AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (September 24, 2008) � For his hard work and dedication to the hospitality industry and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), George Glazer will be honored with the 2008 Paragon Award this week during HFTP's 2008 Annual Convention & Tradeshow. He will receive the award during the Opening Session on September 25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. 

Glazer has dedicated over 20 years to developing training materials and industry texts in the hospitality industry. As the senior vice president of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Institute (EI), he leads efforts in the company's product development, academic publications and fulfillment areas. 

�Glazer has made countless contributions to the hospitality industry, as well as, helped HFTP lay the cornerstone for our certification programs, industry texts and educational conferences,� said Wendy Zurstadt, CPA, CHAE, CHTP, CFO of the Polo Club of Boca Raton, former HFTP global president and 2005 Paragon Award recipient.

He helped revamp the CHAE program by working to develop core competencies certified individuals in hospitality accounting should exhibit. He also spent countless hours working out details to create the CHTP. His efforts allowed the program to launch months, if not years, earlier than it was destined to. 

Glazer has worked extensively on other HFTP projects like the Uniform Systems of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Accounting for Club Operations, the Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Clubs and more. Not only has he helped to boost HFTP�s brand, Glazer has facilitated collaborative efforts between HFTP and other organizations like CMAA and ISPA. This has allowed HFTP to broaden its scope of influence.

�He sees a need for products and services that will advance the professionalism of the hospitality industry, and he takes the steps to bring together the people and organizations that can turn those ideas into reality,� said Roy Kennington, CHA, president and COO of EI. �His strength lies in facilitating the collaboration of associations and academic experts and providing a conduit through which significant product development can flow.�

In 1999, HFTP established the annual, prestigious Paragon Award to recognize individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to both HFTP and the hospitality industry. Paragon Award nominees can be HFTP members; representatives of industry-related associations, societies or trade publications; or leaders from hospitality businesses, educational institutions and other related disciplines. The recipient is selected by a panel of hospitality industry experts.

Previous Paragon Award winners include Alice Banks, CHAE (1999); Henry "Buddy" Weeks, CHAE (1999); Frank Santos, CHAE, CHA (2000); Katherine Cavanagh, CHAE (2001); Raymond Schmidgall, PH.D., CPA, CHAE (2002); Frank Wolfe, CAE (2002); Len Bartello, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2003); John J. Cahill, CHA, CHTP (2004); Wendy Zurstadt, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2005); Richard Braa, CHAE (2006); and Robert Patasnick, CPA (2007). 

For more information on the Paragon Award, contact the HFTP Membership Department at [email protected], (800) 646-4387 x19 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology ---the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit www.hftp.org.

Katy Walterscheidt
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
11709 Boulder Lane, Ste. 110
Austin, TX USA 78726-1832
Ph: +1 (512) 249-5333 
www.hftp.org