Hello Everyone,

2009 is almost over and I believe we can all say we're glad to see it go.  Of course, I'm speaking of the financial (or lack there of) year we had.  I know that I have had some very memorable moments during 2009 that I wouldn't trade for the world.  One of which is when I had the privilege of becoming the President of this amazing organization.  For that alone, 2009 will hold a very special place in my heart forever.  Each one of you can search through the events of 2009 and find that golden nugget that makes living on this earth worth while.

Christmas is just two days away.  I love this time of year.  I have to admit, it has kind of sneaked up on me.  I guess I better go shopping!!!   My most favorite part of the season is that people will fire up that compassionate, giving spirit that is locked up for most of the rest of the year.  We'll go seeking that present for someone that we haven't spoken to much, we'll drop a dollar or two in the Salvation Army bucket, we'll go to the family gatherings even though we really don't want to... I'm sure you can add to this list.  The joy of giving.  There's no other time of the year we experience it like during Christmas.  In the Christian faith, we take this time to celebrate what we consider the greatest gift of all which was the little baby in the manger.  Many faiths celebrate a significant event during this holiday season which is what brings us all together.  Whatever your beliefs and faiths are, don't let the hussle and bussle of the search for the perfect gift overshadow taking time to focus on the deeper meaning of the holiday season.

Christmas came a little early for us here in North Carolina.  We had the biggest snow storm in nearly 30 years for the month of December.  Before it was done, we had a little over a foot of snow at my house.  Some areas were close to 20 inches.  Now for the people that live up north and are reading this, don't laugh.  I know a foot of snow to you is a small flurry.  But to us, it was increadible!!  We took the opportunity to play in the snow and build our first every family snowman.  It was fun getting out and playing with the family, however, there is a bad side to a storm such as this.  We were without power for over 24 hours and we were one of the lucky ones. There are people around us that still do not have power since last Friday. They may not have it by Christmas either, so let's please remember those families.

This holiday season will have even more significant meaning to our family.  On January 2nd, I'll be walking my oldest daughter down the aisle give her away.  It's hard enough to type it out, let alone do it in just over a week. He's a good kid, but let's face it, he's a BOY!!  Those fathers that have a daughter knows what I'm talking about.  It will be a joyful occasion and a wonderful way to start 2010. 

I wish each and everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.  The freshness of a new year gives us a renewed hope of a bright and prosperious New Year.  I hope to see each and everyone of you at an upcoming HFTP event and together we'll make 2010 memorable!!

I'd love to hear from you.

Terry

This past Monday, we held the HFTP Caribbean Finance and Technology Conference at the beautiful Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.   There were around 30 in attendance for the one-day conference. Most of the attendees were members of our Jamaica chapter that is being lead by Mr. Joe Hylton. Joe is a 30+ year member of HFTP and has been a faithful supporter and attendee at several HFTP events over the years. Joe is also the Director of Finance at the host property and was a gratious host. We really appreciate all the work he did in assisting us with the conference. Especially his tireless efforts to promote the conference amoung the members of his chapter. It really paid off with well over 50% of his members in attendance. THANKS JOE.

I began the conference sharing with them how to Be the "You", You Always Wanted to Be. We talked about how we all need to look at ourself and analyze the type of person that we are right now. Then we started looking at the building blocks necessary to build the person that we'd want to be. When we all come to the end of our time here on earth, what do we want people to say about us? That's a question we need to answer sooner rather than later so we can begin building that life that we will be proud to leave behind.

Then Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP shared with the attendees about things to be aware of concerning hotel contracts. He shared several examples of clauses to be careful about as well as clauses that we all need to make sure are included in our contracts. Frank has been in the business of negotiating contracts with hotels and convention centers for many years on the behalf of HFTP. So, he was able to provide the attendees with some very practical and tried and true practices.

Frank then shared about Social Networking. This is, as Frank put it, "One of the biggest drug addictions ever." With sites such as Facebook with 70+ million accounts, I can believe it. He shared many examples of how people need to be very protective of their personal information. We all need to be aware that our information is very public on these sites, therefore, we must be careful.

Jules Sieburg, Immediate Past President of HFTP took the stage after a fabulous lunch at one of the restaurants at Rose Hall. His topic was Freeware: Tools That Work and Won't Break the Bank. All of our businesses are always looking for ways that we can save money. Jules shared some technology solutions that are available on the internet that can be used in our operations at a very reasonable price, FREE. Can't beat that price! Computing in the Cloud is a big movement and a big opportunity for companies to start looking at less expensive software solutions. Jules listed out several solutions under categories such as: Accounting, Customer Relation Management (CRM), Collaboration Tools, Communication & Multimedia, Photo Editing and other various utilities. These solutions can save hundreds of dollars per user for your company.

RP Rama, Secretary of HFTP provided the attendees a very impressive session about how he helped convert JHM Hotels from "Paper to Paperless." RP is the VP of Technology of JHM Hotels which he is also part owner. JHM has around 40 properties in their portfolio all over the country and also a few in India. RP shared with us how he has utilized internet technologies to eliminate storage and processing of paper documents. Most all the documents utilized by JHM are scanned and stored electronically. Including accounts payable invoices and checks. By utilizing this technology he has eliminated many layers of costs associated with the storage and processing of hardcopy paperwork. Once a document is scanned and stored, it is actually shreaded. Management is also able to approve or reject any of the items being submitted for payment from anywhere in the world through a secured internet connection. RP took us to the next level by actually connecting to his system during the session and giving us a demonstration of his system and how it has revolutionized his company. RP also shared that he got the idea of installing such as system from sessions that he attended at HITEC.  Another shining example of the benefits of attending the HFTP conferences.

We finished off the conference by having an "Ask the Experts" session.  Since we couldn't really find any "experts," Frank, Jules, RP, Tom Smith (VP of HFTP) and I set on a panel to do the best we could.  We were extremely pleased that most all the questions that were ask centered around the wealth of HFTP benefits that are available and our certification program.  There was a lot of interest in becoming more involved in attending HFTP conferences and furthering their careers by becoming a CHAE or CHTP.  Questions that we actually knew how to answer.

The conference was a great success!  I feel that the attendees were excited about the sessions and the opportunity to learn.  We felt privileged to be involved and to have the opportunity to share with them.  We look forward to future meetings and encourage the members of the Jamaica chapter to continue reaching out with their fellow professionals and introduce them to our great association.  Below is a group picture of the attendees of the conference.  Let's show them our support by posting a comment to this blog and encourage them.

Terry

An organizational meeting was hosted by the Resnick Group on Monday morning, December 7 on the beautiful harbor shores of Baltimore, Maryland.  The purpose of the meeting was to launch the process for submission as a new chapter in HFTP.  There were around 30 attendees and I had the opportunity to share with them all the exciting things about HFTP and the numerous benefits of becoming involved. 

There was great energy in the room, especially for an 8:00 a.m. Monday morning meeting.  The audience was mostly made up of vendor attendees, but there were some of the current DC members that work in Balitmore present.  They were very encouraged that a chapter may be getting started in their area.  The organizing committee is being chaired by Nick Hollander, CPA, Manager at Reznick Group, P.C. (Nick.Hollander@reznickgroup.com).  I encourage you to send him an email to encourage him and give some advise as he moves forward with organizing this chapter.

Other members of the organizing committee are: Ryan Henigan, Sheslie Royster, Dan King, Greg Remeikis, and Joyce Price.  We appreciate all these individuals taking time to give back to the industry through organizing this chapter.

There was a member from the local culinary school that expressed an interest in organizing a student chapter as well.  He is going to discuss the concept with the school leaders and see what the possibilities are.  Maybe we'll get a two-for-one deal out of this group.

It was every exciting to be there.  There are a few things that I learned about having an 8:00 a.m. meeting.  First off, people are not as anxious for me to finish talking when I'm holding them up from going to work instead of holding them up from the cocktail hour.  Secondly, it appears that my jokes are not quite as funny when people have not already had a drink or two.  I guess orange juice and coffee does not dull the senses enough. 

I'm excited about what will come out of this group and I know the HFTP family will always be there to help and encourage them. Post a comment to this blog expressing your encouragment and advise to what we hope to be our newest adult chapter and hopefully student chapter.

Terry