“The Caribbean Hospitality Finance and Technology Conference included lively and interactive education sessions that offered vast knowledge of the hospitality industry,” said Fitzroy Walker, corporate controller at Sandals Resorts International and conference attendee.

HFTP designed an agenda for the two-day conference that focused on the interests of Caribbean hospitality industry professionals. The education program included topics, such as “Energy Conservation & Innovative Marketing Options” with James Post, owner of Paradise Bay Resort in Grenada.

“The education sessions were very informative for operators in the Caribbean. Our company is currently looking to further expand in the Caribbean, so the conference provided valuable insight for us,” said Becky Lumly, senior manager of finance and development for RockResorts & Vail Resorts Hospitality and conference attendee. “The conference was also a great networking opportunity, both with vendors and with hospitality professionals.”

Along with the education sessions, attendees visited with exhibitors at tabletop displays and networked with colleagues. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism, was unable to attend the Welcome Reception because of official duties, so he sent Basil Smith, director of tourism, in his place. Smith welcomed attendees to the conference and Jamaica. Barlett also sent entertainment in the form of a five-piece Jamaican folk group that sang and danced for attendees.

For more information about the conference, please contact Linnet Baskett, HFTP meetings & events manager, at Linnet.Baskett@hftp.org or 001 (512) 249-5333 x31.

L to R: Conference speakers Cihan Cobanoglu, Ph.D., CHTP, associate professor at the University of Delaware HRIM, and Joe Hylton, CHAE, director of finance at Rose Hall Resort & Country Club.

Attendees visit with vendors during the conference.

A Jamaican folk group sings and dances for attendees during the Welcome Reception.