The list is based on association membership numbers. Three hundred and seventy-four of the 600 trade associations in the Austin metropolitan area were reviewed for the making of the list. Other associations on the list with HFTP are the Association of Texas Professional Educators, Texas Police Association, Texas Restaurant Association, and the National Federation of Independent Business. 

The Austin Business Journal has been published for 19 years. This year�s Book of Lists provides 85 lists under nine categories including: banking and finance, business services, healthcare and insurance, real estate, professional services, technology, and travel and hospitality. 

�The book identifies the area�s largest businesses and services, tells what they do, who runs them and how to find them, and of course, where they rank,� said Lyn Chasteen, the publisher of the Book of Lists.

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP® is the professional association for financial and IT personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,300 members around the world. In addition to producing the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1953 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants.

HFTP was formerly the International Association of Hospitality Accountants (IAHA®).
IAHA®, HFTP®, and HITEC® are registered service marks of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.