May 17, 2004, AUSTIN, TEXAS - Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP(r)) is proud to name Jeffrey Stephen Parker, CHTP, as the 2004 CHTP of the Year. Parker will be honored at the HITEC 2004 Awards Presentation on Tuesday, June 22. The award is attributed to the individual who scored the highest score for the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) exam in a given year. Acknowledged worldwide, the CHTP certification elevates the professionalism of both the recipient and the industry by helping set standards for the field. Those who earn the CHTP designation demonstrate a high level of dedication to their profession.

"The CHTP distinguishes itself from the alphabet soup of certifications,� said Parker. �It is a designation that is based on real world application, rather then simply text book education," said Parker.

Parker is the director of information systems for Magnolia Hotels based in Denver, Colo. He�s held this position for the past nine years, and overall has 18 years of experience in the hospitality and food and beverage industry. Currently he is project managing the implementation of a company wide property management systems software program that will be used by every department within the Magnolia Hotels operation. Parker received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Communications, with a minor in Information Systems in December 2000 from Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colo.

To earn the CHTP designation, applicants must pass a 250-question exam covering technology concepts; specific hotel systems (i.e. PMS); systems rooted in other industries but also used in the hospitality sector (i.e. the Internet); and general hotel management practices. The candidate should also possess a basic knowledge of hotel accounting, be familiar with procedures relating to risk management, know the basics of sales management procedures as it relates to sales management systems, and understand the workings of telephone revenue accounting and facility management systems. Reviews and exams are conducted nationally throughout the year.

For more information and a full schedule of reviews and exams go to the HFTP web site or contact Steven Stout, executive assistant, at (512) 249-5333 ext. 26 or (800) 646-4387 ext. 26 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.