In a move that reinforces the Caribbean's position on the global hospitality stage, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced a strategic partnership with the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). This multi-year collaboration promises to unlock exclusive opportunities and world-class educational tools for CHTA members, bringing the region closer to cutting-edge innovation.

Through this partnership, CHTA members will receive complimentary access to HITEC North America, the largest hospitality technology conference in the world, held from June 16 to 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. Attendees will benefit from:

• An exhibit hall featuring 300+ leading tech companies
• Exclusive headliner sessions and welcome events
• Technology showcases and startup pitch competitions
• VIP access to HFTP’s educational resources and the 12th edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI)

Additionally, members receive discounted HFTP memberships and certifications via the HFTP Academy and preferred pricing for the 2025 HSMAI Commercial Strategy Conference, held concurrently with HITEC.

This latter event is a landmark for hospitality professionals. It merges previously separate marketing, revenue, and sales conferences into a single powerful event, echoing the industry trend of unified commercial strategy teams.

Vanessa Ledesma, CEO of CHTA, emphasized the broader vision:

"Our goal at CHTA is to connect our members with the most impactful opportunities in the global hospitality space. These partnerships reinforce our commitment to education, innovation, and industry leadership."

For a region as tourism-dependent as the Caribbean, access to global platforms like HITEC and HSMAI represents more than a benefit—it’s a bridge to the future.