At first – and even second and third look, Neil Foster’s profession within the hospitality business offers no impression of being an accident. As a substitute, Foster has spent the final quarter century making a big mark on the business whereas working with lodge firms and know-how distributors to uncover higher methods of doing enterprise. And but, Foster himself would describe his introduction to the hospitality world as a contented accident.
What started with washing dishes and bussing tables later developed into a task as an digital information processing supervisor. Since then, Foster has been on the helm of varied hospitality manufacturers at transformative inflection factors. In the present day, Foster is the World President of HFTP, the world-renowned hospitality spokes group for the finance and know-how segments of the hospitality business. Bringing a holistic worldview that balances the wants of each hoteliers and distributors, Foster is poised to proceed his resounding influence on the hospitality business nicely into the long run.
With HITEC simply across the nook, I had the chance to take a seat down with Foster to debate the evolution of his profession, the wide-reading technological developments he’s witnessed (or been part of), and naturally, all issues HITEC Toronto.
Foster’s foray into the hospitality business started within the mid-’90s in a decidedly humble style. My first jobs included washing dishes and bussing tables in Northwestern Ontario,
he reiterates. As I look again, this early publicity to the business was the proper basis, because it supplied me a uniquely grounded perspective. I realized early on that company and exterior viewpoints don’t all the time replicate the truth of the entrance strains.
When requested what he loves most concerning the business, Foster’s reply arrives with out hesitation. It’s the folks I like most about this business – and what’s stored me right here through the years,
he shares. It’s due to this that I’ve such an enthusiastic view of know-how. Once we discover platforms or processes that remedy issues and get rid of friction inside workflows, we’ve got a significant influence on the folks working throughout the business. By embracing revolutionary know-how that makes life simpler, we set up a greater workers expertise and assist our folks concentrate on offering the very best visitor expertise.
Foster grew to become an HFTP member in 2000 and pursued his CHTP certification in 2001. Considered one of my early bosses, the late Carl Johnston, took me alongside to an HFTP assembly within the early days; I felt instantly at dwelling,
he explains. The CHTP impressed an enduring reference to the affiliation and granted me additional alternatives to become involved with the councils, chapters, the board, and the chief committee through the years.
Quick ahead to at this time, and Foster has the consideration of serving as HFTP World President for 2022-2023. I’m deeply grateful and proud to serve the Affiliation as President this yr, following within the footsteps of the various superb leaders over HFTP’s 71-year historical past. I couldn’t do it with out the help and encouragement of fellow members, business leaders, and numerous colleagues, of whom there are too many to say right here,
he recounts warmly. And from my earliest days within the business with Starwood, I have to attribute a particular acknowledgment to Kosta Tomazos, Carl Johnston, and Dave Norton (now not with us), who all the time supported and inspired my involvement with HFTP within the early years.
Foster notes that the development to HFTP president doesn’t occur in a single day – after time spent on the Govt Board, the Govt Committee time period spans 5 years. Working with a various board of dedicated administrators and a succesful govt group beneath Frank Wolfe’s management has made the transition into this function clean,
he explains, including that he has spent the previous few months refreshing his information on the various members and stakeholders HFTP serves. It’s been a really constructive begin to the time period as our business embraces the post-pandemic period, and I’m fortunate to be with out the various constraints my most up-to-date predecessors, Mark Pate and Michael Levie, needed to take care of. Michael and Mark have served HFTP as efficient disaster leaders, serving to maintain issues collectively by means of the undeniably tough pandemic whereas concurrently working by means of unfamiliar affiliation developments. I really feel as well-prepared and supported as anybody can hope to be. I stay up for finishing up a profitable time period, along with an unbelievable Govt Council, Board, and Govt Workforce, in service to our members. It is really an honor to serve, and I am grateful to be right here.
When requested concerning the latest transformation of the hospitality business, Foster aptly phrases it a “full-scale revolution” that has moved our deceptively easy, people-centered sector into a brand new period centered round know-how. To say I really feel fortunate to be a part of this journey can be a gross understatement,
he shares. As I acquired began on this business area of interest, e mail and industrial web adoption had been solely simply starting, and an EDP (digital information processing) supervisor function had solely simply turn into a actuality for a 300-room lodge.
In line with Foster, early assignments inside his EDP function which included “upgrading” the lodge occasions logging course of (a giant e book) to an early S&C system, putting in a primary touchscreen POS system (Squirrel), and changing an ageing PMS resolution (HIS) hosted on an IBM System 36 (with 10” floppy disks for backup) to Fidelio (now Oracle Cloud PMS).
As know-how has developed to span the breadth of all features of a lodge’s operation, some organizations have elected to realign know-how (which is now not a subset of finance) to make sure your complete group’s wants might be served successfully and evenly,
Foster explains. On this method, choices are much less prone to be made based mostly on price with out enough session with probably the most useful stakeholders – the customers. Moreover, we are able to lastly have an open dialogue concerning the enterprise-wide dangers that hinge on considerate course of design (i.e., visitor information safety and safety). Over time, I’ve seen an inclusive, rigorously managed, and consultative method results in the very best know-how outcomes.
In case you ask Foster, the success of know-how should be gauged by its potential to help constructive human experiences.
Foster at present resides in Vancouver, BC, along with his household however spent lots of his childhood in Toronto, which he nonetheless affectionately calls “the large smoke.” He notes that the town has a lot to supply – particularly in the summertime – making it the proper location for HITEC 2023. It offers me nice pleasure to see HITEC in Canada once more, particularly in Toronto, the place I spent probably the most childhood of my profession with Starwood. I all the time consider Toronto as a uniquely welcoming place, the place residents from around the globe can embrace and rejoice the very best of their cultures with the assistance of festivals, cultural facilities, and a sturdy number of culturally-influenced eating choices,
he shares. There are such a lot of issues to see and do within the metropolis, so remember to try ideas earlier than HITEC to get probably the most out of your journey.
Foster additionally notes that the final HITEC in Toronto in 2017 set an attendance report with over 6,500 attendees. Not solely that, however the suggestions was overwhelmingly constructive. To date, HITEC Toronto 2023 is shaping as much as be one other nice success, with sales space gross sales 99% bought as of late April and registrations trending above regular,
Foster reveals. I’m particularly excited to share {that a} stellar training program is coming collectively for this occasion, because of Shannon, Steve, the HITEC Advisory Council they co-chair, and Bryan and Allison on the chief group. Whereas we are able to’t let all of the cats out of the luggage simply but, we’re thrilled to announce a particular reception in honor of Girls in Hospitality Know-how.
In line with Foster, HFTP is increasing on this theme by constructing a complete, data-driven profile of girls main the best way in innovation.
Girls within the business with technology-connected tasks are inspired to finish this survey for an opportunity to be highlighted alongside different feminine leaders within the business,
he provides. I hope to see you all in Toronto for a HITEC you gained’t wish to miss!
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Lauren Ramesbottom
Head of Content material, Puzzle Companion
Puzzle Companion Ltd.
