Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce that Hospitality Upgrade has been named the official publication of the Boutique Hotel Owners Conference powered by BLLA, which will be held September 29-30, 2025, in Westlake Village, CA, USA. The partnership will bring exclusive coverage and insights to the independent boutique and luxury hospitality industry.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with BLLA for their Owners Conference,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “Hospitality Upgrade is dedicated to providing valuable technology information and resources to industry professionals, and we look forward to highlighting the innovation and creativity that defines the boutique and luxury hospitality sector.”

As part of the collaboration, the upcoming issue of Hospitality Upgrade’s HITEC edition will feature a special section showcasing technology trends, challenges, and success stories within the independent boutique hotel industry.

Frances Kiradjian, BLLA’s Founder and CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to be working with Hospitality Upgrade to shine a spotlight on BLLA’s expansive boutique community. This collaboration will provide valuable insights and inspiration for our conference attendees and industry colleagues.”

Stay tuned for exclusive coverage of the BLLA Owners Conference in the upcoming HITEC issue of Hospitality Upgrade. The print publication will be available for all conference attendees, and available online at mag.hospitalityupgrade.com.

For more information about Hospitality Upgrade and HFTP or receive a copy of this special issue, visit hospitalityupgrade.com and www.hftp.org. To learn more about BLLA and the Owners Conference, visit www.blla.org and bllaevents.com.

About BLLA

Established in 2009, the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) is the world’s most innovative and influential association for independent boutique hotels, brands, and suppliers. Dedicated to championing the unique essence of boutique hospitality, BLLA offers unparalleled networking opportunities, industry insights, and advocacy initiatives to its global membership base. With a mission to elevate and empower independent hotel owners and operators, BLLA continues to shape the future of hospitality through innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The organization is a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement. The corporate manifesto showcases BLLA as a catalyst for trends and the future of the boutique lifestyle, focusing mainly on hospitality. BLLA.org. Experience the intention video behind BLLA Events.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with an offices in the EU. HFTP is recognized as a group supporting the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world’s largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Hotel-Online and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org.

Geneva Rinehart
SVP, Media Division
HFTP