Two Tracks to be Featured at HFTP's New York City Forum, Nov 11

General Hospitality Technology and Club Technology

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. October 14, 2008

AUSTIN, TX, October 30, 2006. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has planned a thought-provoking program for its upcoming Hospitality Technology Professionals Forum, November 11 at the Penn Club of New York. Featuring two tracks, Club Technology and General Hospitality Technology, industry experts will lead three different discussions on the industry's prevailing topics of interest, providing an overview of the topic and moderating audience discussion. The format is designed to foster an open dialogue and exchange of ideas between professionals working for clubs, hotels resorts and other hospitality-related businesses.

In-Room Technology Trends: Derek Wood and Ronald Comfort will lead a discussion on the pros and cons of In-Room Technology Trends. Topics of discussion include:

--abling infrastructure

--Converged networks

--Telephones systems

--TV/entertainment systems

--Music

--Concierge services

--ROI

Wood is managing director at Derek Wood Associates Ltd. in Bristol, England. Comfort is the IT director at Technology Assurance in Parker, Colo.

Wireless & Beyond:

Ted Horner will lead a discussion on the numerous considerations for installing a wireless network. Topics of discussions include:

--Emerging applications to leverage the investment

--Importance of mobile access at all times

--Direction of wireless

--Wi-Fi benefits for hotels

--Business models

--Security

Ted Horner is the managing director at E Horner & Associates Pty Ltd. in Sydney, Australia. He is also the 2004 inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.

Security & Disaster Recovery:

Carol Campbell Beggs, CHTP and Brenda Burke, CHTP, will lead a discussion on how to prepare and recover from a disaster. Topics of discussions include:

Handling a Disaster:

--Before - preparation and planning

--During - executing and managing

--After - recovering and returning to normalcy

Areas to be Addressed:

--Guests/public

--Employee/hr

--Infrastructure/physical plant

--Business continuity

--Real world stories

Beggs is the vice president of technology at Sonesta International Hotels Corp. in Boston, Mass. Burke is director of hotel technology at Hilton Hotel Corp. in Vancouver, Wash. She is also the 2007 HITEC Advisory Council chair and a member of the HFTP board of directors.

Club Technology Track

Wireless & Beyond Darrin Pinkham, CHTP, will lead will lead a discussion on the pros and cons of a wireless network in the club environment. Topics of discussions include:

--Standards

--Designing functional wireless applications for end users

--Security

--Support and maintenance

--Implementation and training

--Future wireless plans and applications

Pinkham is vice president of technology at Ginn Clubs & Resorts in Celebration, Fla.

Security & Disaster Recovery JoAnna Schilliaci, CHTP, will lead a discussion on how to prepare and recover from a disaster. Topics of discussions include:

--Plan adaptability

--Review routine

--Sufficiency of back-up plan

--Recovery priorities - Does management and membership agree?

Schillaci is the food & beverage controller at Boca West Club Inc. in Boca Raton, Fla.

Clubhouse Technology Trends' Ronald Comfort and Charles Dorn, CCM, will lead a discussion on the current club technology trends. Topics of discussions include:

--Adapting to technology changes

--Technology trends and costs

--Software vendor consolidation

--Security WiMAX vs. WiFi

--Bluetooth

--Considerations for construction projects

Comfort is the IT director at Technology Assurance in Parker, Colo. Dorn is the managing director of The Dorn Group Ltd. in Rye, N.Y.

In addition, the day's registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Those who register for the forum will receive a complimentary registration to the 2006 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, November 12-14 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, N.Y. It is the world's largest showcase and exchange of hospitality industry products, trends and developments, and attracts every segment and facet of the industry. The show unveils more than 1,400 products and services and draws more than 35,000 attendees each year.

Online Registration (http://www.hftp.org/content.cfm?pgid=3502) is now available on HFTP's web site. For more information, contact Irma Sutherland, HFTP meetings and events manager at 001 (512) 249-5333 x24, (800) 646-4387 x24 or [email protected].

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses.

HFTP(R) and HITEC(R) are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.