAHA Annual Conference, entitled ‘The Essential Toolkit for Managing the Bottom Line’, BAHA Chief Executive Carl Weldon said: “We are very pleased that both Ted and Frank, who heads-up BAHA’s strategic partner – the Texas-based HFTP, will again be giving delegates the benefit of their vast international experience and knowledge, following the success of their excellent contributions to last year’s conference. They will be discussing the implications of the latest developments to arrive in hospitality industry technology – in terms of business performance, investment, training needs and guest experience – and the impact on bottom-line profits at this time of economic stringency. They also will be giving their views and debating on the profession’s future needs in this respect.”
Supporting the conference, as in previous years, there is a superb exhibition of IT suppliers to the hospitality industry – providing delegates with a ‘one stop shop’ to view the latest technologies relevant to the hospitality profession. In addition, the IT exhibition – featuring some of the ‘best in class’ products and services – will enable people to interact with these newest technological developments.
The event’s grand finale will be one of the traditional social networking highlights of the BAHA Conference – the drinks reception and sumptuous three-course Dinner with entertainment.
For regularly updated information on the 2009 BAHA Conference & IT Exhibition and attendance pricing options, visit the BAHA Conference Website:
Widely respected as Australia's leading hospitality technology consultant, Mr. Horner’s expertise is in high demand. In 1989, he launched a Consulting Practice specialising in Technology Consulting to the Hospitality Industry. In 2004, he was the first non-US person to be elected to the HITEC Technology Hall of Fame for his contribution to the advancement of technology in the hospitality industry.
In 2006, he was awarded his first consulting assignment in Dubai with one of the world’s most luxurious hotel companies, Jumeirah. Over the last 20 years, he has consulted to many of Australia's largest hotel owners together with major international hotel operators on all aspects of technology, including:
- PMS
- POS
- Sales & Catering & Banqueting
- Food & Beverage & Retail Inventory
- PABX
- In Room Guest Entertainment including Digital Video on Demand
- Broadband & Wireless
- Golf & Spa Systems
- Club Membership
- Integration of all the above components
He is a frequent keynote speaker at major conferences in Australia and overseas, and in August 1996, he launched the first dedicated Australian Hospitality Technology Conference and Exhibition held in Sydney.
Mr Wolfe is CEO of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) based in Austin, Texas USA. He joined HFTP in March 1991, and became the association’s CEO in 1994.
During Mr Wolfe's tenure, the association has experienced tremendous growth in its educational programs, membership and certification programs. In addition to the expansion of HITEC® (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference), the formation of EHTEC (European Hospitality Technology Educational Conference) and the development of GUESTROOM 20X, Wolfe has been crucial to the association’s worldwide brand expansion. The association's revenue has grown from $1.3 million to more than $6 million and its membership now numbers more than 4,800.
Mr Wolfe acts as spokesman for the association, and has been interviewed on the topics of hospitality finance and technology for multiple news outlets – such as Bloomberg TV, MSNBC, China Morning News and USA Today. He has appeared on four continents to speak about HFTP and topics such as guest room and meetings technology and hospitality finance, as well as authored numerous articles on these topics for industry publications.
Mr Wolfe began his association career with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) in 1987 as director of education. His accomplishments at TRA included developing association officer and employee training programs, developing and presenting field service sanitation training, and authoring a monthly magazine column. Wolfe also served as a consultant to members on regulatory issues and was a member of several state commissions relating to the foodservice industry.
Mr Wolfe is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, where he received a degree in Health Administration and later attended graduate school there in the Counseling and Guidance Program. In 1992, he was awarded the Certified Association Executive designation (CAE), which is the association industry's highest designation.
In August 2000, Mr Wolfe was honoured by Lodging magazine by being included in the ‘75 Profiles in Leadership’ edition, a who’s who of 75 individuals who have made major contributions to the hospitality industry. In October 2002, during HFTP’s 50th anniversary convention, Mr Wolfe was presented the HFTP Paragon Award, for his contributions to both HFTP and to the hospitality industry.
Frank Wolfe is a board member for the International Hotel and Restaurant Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Dean’s Advisory Council Conrad Hilton College University of Houston. He is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives and has served on the board of directors of the Texas Society of Association
