4 minute read
FUTURE LEADERS FORUM
from HM June 2023
Just say yes!
RISING STARS AND ESTABLISHED HOTELIERS UNITED TO TALK LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES AT THE FUTURE LEADERS FORUM IN ADELAIDE. RUTH HOGAN REPORTS.
The second iteration of the Future Leaders Forum took place at SkyCity Adelaide on May 2, kicking off the 2023 Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE).
The under-35s leadership event celebrated emerging talent in the industry and shared powerful career stories from those in established leadership positions.
The afternoon sessions included thought-provoking panel discussions including The Future of Real Estate and The Investors’ Outlook, as well as insightful interviews and presentations.
Hotel leaders from Accor, IHG, Choice, Marriott, Jucy Snooze and Ascott took to the stage to share their outlook and expectations on a range of issues.
The leaders spoke about the rise of AI technologies such as Chat GPT and how these can be embraced as a tool for hotels alongside the personal touch delivered by team members. They also delved into ways that hotels can differentiate themselves to become attractive employers to young people in the industry.
“We’ve got to fight to attract you to our industry; we’ve got to do a better job,” Mansfield told the young leaders in the room.
“Everyone deserves a place to be themselves, we have to remove unconscious bias and provide a place that makes everyone feel welcome.”
Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry shared a piece of advice for young people in the industry, saying: “Don’t wait ‘til you’re ready. Make that career move or put your hand up for something when you’re not ready because you will learn when you have the right mentors and the right people around you.”
Quest Orange Franchisee and General Manager Amy Van de Ven spoke about her journey to lead the business, becoming the youngest franchisee ever in the history of Quest at 27 years old.
“My parents have always had their own small business and watching them when I was younger, I always knew I wanted to work for myself,” she explained.
It was her open mindset and can-do attitude that helped open doors in her career, she explained.
“I said yes; I said yes to everything. I said yes to jumping in the kitchen to wash the dishes. I said yes, I want to learn reservations. Yes, I want to learn housekeeping. I just have always had a really big learning mindset and a really hands on approach to business and my learning and growth,” she said.
We’ve got to fight to attract you to our industry; we’ve got to do a better job.
- David Mansfield, Ascott Australia
In a one-on-one interview with AHICE Chair and Convenor James Wilkinson, Travel and Leisure Co. President and Managing Director International Operations, Wyndham Vacation Clubs, Barry Robinson, spoke about his early career which saw him move from New Zealand to Indonesia, to Jakarta, and then to China, and beyond.
Robinson spoke of his first hospitality job behind a bar in New Zealand at the age of 13, as well as his time in China, saying it was “a really steep learning curve around culture and languages”.
Young Hotel Leaders (YHL) committee members Amelia Perez and Hannah Vale took to the stage to share how they are building a support network for young people on their career journey.
The discussions continued over drinks at a networking event held at Sol, atop Skycity Adelaide, to round out the day.
Principal Partner Message
Simon Pawson, Torrens University
WHAT AN EXCITING time to be part of this incredible industry as confidence in regional Australia tourism was reverberating.
This event is always an annual highlight for me. I am invigorated by the wisdom and camaraderie shared. I see so many BMIHMS alumni faces, long-time industry friends, and I meet amazing newcomers.
This year, I moderated the Australasia Pacific Hotel Leaders Outlook panel as well as the Human Resources Leaders panel, and in both conversations, panellists shared how important training is in our industry. Cultivating staff enables innovation that keeps hotels fresh, exciting and sought after. And hotel management vocational and higher education ensures thriving careers that keep the industry vibrant.
