Last week, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) hosted 600 members and hospitality industry professionals for education and networking at the HFTP Annual Convention. The convention is defined by three days of intense, industry-specific education sessions, inspirational and informative general sessions, a display of table top exhibits and numerous social events where the HFTP community connects annually. 

"This year's Annual Convention had a festive atmosphere, delivering an excellent education program along with numerous opportunities for connections amongst attendees," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. "It is the primary event where HFTP members celebrate their part in the association."

The event's education schedule offered attendees the opportunity to choose from 47 sessions on trending industry topics including: mobile apps, Excel tutorials, budget process, benchmarking, cybersecurity, labor laws, healthy work habits and much more. In traditional HFTP fashion, the Annual Convention featured three general sessions, attendee networking, and the annual HFTP business meeting. In addition, 30 exhibitors with industry-related products and services were available to speak with the professionals in attendance.

In conjunction with the convention, the newly-established HFTP Foundation held multiple fundraisers this last week to help get the organization's strategic programming off the ground. The new philanthropic arm is to oversee the association's research centers and scholarship fundraising. At the Annual Convention, the Foundation ran a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. In addition, it promoted a month-long Founding Donors campaign.

Annual Convention also represents a time for HFTP to recognize outstanding achievement from individuals and HFTP chapters that embody the success of the association. Below were this year's industry-leading award recipients that were selected by industry colleagues and peers.

The association's new 2019-2020 HFTP Global Board was installed during the event's HFTP Annual Tribute to Success on Friday evening and Michael Levie, CHTP assumed his role as the new HFTP Global President. Pictures from the event are now available in an online gallery.

Dates are already set for the next two Annual Conventions: in 2020 it is slated for October 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA; and in 2021 it is slated for September 22-24 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. For more information about HFTP's Annual Convention and other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, follow HFTP/HITEC on HITEC Bytes, PineappleSearch, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@HFTP), Instagram (HFTP_HITEC), Flickr and YouTube.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with an offices in the EU. HFTP is recognized as a group supporting the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Hotel-Online and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org.

Eliza Selig
Staff VP, Marketing and Communications
+1 512 220 4026
HFTP