The Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) has announced that it will host an event called IHI Hospitality and Tourism Professionals Day virtually on November 26.
The aim of IHI Hospitality and Tourism Professionals Day is to provide support and solidarity at a critical time for the hospitality industry.
The event, which will have a focus on the future, will provide a platform for hospitality and tourism business owners and managers to discuss rebuilding business, addressing in particular the issue of retaining talent in the industry.
Decision makers from hotels, restaurants, visitors attractions, and tourism, travel and education businesses are invited to attend the online event for free.
During the event, tourism futurist Valentina Doorly will look at the megatrends that will dictate the future of the tourism and hospitality industry, and how business models need to adapt to rebuild.
Travel writer Pól O'Conghaile will lead a panel discussion on what 2021 will look like from a travel perspective and what it will mean for the industry. The panel's speakers will look at what makes for a good staycation experience in a COVID world, lessons learned from the last recession that are applicable now and sustainability in the tourism industry.
Other key industry professionals will discuss topics such as "Leadership Through an Unstable Landscape" and "What Next for Tourism & Hospitality Professionals - The Rebuild".
In addition to Doorly and O'Conghaile, speakers will include Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) chair Ruth Andrews, Fáilte Ireland sector development director Jenny De Saulles, Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) president Elaina Fitzgerald Kane and Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) CEO Adrian Cummins, among other industry representatives, and President Michael D. Higgins will close the event with a keynote address to the industry.
There will also be ample opportunities for virtual networking at the event, and a series of "Bringing Industry Together" videos will showcase those working in hospitality and tourism on social media.
Recognising And Celebrating Commitment And Passion
IHI president and MD of The Innovate Room Oonagh Cremins stated, "We are honoured to announce that President Michael D. Higgins will give a keynote address at our upcoming IHI Hospitality and Tourism Professionals Day. The event will recognise and celebrate the commitment and passion of our hospitality professionals and educators, many of which are going through their most challenging year.
"The event is a must for anyone in the industry looking for strategic direction, advice and support. The key message on the day will be that we are all a community experiencing the same difficulties, but we need to focus on the future and rebuild from here. Retention of talent is now also at a critical stage, with many of our colleagues changing careers because of a fear of the unknown, so we will address that in detail as retention will be key to the future recovery of our sector."
Those who want to take part in the IHI Hospitality and Tourism Professionals Day should visit www.ihi.ie to register for the event.
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
