Hospitality and tourism panel event
A group of key figures in the hospitality industry approached the business school with the idea of an event that could use their expertise and encourage innovation amongst those interested in a hospitality career.
The Department of Management took on the task of organising the event which promised to be an ideal opportunity for interested students to make good contacts with those already in the industry.
Fiona Conway, director of undergraduate Hospitality and Tourism Management, said, “This has become a real cross-faculty event. We have students from marketing, economics and management and also staff from across the faculty. The group from industry - who are currently on the Executive Masters in Hospitality Leadership programme - wanted to help identify new talent and generate new ideas and innovation which could be applied to the hospitality industry and this event is the result of that.”
The event on November 7 takes the form of a panel discussion, round table and networking event. David Cochrane, chief executive of Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT), along with the Dean, Professor Susan Hart, will welcome those attending and David will also be chairing the panel discussion.
Those from the Executive Masters programme who will be taking part are: Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Area General Manager, France Hilton Hotels; Stuart Smith, Director of Events and Leisure, Gleneagles; Tom Healy, Vice President Asset Management, Strategic Hotels and Resorts; Jennifer Medcalf, Managing Director, Tall Poppies; Gerhard Struger, General Manager and Regional Vice President Turkey and Eastern Europe, Swissotel; Peter Stack, Regional Operations Manager, Jurys Inns; Angela Vickers, Managing Director, Apex Hotels Ltd; Laurie Nicol, General Manager of the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, and Edward Harvey, Director of Operations, Marriott International.
The panel will be presenting their impressions of the current issues and trends facing the hospitality and tourism industry and answering audience questions. Students will have the opportunity to meet with the industry figures of their choice in a ‘speed dating’ event where they can pitch ideas, receive advice and perhaps make contacts for dissertations, projects or future career opportunities in an allotted time.
Fiona added, “This is a great opportunity for the students. They can meet with key personnel in the hospitality industry face to face who can then take forward any ideas or projects that they find interesting and applicable to their business. It’s a great example of how industry and university can work together for mutual benefit.”
As well as a networking buffet for all attending, selected research and honours student are also being given the opportunity to present their research topic in a poster presentation.
The Department of Management is hosting the event in Lecture Theatre 1, Cathedral Street Building, from 6.30-10.30pm. Places are limited and filling fast but anyone interested should contact Fiona Conway as soon as possible by email: fiona.conway@strath.ac.uk .
