The objectives of the Association are to foster and promote the professionalism, development and application of hospitality purchasing in all aspects including sourcing, buying, store management, inventory control, facilities management through the organisation of appropriate activities and services amongst its members includes:

• The organising of seminars, conferences, discussions, educational tours, courses related to hospitality purchasing.
• The publication of journals and other literature on hospitality purchasing and related materials
• The maintenance and sharing of information relating to hospitality purchasing and other related subjects.
• Co-operation and affiliation with local and international organisations whose interests and objects are similar or complementary to those of the Association.
• Social interaction within the hospitality industry.

Hospitality purchasing relates to all people in the trade of hotels, airlines, country clubs, restaurants, hospitals, fast food chains, catering on-shore, catering off-shore and other related hospitality business in the service industry.

The main function of the hospitality purchaser is the procurement of goods and services to the organisation of his or her employment. Examples are engineering supplies, food and beverage supplies, housekeeping supplies, etc.