New HFTP Conference Focuses on the Growing Demands of Hospitality Professionals

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. March 23, 2010

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (March 22, 2010) - The 2008 HFTP Compensations & Benefits Survey shows hospitality professionals have a diverse range of job functions, spending up to 40 percent of their time on tasks unrelated to their job title. Recognizing these growing demands of the hospitality professional, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) recently held its brand new HFTP Development Conference. The conference, held March 15-16 at the InterContinential Hotel in New Orleans, La., offered quality education and networking that emphasized technology for the non-IT professional, human resources and leadership development.

Developed from a survey of hospitality professionals, the conference program was designed to meet expanding job responsibilities. Topics covered technology trends in the hospitality industry, leadership lessons from Hurricane Katrina, IT solutions for smaller properties, human resources help, fraud trends and more. "The Development Conference has enabled attendees to go back to their workplaces with improved insights into their leadership roles," said Elaine McPherson, partner at E=MC2 The Centre for Business Excellence and conference attendee. "Thanks to the conference, we are now better equipped to resume our leadership roles and improve our contributions to our employers, executive teams and clients."

Like all HFTP conferences, the Development Conference also included various opportunities to network with colleagues. The Welcome Reception, sponsored by the HFTP Greater New Orleans Chapter, provided a relaxed atmosphere for networking with the added entertainment of a live Jazz band and second line parade. "We in the HFTP Greater New Orleans Chapter viewed the HFTP Development Conference as a unique chance to increase our skills, to meet new friends and to reconnect with others. We were not disappointed," said Bob Oprea, CHAE, CHTP, controller at Le Pavillon Hotel. "It also gave us an opportunity to showcase our city's culture and hospitality to an association that has immeasurably contributed to our professional and personal growth."

For more information about the HFTP Development Conference, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org , (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to members around the globe including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology --the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants.