Wrap Up HFTP 2007 Annual Convention & Tradeshow

Robert Patasnick Recognized with Paragon Award

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. October 14, 2008

AUSTIN, TX, November 6, 2007. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP(R)) recently celebrated 55 years at its 2007 Annual Convention & Tradeshow. The convention included top-notch education sessions, numerous networking opportunities, the annual business meeting and tradeshow. It was held October 17-20 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Fla.

"Each year I look forward to attending the Annual Convention & Tradeshow. There are terrific education choices and wonderful networking," said Jeanette Fredrickson, CHAE, administrative manager for the Oconomowoc Golf Club. "I always bring something back to the table that enriches our club, and I am so grateful to HFTP for continuing to support our industry."

The convention included exceptional education sessions from experts representing multiple segments of the hospitality industry. Sessions covered topics such as the immigration debate and its impact on the club industry, strategic management processes, technology "mythbusters," disaster planning and recovery, condo hotel accounting, I.D. theft, network security and more.

"The large turnout for our presentation on coding for the 10th Edition of the Uniform System of Accounts reminded me of what a great job HFTP does in meeting its primary goal of educating the industry," said Bruce Bensetler, president of Data Plus, Inc., an Exhibitor Tutorial presenter.

The Annual Convention & Tradeshow also included plenty of opportunities for attendees to network with colleagues and friends. The Welcome Reception on Wednesday night allowed attendees to explore the exhibit hall as they networked with vendors and peers. The HFTP Casino Night on Thursday night provided the chance for attendees to play Texas Hold'em, Roulette, Craps and Black Jack, while helping to raise over $5,000 for HFTP Scholarship and Educational Endowment programs around the world. Friday night's President's Evening was an elegant event that honored the incoming HFTP President Anna McFarland, CPA, CFE, CHAE, CHTP, and outgoing HFTP President Agnes DeFranco, Ed.D., CHAE.

The annual business meeting recognized Immediate Past President Ralph Miller, CA, CBV, CHA, CHAE, and outgoing Board of Directors Brenda Burke, CHTP; Karen Conway; and Robert Oprea, CHAE, CHTP. The business meeting also provided an overview of what HFTP has accomplished over the past year.

The Annual Convention & Tradeshow was also a time to honor those that have made significant contributions to HFTP the past year:

---| The Paragon Award, which each year recognizes an individual that has impacted HFTP and the hosptiality industry, was given to Robert Patasnick, CPA.

---| Donna Turner, CPA, CHAE, was honored as the 2007 CHAE of the Year, an award that is presented to the person who scored the highest in a given year on the CHAE exam.

---| HFTP's Greater New Orleans Chapter received the 2007 Chapter of the Year Award for their efforts to further the goals of HFTP and provide quality educational and professional opportunities for their members.

---|The 2007 HFTP Chapter Choice Award was given to the Greater Houston Chapter, for recognition of their successful ideas for recruitment, fundraising, education and more.

"The Annual Convention & Tradeshow was the perfect site to showcase our new product," said Mike Baldinger, partner with Evention by Vitruvian Solutions. "The attendees' expertise, along with the intimacy of the show makes this the perfect setting for building relationships with our customers."

Thank you to all 2007 Annual Convention & Tradeshow sponsors: Action Online Technologies Inc., Aptech Computer Systems Inc., ClubTec, Gatekeeper Business Solutions Inc., Hospitality Upgrade Magazine, hotel SalesPro & ServicePro, Integrated Business Systems, MembersFirst Inc., Millennium by Harms Software, Oasis Outsourcing and Petra Risk Solutions.

The 2008 Annual Convention & Tradeshow will be held September 24-27 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. For more information about attending the 2008 Annual Convention & Tradeshow, visit the HFTP web site at www.hftp.org. For all other inquiries, contact Linnet Basket, HFTP meetings & events manager, at [email protected], call (800) 646-4387 or 001 (512) 249-5333 x31.