Today (November 19, 2013) procurement professionals from across the Middle East hotel industry are gathering in Dubai to attend the first ever Hotelier Middle East Procurement Summit.
Hosted at the Oberoi, Dubai hotel, hospitality experts from across the region have come together to discuss the opportunities and debate the key challenges facing the hotel industry.
For anyone who isn't able to make today's event, the Hotelier Middle East team will be keeping you updated on all the interesting news and views as they surface throughout the day in our LIVE blog below.
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To find out more about the Hotelier Middle East Procurement Summit 2013, make sure to check out our event preview detailing exactly what you can expect to see and hear about today.
To keep in touch during the event you can message us on twitter at @HotelierME and use the hashtag #Procurement13 to join the conversation.
08.30: The day's delegates, sponsors and exhibitors have all started to arrive at the Oberoi, Dubai hotel for this first ever Hotelier Middle East Procurement Summit. After taking the opportunity to grab a quick coffee and a chat with their fellow industry experts, soon the sumit attendees will be taking their seats in time for the first panel session of the day.
9.10: The day begins with a keynote address from the winner of the Hotelier Middle East Procurement Person of the Year 2012, Atlantis the Palm's director of procurement Bhanu Singh.
09.30: Bhanu Singh reminds everyone of the importance of industry cooperation, and why gathering more than 100 procurement specialists in one place today is an unusual opportunity.
Singh also highlights the difficulties faced by procurement specialists that ‘Every day the hotel has to run to the expectations of the customer, while also having to run to the financial limits of the owner.”
“How do you select the best possible service when you are going for the lowest possible cost. You can’t always go for the lost price as that does not help the hotel improve and deliver the best product,” he admits.
According to Singh the future of cost savings lies with technology, with online purchasing channels, and e-bidding systems vital to maximizing revenue.
He also reminds the summit that hotel procurement managers are not competing against each other, and it’s important to share their expertise amongst each other.
According to Singh, after a previous supplier audit carried out by the Atlantis, 58% of its vendors failed ISO food safety compliance. Rather than dropping them, Atlantis decided to work with them, give them feedback and help them to comply with international standards. Afterwards, only 4 suppliers failed the 2nd audit and had to be permanently dropped.
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