Dispatches from HFTP Global: CMAA World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo

Written By: Bryan Wood

I recently attended and represented HFTP at the CMAA 90th World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo that took place from February 7–11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida USA. The event was held at the Orlando World Center Marriott – an amazing Orlando resort, just across the freeway of MouseTown, where each night magically comes to an end with a 9:00 p.m. firework show. With a perfect view from my 14th-floor balcony at my hotel, I enjoyed watching the firework performance nightly.

You may have noticed via HFTP’s social and/or informational outlets – Facebook, Twitter (@HFTP), LinkedIn, Instagram (@HFTP_HITEC), YouTube, Flickr, HFTP News, PineappleSearch, HITEC Bytes, HFTP Club Bytes, HFTP Finance Bytes – that HFTP also had a booth (#209) and exhibited at the Club Business Expo. This year, we introduced HFTP Club Bytes during the tradeshow.

[caption id="attachment_9476" align="alignnone" width="690"] HFTP's booth #209 at the 90th CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo.[/caption]

HFTP Club Bytes (clubs.hftp.org) offers an outlet for organizations to publish their news and/or content to reach a network of thousands of club professionals across the globe. The global platform allows users to reach highly-targeted audience segments within their designated industry fields. Contributors receive the additional benefit of having their content published to both HFTP Club Bytes site as well as PineappleSearch.com, HFTP's hospitality-specific search site.

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• HFTP Club Bytes Flyer

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• PineappleSearch Content Suggestions

The traffic at the show was steady. Lots of visitors stopped by the HFTP booth to say hello, learn more or just to offer a simple thanks for being here to support the tradeshow.  Several club managers also thanked HFTP for hosting events (including chapter meetings) at their clubs – hats off to the HFTP chapter leaders!

HFTP also sponsored two sessions during the conference this year. I had the honor to address a room full of club managers about HFTP’s member benefits and services while following up with introducing the session speakers for our sponsored sessions. The CMAA conference served as a great way to reconnect with several HFTP members and vendors who also support HFTP’s conferences and events....[caption id="attachment_9477" align="alignnone" width="690"] 2017 CMAA World Conference location: Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida USA.[/caption]...While onsite at the conference, I received positive feedback from several of the club managers who mentioned they are very thankful for HFTP. I was extremely pleased to hear this feedback. HFTP is wholeheartedly dedicated to its members as well as the hospitality industry at large, and is continuously striving to create resourceful tools for industry professionals. Hearing the attendee’s feedback on HFTP’s services proves that we are making a positive impact on the industry....In my opinion, the benefits and services that HFTP provides to the industry, and to its members, are among the best offered at the price point for membership dues.  I am proud to wave the HFTP flag at events like this, and to help grow the association as well as our allied association support efforts....Next year's CMAA World Conference event will take place from March 2–6, 2018 at the Moscone West Center in San Francisco, California USA....

Bryan Wood is the Director of Membership Development & Services at HFTP. Contact Bryan at [email protected] or +1 (512) 220-4033.