“To provide members with superior networking opportunities, industry-leading events, comprehensive certification programs, unique educational opportunities, and other essential resources for professional growth.”
Yes, I’m citing the mission of HFTP. But no, it has never been nor will ever be ONLY a mission. It is something that HFTP has constantly been living up to and now, we are ready to go further. As HITEC is heading to Asia in 2017, jumped at the opportunity to visit China when an invitation from China Hospitality Technology Alliance (CHTA) arrived at the office.
HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE; HFTP Treasurer Lyle Worthington, CHTP and HFTP Asia Research Center Associate Sunny Wang (that’s me) arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, where the two-day workshop called “CHTA Talks: Redefine IT” was held July 17-18, 2015.
CHTA is the only hospitality technology non-profit organization that is run by experienced hospitality and IT professionals in China. CHTA focuses on the development of local hospitality technology and businesses, but also seeks out international cooperation and communication, making CHTA an ideal partner for HFTP in China. As a result of HFTP’s attendance, HFTP and CHTA are in talks to explore new ways to work together including certifications, conferences and leading industry research.
Organized by CHTA and ITValue, co-organized by Business Value Magazine, TMTPOST.com, HFTP and InfoComm, CHTA Talks gathered a group of CEO/CIO/CTOs and senior executives from hotels, OTAs and other related organizations. Trending topics including mobility, cloud technology and big data were covered in inspiring presentations and panels. With their exchange of ideas and insights, people from seemingly different areas gradually weaved a huge net which connects and links everything in the hospitality industry, catching the best ways to cope with the challenges and embrace the opportunities. Representing HFTP, Wolfe shared his thoughts about future trends of hospitality technology with plenty of real-life examples; while Worthington joined a great panel about redefining the roles of IT and CIOs, which inspired an intriguing debate among the panelists and the audience.
The event was more than just education and networking. After working out our minds, CHTA organized a running race called CHTA RUN. Attendees of the meeting signed up for the race voluntarily to promote work-life balance and show their love for life. Guess what, my friends? Lyle won and Frank crowned him! Awesome job, Lyle!
This trip was short, but truly beneficial. With a deeper understanding of what is happening half a world away, I believe that HFTP will definitely be more prepared for future endeavors in Asia. I am so looking forward to all the possibilities in the future. Who else cannot wait to see what’s next?
Sunny Wang is an associate at the HFTP Asia Research Center. Wang graduated from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a major in hotel management. Wang was also the vice president of the HFTP Polytechnic University student chapter.
