Copy + Paste

It's becoming harder to find a USP or differentiator in the industry. If it's working, then soon enough, everyone's doing it. What trailblazers know is that it's always better to be copied than to copy because creativity, ideas, and dedication to get something right are what sustains you. The research, the trials and errors, the sweat and tears, and the failures you endured before achieving the result creates experience that can't be bought, taught, or copied. Experience defines you and designs you. It breathes soul into everything you do. It's infectious. It makes people want to get to know and understand how you do the things you do. It inspires them to try. Last month we filled a ballroom full of honest, hard-working professionals, leaders, pioneers, heavyweights, and rising stars who have poured their experience, ingenuity, and passion into the region's hospitality sector to make it what it is. In this issue, we dedicate our pages to all the night's winners. Thank you again for your nominations, participation, and collaboration and congratulations once again on being shortlisted and making your way to the main stage. To all the outstanding winners of the Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2023, may you continue to inspire.

Being young and ambitious is great, but experience matters. It matters because it shows up when it counts, the work, the results, how you handle yourself, situations, and curve balls. Talking the talk doesn't cut it. The proof, as I've said before, is in the pudding. Your work should always speak for itself, but if you are doing most of the talking for your work – it might be a good idea to put your work boots on and get some skin in the game. I've sat down with a handful of successful hospitality professionals lately in a new video series we launched to pick their brains and find out how they got here and how they do what they do. I discovered some similarities that can be attributed to their success - they know who they are, they've done the work, found their 'why' and earned their titles.

It's challenging to invent something new in today's world, it's equally difficult to stand out in a crowd full of intelligent, well-liked, and respected people.

Setting things straight: In the March issue of HCNME, we featured Andrea Brugnetti, Head Chef from Jumeirah Beach Hotel in our Making Delicious Possible series. Chef Andrea’s designation was mistakenly misprinted, we have rectified the error and would like to clarify that Chef Andrea is the Head Chef at Jumeirah Beach Hotel and not Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. HCNME apologies for the error.

SEYMONE L MOODLEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF seymone@bncpublishing.net

Seymone Leigh Moodley seymonemoodley

Deliveroo Launches First Editions Site In Abu Dhabi

Deliveroo UAE has announced the launch of its first Editions site in Abu Dhabi. The new site located in the capital is set to open up a whole new range of neighbourhoods for restaurants to expand their delivery radius. In addition to the variety of restaurants extending their reach through Editions, Deliveroo is transporting some of its most popular Dubai brands to the capital for the very first time. Deliveroo Editions is the company’s revolutionary food and beverage platform that brings a wide range of cuisine options to customers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Launched in 2017, Deliveroo Editions was one of the first concepts of its kind to be introduced to the UAE market. Throughout the years, Deliveroo has continued to grow and set trends in the deliveryonly kitchen industry. Following the success of the Editions sites in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi expansion marks an important milestone for Deliveroo, which has continued to perfect its Editions model over the last 6 years.

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, unveils its first property in Spain with the opening of JW Marriott Hotel Madrid. Located in the cultural charm of the Canalejas zone, next to the iconic, dynamic, and bustling Puerta del Sol, the luxurious new hotel sits in the heart of the city; moments away from prestigious art institutions and theatres.

“With each new opening, JW Marriott brings a legacy of luxury hospitality combined with the brand’s foundation of holistic well-being,” said Candice D Cruz, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Hotel Madrid captures the essence of the city and encourages guests to disconnect from daily stressors and distractions so that they can focus on reconnecting with what matters most to them.”