Meet the Official HFTP 2021 Annual Convention Guest Blogger

The HFTP 2021 Annual Convention, co-located with HITEC Dallas September 27-30 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, is officially less than five weeks away. Have you started planning your educational...agenda yet? One person who has started planning is John B. Reyna, attorney, professor and entrepreneur — and also the official HFTP Annual Convention guest blogger this year.

Have you registered yet for the Annual Convention? Learn more about your registration options today.

Meet John Reyna, HFTP's 2021 Annual Convention Guest Blogger

John is native to Texas, but he has also lived in Columbus, Phoenix, Sedona, Guadalajara, and St. Louis. He and his wife have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the past six years. John’s education is varied in disciplines and locations. For undergrad, John attended The Ohio State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. He later earned his Juris Doctorate at Texas Tech University School of Law. After law school, he attended SMU Dedman School of Law and earned his LL.M. in taxation.

John’s hospitality experience ranges over multiple decades. He has worked at some of the finest luxury hotels and resorts in Arizona and Ohio. His management roles included banquet manager, restaurant manager, sommelier, and executive steward. In 2019, John earned his WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with a grade of Passing with Distinction. John and his wife own a beverage consulting company, Teakwood Tavern Hospitality, LLC. They provide wine and spirit educational classes as well as specialty cocktail and zero-proof beverage creation for individuals and events.

Utilizing that hospitality background, John is currently an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas at Dallas School of Business. He teaches both restaurant management and beverage management. There are also plans for him to teach hospitality law in the future....

John is the founder and managing attorney at the Texas Hospitality and Non-profit Law Center, PLLC. His prior work experience in both industries provides him with intimate knowledge about how hospitality and non-profit organizations operate and the challenges they face. He is passionate about representing those who nourish their community.

As the event guest blogger, John will write and publish blog posts all about his professional insights and conference experiences before, during, and immediately after the HFTP Annual Convention. Be sure to continue checking our HFTP Connect Blog starting next month and plan to meet up with John in Dallas next month.

The Education Sessions John Has Planned to Attend

"It is my first time attending HFTP’s Annual Convention and there is a lot to be excited about. I wish I could be two places at one time because I want to attend both Robert Cole’s presentation on The Changing Face of Travel: Where Are We Headed? and Chris Coulter’s The Private Club of the Future – 2021 and Beyond. Maybe you’re sensing a theme that I enjoy hearing well informed individuals share their thoughts on the future of the hospitality industry.

"I’m really looking forward to Labor and Staffing in 2021: Challenge or Opportunity? As a professor of hospitality management, I’ve read a lot of takes on this topic. I’m interested to hear what the panel says.

"Phillip Maltin’s presentation on Solving the Mystery of Employment Law: Techniques for Controlling the Workforce and Staying Out of Court is sure to be an informative one. It is paramount that management not only understands how to handle harassment complaints but also how to spot potential issues in real time and cease any unlawful activity."

This year, the HFTP Annual Convention education program features specialized tracks in hospitality finance and technology for the club and hotel segments. View the full Annual Convention Schedule of Events online here to see when these sessions are scheduled to take place, along with several other sessions — and start planning your own educational agenda today.

Also Start Planning Your Networking Agenda Today

The HFTP Annual Convention also presents several opportunities for connecting with fellow attendees. Be sure to check out all the special networking events taking place, including (all times listed in U.S. Central Time):

• the HFTP Attendee Orientation on Monday, Sept. 27 at 8:15 a.m.

• the Club Professionals Meet Up on Monday, Sept. 27 at 10:50 a.m.

• the First-Time Attendee Meet Up on Monday, Sept. 27 at 2:50 p.m.

• the HFTP Certifications Meet Up on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 10:00 a.m.

• the CHAE and CHTP Certification Event on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5:00 p.m. [invitation only]

• the HFTP Young Professionals Event on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 6:00 p.m.
  [exclusive to attendees under age of 30]

• the Annual Convention Closing Reception, sponsored by Tint by Filestack on Thursday, Sept....30 at 3:30 p.m.

You can also take advantage of the beverage breaks and the exhibit hall to meet up with your colleagues and vendors. View the Schedule of Events online for a full list of these opportunities.

HFTP Has Your Health and Safety...in Mind

HFTP has created an infographic detailing the robust health and safety measures that are being implemented to keep attendees safe during the event. Visit the HITEC website to view the graphic and learn more about these measures.