HFTP Seeks to Create a Strong European Presence
AUSTIN, TX, March 9, 2006. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional's (HFTP) Executive Vice President and CEO, Frank Wolfe, CAE, spoke in Berlin Wednesday afternoon to a group of 35 senior chain executives and association CEOs. Wolfe discussed HFTP's partnership with the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA), HFTP's mission, some of HFTPs members' most recent contributions to the industry, and the association's expansion initiatives at a joint meeting of IH&RA's Chains Council and National Association of Chief Executives (NACE) Council. The meeting was part of IH&RA's 60th anniversary conference.
"Over the last month, HFTP President Ralph Miller and I have entertained numerous requests for HFTP to create a strong European presence with our conferences and other educational opportunities," said Wolfe. "In order to explore these possibilities thoroughly, we are strengthening our relationships with some of our European friends, IH&RA. We are also using this opportunity to get our brand more widely recognized by major European players in the industry."
IH&RA is an international trade association devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide. IH&RA works through a series of councils focusing the expertise of its members on issues considered of vital importance to membership and to the industry generally. These councils identify issues, set priorities and propose future action. Wednesday's meeting was a gathering of both councils.
HFTP has recently increased efforts to expand internationally, promoting its benefits to hospitality finance and technology professionals worldwide. As part of its efforts, the association has added European headquarters, and will be traveling throughout the year to industry events in various countries, including Australia, Singapore and China.
Despite geographic limitations, hospitality professionals worldwide can take advantage of benefits such as HFTP's ProLinks online communities which regularly offer live, educational webinars, as well as interactive discussions on message boards; the HFTP Research Institute, which offers free routine research to HFTP members; and HFTP's industry journal, The Bottomline, distributed eight times a year. The association also offers two certification programs, the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP). Both designations are widely recognized by industry executives as a symbol of achievement.
Wolfe, along with HFTP International President, Ralph Miller, CA, CBV, CHA, CHAE, will also attend the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin this week. The ITB Berlin will host 10,856 exhibitors (firms, enterprises and institutions) from some 180 countries and territories, presenting their latest tourism products on an overall display area of 150,000 square meters.
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