The 2016 Hotelier Middle East: Executive Housekeeper Forum built on the success of previous events, attracting 12 high profile speakers and 147 senior housekeeping professionals. The forum kicked off with the first of the newly introduced ‘Take 10: How To’ sessions, delivered by Pamini Hemaprabha, executive housekeeper, regional rooms specialist & master trainer, Emirates Palace, who took the delegates through 10 minutes of breathing properly to help them iron out the stress they faced in their busy days.
09.15: CASE STUDY: Developing an inclusion programme
Nadine O’Connor, housekeeping manager, business excellence & CSR manager, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and Vimala De Souza, coordinator of People Receiving Independence and Dignity through Employment (PRIDE) Programme, Manzil — Centre for Challenged Individuals, hosted a brief presentation on inclusion programmes in the hospitality industry.
O’Connor introduced the work Manzil has been doing, and said: “Over the last 10 years, we’re seeing great changes in the industry — talking about CSR and sustainability for the environment. But sustainability just for the environment isn’t enough. We need to go a little bit further, and talk about diversity and inclusion. We’re starting to see more recruitment strategies focusing on diversity, particularly around nationality and gender mixes. We also need to go further and talk about inclusive workforce. This means we can reach to a wider community.”
The mission of the PRIDE programme at Manzil, according to De Souza, is to enable students to be significant members of the mainstream society, where the learning places emphasis on functional activity rather than bookish programmes.
After the presentation, Hotelier polled some of the delegates about this issue. Ritz-Carlton DIFC director of housekeeping Mercy Fernandez and Yosh Hospitality LLC assistant property manager Manuel Canlas have both worked in countries (China and Singapore) where governments pushed for inclusion in the industry, and Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai executive housekeeper Lovelynn Clark said: “I made a note to speak to HR because it’s quite vital to get them on-board, and integrate with the community.” Abhilash Bandaru, assistant executive housekeeper, IFA Residential Services, concluded: “I never thought about this before, and this is an eye-opener.”
Sponsors said:
“The 2016 forum saw a stronger turnout of visitors than before and was an excellent opportunity for Restonic to showcase our new product to all the housekeeping managers from leading hotels in the UAE. Once again it was a fantastic effort by Hotelier Middle East to bring together all these housekeepers and deliver a very successful forum. We look forward to partnering with this event again in future.”
Sagaren Pillai, marketing manager, Restonic
“A great platform and the only opportunity for us to understand challenges the housekeeper faces day-to-day and to address them with new products and innovation. I must say you should consider including one or two suppliers in the panel to answer the questions of the housekeepers and it has to be a two-way communication because the problem can only be solved with better solution or innovation. By including suppliers, the housekeepers themselves can even make the use of the forum better and can make the most out of it.”
Noman Abdul, managing director, Rapid Supplies
“It was a great open platform of discussion to exhibit our products, have a wide exposure and opportunity to meet and socialise with all major potential clients across the region.”
Harsha Theresa B, customer service executive, Dimara International
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“It has been a great networking opportunity for us to see all our existing clients at the same time.”
Zubeyde Azak, area manager, Alina
“This is the third year we have taken part, and I could see that this year were many more participants, which made the event much more efficient. It is very important to organise such events as it is great opportunity for networking. For sure, we will take part again.”
Eva-Maria Casagrande, managing partner, Mühldorfer
“It’s a great opportunity to meet key decision makers and stakeholders to understand the challenges they are facing in their respective daily duties and responsibilities.”
Noha Hemdan, BDM — HOSPITALITY DIVISION, KTC
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