AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (July 13, 2020) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced today that October’s “Best of HFTP” in-person events will pivot to a virtual “Cyber HITEC.” The in-person events, which included HITEC San Antonio, HFTP Annual Convention and Club Forum, were scheduled for October 26–29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas, USA. In response to the continued health safety concerns and travel restrictions related to the current pandemic, the HFTP Global Board of Directors, has determined it is best to switch gears and concentrate efforts on a virtual program. It is making this decision well-ahead of time to allow participants, exhibitors, stakeholders and co-located event organizers to plan accordingly.

“Health and safety have always been our top priority and continued uncertainty around the COVID 19 pandemic makes it prudent to forgo the in-person events ahead of critical deadlines for both attendees and exhibitors planning to participate,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH. “We arrived at this decision thoughtfully after hearing from many sources including our exhibitors and attendees who shared industry concerns.”

Cyber HITEC will run October 27 through November 25, 2020. In addition to world class education sessions addressing crucial topics, it will feature keynote presentations, a networking lounge and a marketplace with hundreds of the world’s best technology providers. To provide the best possible options to the industry, the HFTP Annual Convention will also be held under the Cyber HITEC banner and attendees will have the opportunity to attend education sessions for both events.

“We are excited to leverage emerging hospitality technologies to bring a first-rate online HITEC event to the industry,” said Professor Justin Taillon, MBA, PhD, CHIA, CHTP, Chair of the HITEC San Antonio Advisory Council. “With Cyber HITEC, we will be able to do things we have not done in the past. It will prove to be an excellent experience for attendees!”

At the same time, HSMAI and its Revenue Optimization Advisory Board are developing a new, innovative, interactive format to deliver the learning, networking and best practices sharing that usually takes place face-to-face annually at the co-located ROC. HSMAI’s partners will be included in Cyber HITEC and HSMAI attendees will be able to participate in Cyber HITEC. Monitor https://roc.hsmai.org/ as details are announced.

HFTP’s “invitation only” Club Forum will be held virtually on Monday, October 26. This event features topics presented by, and for, club finance professionals representing some of the finest clubs in the world.

Information about credits, registration for Cyber HITEC and invitations for the Club Forum will be distributed as soon as possible but, no later than July 25, 2020. Please check www.hftp.org and www.hitec.org for the latest information.

About HFTP
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) established in 1952, is an international, nonprofit association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, with offices in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, The Netherland and Dubai. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with members and stakeholders spanning across the globe. HFTP uniquely understands the industry’s pressing issues and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. It does this via its expert networks, research, certification programs, information resources and conferences/events such as HITEC. HFTP also owns the world’s only hospitality-specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com®.

For more information about HFTP, email membership@hftp.org or visit the media center. Follow HFTP/HITEC on HFTP Connect, Facebook (@HFTPGlobal; @HITECconference), LinkedIn, Twitter (@HFTP),  Instagram (@HFTP_HITEC), Flickr and YouTube for the latest news. Stay tuned to HFTP’s industry-specific, informational news sites: HFTP News, HITEC Bytes, HFTP Club Bytes, HFTP F&B Bytes, HFTP GDPR Bytes and HFTP Finance Bytes.