HFTP and BAHA Announce Strategic Alliance to Increase Educational Opportunities for Hospitality, Finance and Technology Professionals Worldwide

18 september 2007 AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - September 18, 2007) - In a bid to ensure the quality of hospitality finance and technology education within the hospitality industry worldwide, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with the British Association of Hospitality Accountants (BAHA) to combine synergies that will increase their respective members' access to quality education, networking and first class certification programs. "BAHA welcomes the relationship with HFTP," said Carl Weldon, chief executive of BAHA. "Both associations bring critical knowledge, excellent reputations and educational experience to the strategic alliance. Because both of our organisations are 'not for profit' associations, our respective members have access to some of the industry's best knowledge sharing -- provided by their peers at very low costs. This education is possible because it is provided as a service to the industry, rather than trying to profit from it personally." The strategic alliance will allow the associations to expand member benefits -- including reduced cross-membership rates; greater access to publications and research; and increased visibility for both organisations. The alliance partners will also work jointly on projects relating to financial accounting standards, authoring industry texts and educational conferences. In addition, the certification review courses for HFTP's Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) certifications will be offered in the UK through BAHA as part of their educational program alongside the current BAHA ETP qualifications. BAHA is an authorised test administrator for the HFTP exams. "The strategic alliance between HFTP and BAHA is important for the hospitality industry worldwide," said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. "Our members represent the very best in hospitality finance and technology. While there are many organisations that offer hospitality finance and technology education in the UK, this alliance guarantees that attendees at BAHA/HFTP events will be hard pressed to find better education on our topics anywhere else in this space." The first joint educational opportunity will be at the 2nd BAHA Hospitality Finance and IT Professionals Conference & Exhibition -- to be held from 8 to 9 November 2007 at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow in London. The two-day conference will include informative sessions for finance and IT professionals, the opportunity to network with colleagues and an exhibition showcasing the latest hospitality technology available in the UK. Included in the conference will be a presentation on technologies from the 2007 version of GUESTROOM 2010, a futuristic, model hotel room that HFTP developed as part of its HITEC conference in the US. Detailed information on the 2nd BAHA Hospitality Finance and IT Professionals Conference & Exhibition, including a registration form, is available on the BAHA website -- conference web page on www.baha-uk.org. For further information, contact Debra Adams or Phillipa Graham, BAHA conference administration, at +44 (0)1202 889430 or admin@baha-uk.org. About BAHA BAHA was formed in 1969 with the aim of bringing together those professionals involved in financial management and control within the hotel industry. Since inception, the membership has expanded to over 700 members and is recognized as the United Kingdom's authoritative voice in the hospitality industry on financial management, technical accounting issues, taxation, hotel valuation and other related aspects. For more information, visit www.baha-uk.org. About HFTP HFTP, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs, and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities to more than 4,600 members globally, including the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC. HFTP also awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. Contacts: Katy Walterscheidt Communications Specialist HFTP Tel: 001 (512) 249-5333 E-mail: Katy.Walterscheidt@hftp.org Debra Adams Head of Administration and Education BAHA Tel: +44 (0)1202 889430 E-mail: admin@baha-uk.org