Over 70 industry leaders and prize-winning learners - together with an expert panel - helped make our very first HOSPA Annual Student Awards Ceremony the major success it proved to be.
Big thanks for organising the January event go to the HOSPA Professional Development team under Debra Adams - a member of the excellent Awards Ceremony expert panel who gave us a fascinating insight into ‘Developing the Financial Management and Revenue Management professional - The Next Generation’. The overwhelming message delivered by the panelists - who, in addition to Debra, included: Paul Nisbett, Finance Director at Valor Hotels and Chairman of our Finance Committee; Simon Tarr, Chief Operating Officer at People 1st; and Michael Heyward, Heyward Hospitality Solutions and Chairman of our Revenue Management Committee - was that with the Apprenticeship Levy coming on stream on 6 April, the industry employers, staff in the workplace and potential employees need to take a new, careerlong view of apprenticeships. Keeping all the speakers on track with his probing questions was the chairman - the ever charming Professor Peter Jones MBE, HOSPA Professional Development Committee Chairman (See page six for Julian Demetriadi’s report on the discussion).
The prestigious new HOSPA event enabled us to celebrate the successes of the highest achievers from HOSPA’s Finance and Revenue Management Professional Development programmes. It was uplifting to see all the prize-winners rewarded for their hard work, supported by their colleagues, managers and in some cases mentors too. My heartfelt congratulations go to them all, as well as everyone who undertook the courses. Quite apart from broadening their knowledge to gain career progression, all our learners deserve our recognition and congratulations for fulfilling their learning obligations - submitting course work and sitting exams is no mean feat when you are fitting your studies around your day job.
It proved a great day too for Hilton. Not only did the The Hilton on Park Lane provide a magnificent tea and a spectacular setting for this glittering occasion, but Hilton as a whole received The HOSPA Outstanding Company Commitment to Professional Development Award 2016. We were delighted to welcome Hilton’s Ricarda Both, Senior Manager, Operations Finance EMEA, who received the HOSPA glass trophy on behalf of the company from Professor Jones. This was a Professional Development Committee award, in recognition of Hilton’s outstanding commitment in promoting and developing education in the hospitality industry.
Away from the Awards Ceremony, February saw Firmdale hotels inviting HOSPA to participate in their employee engagement week. During the week, Firmdale encouraged all their employees to take advantage of the benefits available to them. They were an inspired bunch of people, and it was clear that the Firmdale management choose their staff carefully, and then look after them well. HOSPA welcomed the opportunity to speak with Firmdale staff, already enrolled on some of our courses, and to meet those who were keen to find out more about our programmes. We are always happy to attend such events and come to meet hospitality industry teams to share the benefits of studying with HOSPA and being part of our membership. So please don’t hesitate to ask us, we are here to help you!
I am pleased to say that already we are well underway with our plans for HOSPACE2017 and very excited about our new central London venue at The Lancaster London. We are having regular meetings there and watching the on-going refurbishment, which will all be completed months before the big day: 2 November. On 21 March, we will be hosting an open meeting and buffet lunch at the hotel - offering an opportunity for exhibitors and sponsors to view the space and decide how best to present their brands later this year. If you are interested in joining us on that day, then please send me an email Jane.Pendlebury@HOSPA.org and I will book you in.
Holding Members’ Meetings is a prime HOSPA objective to keep you updated and abreast on current industry issues and developments. Our next meeting will take place during ScotHot in Glasgow on Wednesday 15 March. Watch our website www.hospa.org for details.
At HOSPA, it is not all work and yes, we have moments to play! Our popular social events include the London Quiz Night on 6 July - to be held once again at Browns on St Martin’s Lane; and our Scottish Quiz Night on 13 September - to be staged again at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow. Please register your teams as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as they are always extremely popular events.
We also look forward to seeing you at many of the hospitality industry’s key conferences and functions - also great opportunities to network with HOSPA members.
Please keep an eye on the HOSPA website www.hospa.org to make sure you are making the most of your membership by joining us at these events. I look forward to seeing you!
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