HFTP netted more than $12,000 in support of hospitality, finance and technology education through a silent auction and special event that took place at the HFTP 2018 Annual Convention last month.
The HFTP Helps program raises money each year for a local charity in the Annual Convention’s host city and surrounding areas. This year, the Annual Convention was held October 24–26, 2018 in “Derby City” —Louisville, Kentucky USA.
The funds raised for the HFTP Helps initiative in Louisville were directed to local hospitality, finance and technology centered education programs overseen by the National Academy Foundation (NAF) in the Kentucky area. Visit the NAF website to learn more about this organization and how its unique educational design ensures high school students are college, career and future ready.
“The support that NAF has received from HFTP has been extraordinary,” says Maryanne Greenfield, NAF’s chief advancement officer. “NAF serves 100,000 students nationwide, preparing them for college, careers, and future success in partnership with businesses and local communities. The need to provide more students with access to opportunity is great, and when the business community contributes in this way, it helps more students achieve and reach their potential.”
Each year, HFTP Global consults with the area HFTP chapter to determine a worthy, regional organization to support through the HFTP Helps fundraiser. In 2018, HFTP Greater Louisville Chapter president Joshua Bergen, CHAE, CHTP recommended NAF, an organization he has worked closely with for several years. Its goals align closely with HFTP’s, supporting educational opportunities in hospitality, finance and technology.
“I have truly enjoyed working with the NAF students over the past few years in Florida, and now after moving to Indiana and finding a local high school with the same drive to help the students #BeFutureReady,” Bergen says.
Bergen continues, “I am also excited to know that my own children have a chance to participate in a program like this. I look forward to HFTP chapters all over the United States learning more about these programs, and I hope they find these schools near them to recruit the future of hospitality, finance and technology. These students are the future college students, future employees and our future leaders.”
The HFTP Greater Louisville chapter organized and hosted a special event at the Kentucky Derby Museum on the Thursday night of convention week and dedicated a portion of the ticket sales to the HFTP Helps initiative. The event quickly sold out. Attendees enjoyed a delightful evening that included hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, music and entertainment. They were given a tour of the Churchill Downs Racetrack — where the famous Kentucky Derby takes place — and regaled with spooky tales of Halloween lore and haunts just days before Halloween.
HFTP Helps also hosted an online silent auction to raise money for the cause. The generosity from hospitality companies, hotels, clubs and HFTP members resulted in a plethora of exciting items for attendees to bid on — including hotel stays, country club golf packages, international vacation packages and more. And bid, they did! HFTP thanks everyone who donated to the silent auction and everyone who bid on these items to help make this silent auction a success.
Local teacher Jennifer Glaser and students represented NAF on-site at the Annual Convention, answering questions and giving more information to convention attendees. “We are so grateful to HFTP for the scholarship fundraiser on behalf of NAF students,” she said.
“These students are career focused in the areas of business, finance and hospitality. They understand the importance of networking and were thrilled to physically BE at the HFTP Annual Convention. All of the students in our NAF program go on to college with the confidence to continue goal setting and networking toward their career goals. Thank you so much for your help in educating and motivating today’s youth.”
Kylie Rouster is a senior at Silver Creek High School and benefits from the opportunities NAF has to offer. “As a member of NAF, I was able to participate [in the HFTP Annual Convention in Louisville, Kentucky]. I made multiple connections in the hospitality industry which will benefit me for my future. One day I plan to become a cruise line director, and these connections will help make my dreams come true.”
Nate Eckert is also a Silver Creek High School senior who believes in the positive effects NAF has on their future. “NAF has greatly helped me figure out what I want to do for my career. The curriculum, opportunities and connections allow me to cement the idea of having a career in finance. NAF is one of the best tools that has helped me during my high school years.”
Briana Gilmore 
is the HFTP Communications Coordinator.
Briana can be reached at Briana.Gilmore@hftp.org or +1 (512) 220-4017.
