HFTP Connect

HFTP Connect is featuring four guest bloggers throughout HITEC 2012. The bloggers will be providing you their insights on all things HITEC. Before we get to Baltimore next week, get to know our guest bloggers.

We already met Brad More, Nicole Hockin and Christina Dzingala.

Let’s meet our final guest blogger, Tyrone Davis.

Tyrone Davis is been in hospitality IT management for the past six years, currently at the Grand Hyatt Washington. As a member of HFTP, he has served on the board of directors for both the New England Hotel and Greater Washington DC Hotel chapters. You can network him on LinkedIn or through e-mail.

What is your specialty in hospitality and why do you enjoy your job?

I became IT Manager of a travel-industry company very closely related to hospitality over 12 years ago. Having made the transition to managing IT directly in hospitality six years ago, I’m currently at my second property now.

The honest fact that unlike many branches of technology, no two weeks are the same in the hotel business — the variety is enjoyable.

Emerging technologies, interesting associates to support, something new to learn all the time and lately, even more involvement in satisfying the unique technology needs of groups (ie. our robot will need a fixed IP address on your wireless feed). Read More »

ASK is not an acronym.

ASK is what we need to do more.

So many hospitality professionals arrive to their workplaces with enthusiasm and passion.

We are proud of what we do and where we work.

We have embraced the challenges of our organizations as merely complications, not limitations.

We commit fully.

We engage with purpose and integrity.

We influence others to their highest potential.

What we do is who we are.

So why don’t we ASK?

As HFTP members, we have access to training at the helm of our industry — technology, leadership, worldwide trends and more are all available to us.

We can choose to be at our own desks for this training, yet we have access to a greater network beyond our corporations and brands.

This network stretches across the globe and can be face-to-face for us: If we just ASK.

If you have not ASKed yet, get started today.

Check out the cost to attend a conference. Get it into your budgets this year.

HITEC 2012 — the largest hospitality technology conference in the world — is right around the corner and a great place to get started in this journey.

ASK to become an HFTP member (attend an HFTP conference this year, including HITEC, and you save $100 off your registration fee by becoming a new member of HFTP).

You would do this for your colleague. But now it is time for you: Time that you get clear about what you want and what you need to be renewed and continue in this dynamic industry of hospitality.

Just ASK.

Then…keep ASKing.

Esther Fullen is controller of two hotels for Charlton Resorts in Banff, Alberta, Canada. She is the chair of the HFTP Social Media Advisory Council and is active with the HFTP Southern Alberta Chapter. You can follow her on Twitter @EstherFullen.

How My  College Experience Years Ago Still Relates to HFTP’s Knowledge Exchange

Howdy!

I’m a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2003.

Yes, that just dated me.

But it’s important to this blog post – I promise.

For those that aren’t familiar with Texas A&M University, the university is well known for all of its traditions.

From saying “Howdy” (like above)  – to Muster (honoring fellow Aggies that have passed away) – to being a part of the 12th Man (supporting our team by standing throughout football games) – to the Big Event (the largest one-day student run community service project in the US) – to being proud of where you came from (this is where the class of 2003 comes in) and so much more.

A lot of the Aggie traditions stem around the concept of “the other education.”

Part of the Texas A&M culture is the belief that you receive more knowledge than just the traditional education from the classroom – you also receive your “other education” outside of the classroom.

“The other education” I received through learning from fellow classmates, carrying those connections on throughout the years and being an active participant in my community has been important in shaping who I am as a professional years after leaving Aggieland.

So this got me thinking and relating it to HFTP’s newest conference – the Knowledge Exchange. Read More »

Why the Knowledge Exchange is a Different Kind of Conference

Attending conferences is something I don’t always look forward to, even as a meeting professional.

I always like education sessions and gaining key takeaways from them, but I also want an opportunity to network.

When the conference isn’t conducive to connecting with my fellow attendees, it can be really difficult to make those connections. Not to mention how awkward it can be when you are attending a conference for the first time and don’t know anyone else there.

We hear the same thing from our members.

Not only is there a need for quality sessions, but there is a huge want for those connection times to exchange problems or ideas with fellow conference attendees.

These two principles are the spirit behind HFTP’s newest conference – the Knowledge Exchange. Read More »

How a Sermon Had Me Reflecting on HFTP’s Ability to Pull Me Out of a Rut

I went to church yesterday and the sermon topic was “The Cloud.” It started making me think about HFTP and all I have learned being a member and participating in this association. For example:

• Every time I learn something new about PCI compliance, I am further daunted by how much more is out there to learn.

• I attended a fantastic webinar the other day on Millennials and how they learn. Really insightful. It made me think about some non-millennials who might need to tackle some new learning skills…

The sermon went on to talk about barriers and two points really hit me. Read More »