HFTP and CMAA Announce Meeting Focusing on Club Technology Initiatives

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. October 14, 2008

AUSTIN, TX, June 17, 2005. Hundreds of questions and proper research is key to getting the right integrated club management system, but acquiring this information is a cumbersome task for club professionals. Understanding this, both the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) have come together to work initiatives to benefit club industry professionals in the technology arena. These initiatives, a Request for Information and development of software selection methods for clubs, will be discussed at an upcoming meeting on Club Technology. The meeting will be held on Thursday June 23, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

First meeting attendees will get an update on the recently-developed standardized RFI for an Integrated Club Management System which can be used as a reference tool and guideline in developing requests for information from technology vendors. The purpose is to provide a starting point for clubs when beginning a relationship with vendors. All attendees at the meeting will receive the most up-to-date version of the document, as well as ideas on how it can help both club industry executives and technology providers.

"From listening to our members, both HFTP and CMAA realized that one of the road blocks to acquiring a management system that fit right with a specific club was that the possibilities were almost overwhelming," said Frank Agnello, CHAE, CMA, HFTP president and controller at The Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills, Mich. "Knowing that, we combined our resources to research and create this valuable tool that helps both the club and the possible providers focus on specific needs best suited for a particular club."

Secondly, the meeting will host further discussions about the future development of methods that will assist clubs and club technology vendors to better work together for club technology software needs.

The RFI helps reduce difficulties for both clubs and vendors. For club professionals, it provides a research starting point and ensures that they gather the necessary information for a knowledgeable decision. It also helps clubs make apples-to-apples comparisons with the information they receive back from vendors. For vendors, it will help them be prepared in advance with the type of information that will be requested.

"It makes the process unfold in a way that's more organized," said Ed Merritt, Ph.D., the project's facilitator and a professor of management at California State University (Cal Poly Pomona). "With the process better organized, it's easier to compare information through all stages of implementation."

The comprehensive document was created by members of HFTP, CMAA, club technology vendors and other club professionals, and was facilitated by Dr. Merritt. It has 8 sections, including vendor information, technical requirements, investment considerations, customer service and support, and references. The guide, created to anticipate as many operating elements as possible, has prompts intended to capture complete details. Clubs are encouraged to skip elements and or sections that are not applicable to a club; or, if a club has operating areas not covered by the RFI, they should be added in order to help ensure completeness of information.

The RFI is available at both www.hftp.org and www.cmaa.org with the intention for use by both club professionals and vendors.