Event Preview: HME Safety and Security Summit 2015
This year, the Hotelier Middle East Safety and Security Summit will address issues from ROI on manpower,
to benchmarking and measuring performance
Back by popular demand, Hotelier Middle East will hold its second Safety and Security Summit on June 2 at Grosvenor House, Dubai. This year’s Hotelier Middle East Safety and Security Summit builds on the success of last year’s event, which attracted 113 directors of security, engineering and HSE.
The event provides a forum for safety and security professionals from the region’s hotels to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face on a day-to-day basis, and to learn from the best practice of their peers in a mutually supportive environment.
For delegates, the event will address issues ranging from ROI on systems and manpower, to benchmarking and measuring performance, among other topics.
MEET THE PANELLISTS
Hotelier Middle East caught up with two of the confirmed panellists who will take to the stage at the Hotelier Middle East Safety and Security Summit 2015. Here, Muhammad Ihsanullah Qamar, cluster director of environment, health & safety, Rotana Hotels, and Martin Mueller, cluster director of engineering, Crowne Plaza & InterContinental Festival City share their thoughts on the hot topics being discussed in safety and security departments, and the issues they would like to see tackled at the event.
Hotelier: What are the key opportunities and challenges in safety and security departments in the Middle East hotel industry?
Qamar: I think we need frequent meetings among security professionals of different hotels, and all relevant stakeholders should be taken on board. It’s time to have a steering committee at a governmental level taking in professionals from the industry and students.
Additionally, diversity exists in many hotels, so we need to work on a more uniform approach to security and safety. This involves sharing best practice and how to deal with the main challenges as well.
Mueller: Some of the challenges include consistently changing local laws that require cost and time, leading to a high turnover of staff. The majority of young people work for this profession and consider it as an opportunity to enter into an organisation and later move on to something else.
There are limited training opportunities and career growth due to greater opportunities outside of the hotel industry. Additionally, there is a lack of funding for manning as our industry is becoming more technical / IT driven.
Hotelier: How do you work with the police, ambulance and civil defence to ensure the security of staff and guests at your hotel?
Qamar: It is very crucial to have a close collaboration with local authorities including police, ambulance and civil defence. We do mock drills to test how prepared we are and to identify further improvements to be made. Moreover, we keep a close eye on the legislation by these authorities in order to ensure compliance.
Mueller: We organise regular meetings with local and area management in charge, conduct drills together, and attend seminars and workshops hosted by authorities.
Hotelier: How do you communicate with other departments regarding safety and security — is this something you would like to see improve?
Qamar: 2015 is the year of innovation so we have gone digital in our hotels too. We have enhanced communications online, utilising IT-related tools more efficiently. A few of the tools beings used to communicate include shared drive, intranet further improved by alerts and notifications, and other conventional methods such as emails et cetera.
Mueller: We dedicate half a day to on-boarding for new joiners, concentrating on safety and security topics. On a monthly basis we issue a ‘topic of the month’ report on safety and security. This is communicated to all hotel colleagues to create and maintain awareness.
Key topics for the event are:
• The structure and roles of the security department and best practice from around the world
• Working with police, ambulance & civil defence
• How the security department can help the business in generating revenue
• How security can help in reducing costs
• How security performance is measured in the hospitality and leisure sector
• The international guidelines or standards for security and safety and how the region compares on a global scale
• Latest technology being used
Event Timings
08.00am Registration & Coffee
09.00am Conference session 1
10.30am Morning Break
11.00am Conference session 2
12.00pm Roundtable sessions
01.00pm Networking lunch
02.00pm End
Sponsorship
With more than 125 safety and security professionals expected to attend the event, the Hotelier Middle East: Safety and Security Summit will provide the ideal platform for sponsors to position their brand, meet potential customers and existing clients, and gain access to the hoteliers who are the key decision makers signing off budgets.
For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Stephen Price on +971 4 444 3246 or Stephen.Price@itp.com
Event Details
DATE: June 2, 2015
VENUE: Grosvenor House, Dubai
The event is free to attend for heads of safety, security and engineering.
To secure your free place, please contact Amanda Elisha: +971 4 444 3463 / Amanda.Elisha@itp.com
For speaking opportunities, please contact Michael McGill: +971 4 444 3636 / Michael.McGill@itp.com