For HFTP, the year 2022 saw the return of some of its most popular initiatives and the launch of a successful new program. It marked the bittersweet departure of some beloved HFTP leaders, and the arrival of enthusiastic individuals ready to take up their mantles. Ready for a rundown of the most noteworthy highlights from the year? Keep reading.
The Return of the Biennial Compensation and Benefits Report:
Hospitality professionals regularly reach out to HFTP seeking the latest version of this long-standing research report. Over its 30-year history, this report has helped countless professionals gauge the latest industry trends to determine appropriate pay and benefits for themselves or their employees.
This is especially indispensable data in light of the staffing challenges that currently afflict the industry; competitive wages and benefits often make the difference in recruiting new talent to your organization and retaining top performers. Following a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest data (2020-2022) is now available, and it is complimentary to active HFTP members. Learn more here >>
The Return of E20X to HITEC North America:
Last seen at HITEC North America in Minneapolis three years ago, HFTP’s extremely popular startup pitch competition made a triumphant return to HITEC Orlando in 2022. Eight hospitality technology startups brought their exciting business concepts to the HITEC Headliner stage and show floor this past June.
The Judge’s Choice Award went to process automation specialist RobosizeME, whose virtual robots help hospitality companies automate hotel operational processes include reservations, revenue management, group sales, events and more. The People’s Choice Award went to Florida-based Beachy, which serves resorts with activities reservations and mobile food and beverage solutions to improve the guest experience.
An E20X competition also took place at HITEC Dubai this year, where eTip won the E20X Judge’s Award, S-Rate won the Judge’s Choice Semi-Finalist Award, and Turpal was chosen by HITEC attendees to receive the People’s Choice Award. Read this blog post written by one of the E20X Dubai competitors on their experience participating in the event.
Applications have just opened for E20X North America 2023, which will be held on June 28 in Toronto. Learn more at HFTP News >>
The Launch of the HFTP Leadership Excellence Series:
The new HFTP Leadership Excellence Series program debuted to great success in January 2022, quickly reaching its capacity of 100 individuals. This member-exclusive program helped participants cultivate new leadership skills and knowledge through virtual sessions held throughout the year, which included lectures presented by hospitality leaders, book clubs, hot topic webinars, and idea-brainstorming exchanges. The participants were recognized in a special reception at the HFTP 2023 Annual Convention last October.
On the heels of its inaugural victory, the Leadership Excellence Series will return in 2023, with applications now open through January 13. Learn more at HFTP News and don’t miss your chance to participate next year. This program is expected to fill up quickly once again.
The Global Board Experiences First Transition Since 2020:
The year was also marked by the departure of Mark Pate Sr., CHAE, CHTP, MBA from his role as HFTP Global President. Having spent two years in this capacity, Pate served as the association’s fearless leader throughout much of the Covid-19 pandemic, guiding HFTP’s growth and initiatives during a time of rapid, uncertain change in the hospitality industry. Read his final “Letter from the HFTP Global President” blog post to learn more about his experiences leading the HFTP Global Board.
As of this past October, Neil Foster, CHTP, MBA has stepped into the role with enthusiasm to continue building on Pate’s legacy. He brings with him to this new position over 25 years of professional experience in hospitality technology. Get to know the new HFTP Global President in this introductory blog post, where he describes his international career journey and decades-long relationship with HFTP.
A Change in HFTP’s European Governance:
Carl Weldon, HFTP’s COO Europe since 2016 and a beloved member of the HFTP staff, announced his retirement in 2022. HFTP bade him a celebratory farewell during an HFTP Europe meeting at the citizenM London Tower on October 26. Read this entertaining tribute from HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH.
A familiar face now presides over HFTP’s presence in Europe. Carson Booth, CHTP became HFTP’s new COO Europe as of November 1. The association will benefit from his decades of international, hospitality industry experience in management and technology-centered positions. Booth has been involved with HFTP for many years, volunteering his expertise on multiple HFTP boards, including as chair of the HITEC Europe Advisory Council.
Learn more about Booth’s appointment as COO Europe on HFTP News >>
Engaging Students Remains a Top Priority:
HFTP consistently seeks to engage hospitality students as future leaders of the industry. Two initiatives, which have been successful year-over-year to achieve this goal, produced great results in 2022.
Every academic semester, the HFTP/MS Global Hospitality Graduate Student Blog Competition generates unique hospitality research, and the Fall 2022 edition was no exception. A panel of expert judges representing HFTP selected the top-scoring blog posts, which explore financial aspects of the increasingly popular glamping business model in hospitality; the impacts of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in asset management; the transformation of the traditional dining experience using augmented reality (AR) and 3D modeling; and the implementation of virtual reality (VR) to revolutionize employee training techniques.
The winning blog posts will be published on HFTP over the next few months.
Learn more on HFTP News >>
The HITEC Student Volunteer Program provides students the opportunity to volunteer behind the scenes at HITEC North America. In exchange for assisting HFTP staff throughout the conference, the students are provided with a complimentary full conference registration and housing accommodations. For the student volunteers, the program is a significant chance to network and learn from the brightest minds in the industry.
Two students who participated in the HITEC Student Volunteer Program in 2022 shared their experiences in blog posts on HFTP Connect. You can read all about their time at HITEC Orlando in Part One and Part Two.
Did You See These HFTP Chapters in Action?
While HFTP is a global association, we also understand the importance of building connections at the local level. HFTP’s chapter system fosters these connections through meetings, educational opportunities, philanthropic activities and social networking events. HFTP chapters were very busy in 2022 – check out this blog post to get a glimpse at some of the activities that HFTP chapters did this year.
A Look Ahead to 2023
As 2022 ends, HFTP has already begun to look ahead to everything 2023 has to offer. Don’t miss out on the many events and opportunities already scheduled to take place in the new year – the HFTP 2023 Leadership Excellence Series (kicking off January), the HFTP 2023 Club Summit (March 27-28), HITEC Dubai 2023 (May 23-24), HITEC Toronto 2023 (June 26-29), and E20X Toronto 2023 (June 28) … just to name a few. See you in 2023!