Austin, Texas; October 30, 2006 - Hospitality Financial and Technology
Professionals (HFTP) has planned a thought-provoking program for its upcoming
Hospitality Technology Professionals Forum, November 11 at the
Penn Club of New York in New York, N.Y. Featuring two tracks, Club
Technology and General Hospitality Technology, industry experts will lead
three different discussions on the industry�s prevailing topics
of interest, providing an overview of the topic and moderating audience
discussion. The format is designed to foster an open dialogue and exchange
of ideas between professionals working for clubs, hotels resorts
and other hospitality-related businesses.
General Technology Track
In-Room Technology Trends: Derek Wood and Ronald Comfort will
lead a discussion on the pros and
cons of In-Room Technology Trends. Topics of discussion include:
Cabling infrastructure
Converged networks
Telephones systems
TV/entertainment systems
Music
Concierge services
ROI
Wood is managing director at Derek Wood Associates Ltd. in Bristol, England.
Comfort is the IT director at Technology Assurance in Parker, Colo.
Wireless & Beyond: Ted Horner will lead a discussion on the
numerous considerations for installing a wireless network. Topics of discussions
include:
Emerging applications to leverage the investment
Importance of mobile access at all times
Direction of wireless
Wi-Fi benefits for hotels
Business models
Security
Ted Horner is the managing director at E Horner & Associates Pty Ltd.
in Sydney, Australia. He is also the 2004 inductee to the HFTP International
Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.
Security & Disaster Recovery: Carol Campbell Beggs, CHTP
and Brenda Burke, CHTP, will lead a
discussion on how to prepare and recover from a disaster. Topics of
discussions include:
Types of Disaster
Handling a Disaster:
Before - preparation and planning
During - executing and managing
After - recovering and returning to normalcy
Areas to be Addressed:
Guests/public
Employee/hr
Infrastructure/physical plant
Business continuity
Real world stories
Beggs is the vice president of technology at Sonesta International Hotels
Corp. in Boston, Mass. Burke is director of hotel technology at Hilton
Hotel Corp. in Vancouver, Wash. She is also the 2007 HITEC Advisory Council
chair and a member of the HFTP board of directors.
Club Technology Track
Wireless & Beyond Darrin Pinkham, CHTP, will lead will lead
a discussion on the pros and cons of a wireless network in the club environment.
Topics of discussions include:
Standards
Designing functional wireless applications for end users
Security
Support and maintenance
Implementation and training
Future wireless plans and applications
Pinkham is vice president of technology at Ginn Clubs & Resorts in
Celebration, Fla.
Security & Disaster Recovery JoAnna Schilliaci, CHTP, will
lead a discussion on how to prepare and
recover from a disaster. Topics of discussions include:
Plan adaptability
Review routine
Sufficiency of back-up plan
Recovery priorities - Does management and membership agree?
Schillaci is the food & beverage controller at Boca West Club Inc.
in Boca Raton, Fla.
Clubhouse Technology Trends Ronald Comfort and Charles Dorn,
CCM, will lead a discussion on the
current club technology trends. Topics of discussions include:
Adapting to technology changes
Technology trends and costs
Software vendor consolidation
Security WiMAX vs. WiFi
Bluetooth
Considerations for construction projects
Comfort is the IT director at Technology Assurance in Parker, Colo. Dorn
is the managing director of The Dorn Group Ltd. in Rye, N.Y.
In addition, the day�s registration includes a continental breakfast
and lunch.
Those who register for the forum will receive a complimentary registration
to the 2006 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, November 12-14
at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, N.Y. It is the world's largest
showcase and exchange of hospitality industry products, trends and developments,
and attracts every segment and facet of the industry. The show unveils
more than 1,400 products and services and draws more than 35,000 attendees
each year.
Online Registration (http://www.hftp.org/content.cfm?pgid=3502)
is now available on HFTP�s web site. For more information, contact Irma
Sutherland, HFTP meetings and events manager at 001 (512) 249-5333 x24,
(800) 646-4387 x24 or [email protected].
Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial
and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants,
and other hospitality-related businesses.
HFTP® and HITEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality
Financial and Technology Professionals.
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