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Beyond the Balance Sheet: Lessons from HFTP Orlando
- Suzanne Bagnera
- 16 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The annual HFTP Conference in Orlando brought together leaders from across hospitality finance, accounting, and club management for three days of connection, learning, and laughter. While technology sits in the organization’s name, this event differs from HITEC’s massive vendor floor. The focus here is intimacy, conversation, and personal connection—the kind of professional recharge that comes from shared meals, genuine talks, and the right balance of inspiration and strategy.
The conference opened with a celebration of leadership and service as Dr. Katerina Berezina, Associate Professor and Hospitality Management Program Director at the University of Mississippi, received the HFTP President’s Award. Presented by HFTP Global President Justin Taillon, the honor recognized her long-standing dedication to the association—from her start as a student member to her current role on the Global Board.
The audience, still largely male, saw a growing presence of women this year—especially on stage. From high-energy keynotes to a women’s networking breakfast that encouraged authentic dialogue, this year’s conference reinforced what it means to lead with purpose, presence, and empathy. Here are five takeaways:
1. Recommit to Your “Day 1” Energy
Author and leadership coach Antonio Neves, best known for Stop Living on Autopilot, opened with a challenge: “How does the cork of your life smell right now?” His message was about renewal. Would your boss rehire you? Would your partner recommit to you? Would your kids choose you again? The call to action: bring the same curiosity and commitment you had on your first day—every day.
Neves urged attendees to find the edge in their work. “If you’re not close enough to the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” His reminder to women in leadership: stop waiting for perfect conditions. Remake the recipe with the ingredients you have, show up fully, and surround yourself with allies who fill your energy—not thieves who drain it.
2. Communication Is Culture
Leanne Lagasse, communication strategist and professor, tackled one of the most persistent leadership gaps: clarity. Only 45 percent of employees know what’s expected of them. The real villain, she said, is role ambiguity. Her three rhythms for connection—clarity, recognition, and feedback—were simple yet powerful.
Ask employees where they feel unclear, recognize them specifically and personally, and build a feedback culture where it’s safe to speak up. As Lagasse warned, “Engagement isn’t lost in big moments. It’s lost in the slow drip of daily miscommunication.”
3. Lead Like Ted Lasso
Julie Rohrer’s Lunch-and-Learn, “Emotional Intelligence the Ted Lasso Way: Believe, Lead, Succeed,” brought emotional intelligence to life. Her seven lessons read like a roadmap for modern leadership:
Know yourself first.
Lead with vulnerability—admit when you don’t know, own mistakes, share your “why.”
Regulate emotions to stay present.
Practice empathy as presence, not fixing.
Use gratitude to reset tone and reduce burnout.
Model the culture you want.
Be curious, not judgmental.
Each point reinforced the same truth: emotional intelligence isn’t soft—it’s strategic.
4. Laughter Builds Connection
Comedian and longtime HFTP member Sandy Ehlers brought warmth and relatability to the stage. Her humor about life in hospitality hit home, balancing the heavy leadership themes with genuine laughter. Ehlers’s performance was more than comic relief—it reminded attendees that connection thrives where authenticity and humor meet.
5. Women’s Networking Breakfast: Confidence in Connection
The conference closed with the Women’s Networking Breakfast, a highlight for many. Around the table sat Shannon McCallum, Vice President of Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas, president of the HFTP Las Vegas Chapter, and secretary of the HFTP Global Board of Directors, and Sherry Marek, CEO of Aiken Street and HFTP Global Executive Committee Advisor.
Together, they created an open space for candid discussion. Younger and first-time female attendees shared that they often feel isolated in their jobs or hesitant to network. The breakfast gave them permission to re-engage, reconnect, and recognize that others share the same experiences. What began as small talk over coffee turned into mentorship moments and career-confidence boosts.
Top Takeaways
Recommit daily. Bring “Day 1” energy to your work and relationships.
Clarify expectations. Ambiguity erodes trust; precision builds it.
Communicate often. Engagement grows in daily conversations, not annual reviews.
Lead with EQ. Emotional intelligence drives retention and innovation.
Recognize and thank. Gratitude fuels loyalty more than perks.
Laugh and connect. Humor disarms hierarchy and creates belonging.
Find your circle. Build allies who challenge and uplift you.
HFTP Orlando proved that leadership in hospitality is shifting. Beyond spreadsheets and systems lies the heart of connection—energy, empathy, and edge. Whether you sit in finance, accounting, or club management, the next evolution of leadership isn’t about technology alone. It’s about people who believe, lead, and succeed—together.
Mark your calendar for the next HFTP Annual Convention, taking place September 22–24, 2026, at the Peppermill Resort, Spa & Casino in Reno, Nevada.
Dr. Suzanne Bagnera is an Assistant Professor and Director of Executive Education at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.