Upcoming HFTP Annual Convention Features Top Hotelier Panelists, Featured in New HFTP Academy Micro-certificate Program

A highlight of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP®) upcoming Annual Convention is the session, “Navigating Challenges in 2025: How Hotel Owners and Management Companies Can Collaborate Successfully.” Speaking on the panel are top hoteliers John Murray, president and CEO for Sonesta International Hotels Corp. and Blair Wills, president and CEO for StepStone Hospitality. Scheduled for October 23, the conversation will be moderated by Robert Mandelbaum, research director for CBRE Hotels Research and a director on the HFTP Global Board. The Annual Convention is October 23–25 at The Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino.

Being able to learn directly from the leadership of these top hotel companies is invaluable and makes attending events like the Annual Convention essential, said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. Important to this happening and getting top-tier speakers like John and Blair to participate is largely due to the dedicated and connected network of the advisory council members.

For the session, Murray and Wills are to discuss how the role of financial managers has evolved to include collaborating with multiple stakeholders such as financial institutions, owners, management companies, and the hotel operations team. The panelists will explore key topics such as 2025 strategic planning, budget priorities, and capital allocation including renovations and asset sales. They will help the audience understand the challenges posed by an underperforming market and the widening gap between luxury and midscale properties.

As CEO, John Murray oversees Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, the eighth-largest U.S. hotel company, with approximately 1,100 hotels across 13 brands in eight countries. He is also an EVP of The RMR Group and is a member of the RMR Executive Operating Committee. Blair Wills has over 24-years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to his roles with StepStone he was a vice president at Hotel Asset Value Enhancement where he was responsible for the asset management of a portfolio that included Marriott, Hyatt, independent, and other luxury branded hotels.

This session will serve as content for HFTP Academy’s new micro-certificates to be released in early-Winter 2024. The courses will derive from sessions presented at the 2024 HFTP Annual Convention. The three courses include: Innovative Strategies in Hospitality Finance; Optimizing Club Operations for Success; and Leveraging AI for Club Success. 2024 Annual Convention attendees can take the courses for free, otherwise the courses will be available for a nominal fee.

View the full schedule for the 2024 Annual Convention and visit the site to register.