Written By: Laura Resco, official event guest blogger for the HFTP Club and Hotel Controllers Conference 2018
The Club & Hotel Controllers Conference was my first HFTP event, and I can assure you, it will not be my last! Each person involved in it went above and beyond to make sure everything from registration onward ran smoothly. Staff members and volunteers were welcoming and helpful, and the venue was perfectly signaled so that there was no trouble finding the allocated rooms for the sessions — and believe me, given the size of the George R. Brown Convention Center, this is not an easy feat!
Besides the efficiency of the organization, the sessions were very engaging. Speakers delivered insightful presentations and raised relevant questions about the future of hospitality. What will the industry look like in 10 years given the changes in service expectations delineated by technological developments? How will these changes affect staffing needs and recruitment strategies? What is the cost of technology in the industry and how is it measured? These issues were at the core of the conference.
However, this was not a passive event for attendees. On the contrary, sessions were interactive, with questions and observations going back and forth among everyone in the room. Participation was encouraged, resulting in a dynamic and gratifying atmosphere. Moreover, speakers were available for one-on-one consultations in case anyone wanted further information regarding the topics presented.
Hearing professionals discuss with the speakers the particular issues that they face in their own organizations was very interesting for me. As a graduate student, these interactions made me feel more in touch with the different challenges faced by hotels and clubs, and the strategies that are currently in place to sort them successfully. The diversity of views and the generosity with which knowledge was shared really took this event to the next level.
Another remarkable aspect of the conference was the abundance of time and space to meet with others and build professional connections. The opening party at the House of Blues was the perfect prelude for the networking opportunities to come. Lunch and coffee breaks were designed for attendees to mingle and talk in a more informal setting. This allowed for an even richer experience because the relationships created will continue well beyond the timeframe of the event.
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the 2018 Club & Hotel Controllers Conference. This was truly a rewarding experience, and I would recommend it not only to every finance and technology professional in the hospitality industry, but also graduate and undergraduate students looking for knowledge beyond the scope of the classroom. Keep an eye on HFTP’s calendar of events to find out where the next conference will take place, and do not hesitate to register! Trust me, you do not want to miss this kind of opportunity.
Laura Resco is a graduate student at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management and the official event guest blogger at the HFTP Club and Hotel Controllers Conference (CHCC) 2018. This event takes place June 18–20, 2018 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas USA.
