Only 10% of parents would recommend hospitality as a future career for their child. We all know the industry has a hiring problem, but really this is a perception problem. Trudi Parr, head of people and development at Mollie's is determined for this to change and is working hard to take the Mollie’s brand into schools and colleges to encourage the next generation to choose hospitality, not just fall into it.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls will detail the development of the Hoteliers’ Charter into a resource that can be applied to the wider hospitality industry. The Charter exists to raise the profile of the industry and promote careers in hospitality. In this session Nicholls will explain progress so far and how the commitments will serve the industry into the future.

Charter signatories discuss how they ensure their operations meet the commitments. They will explore their experiences and explain how they have helped promote careers both within their businesses and in the wider hospitality industry.

The HR industry is full of hidden stars, especially in hospitality. After several years of turmoil from pandemic-related furloughs and redundancies, both a mental health and cost-of-living crisis, as well as businesses continually struggling to fill vacancies, it’s not been an easy time for the HR department.

And often the best HR leaders who navigate their companies through these troubles don’t give themselves the time, development and attention they are so busy giving to others in the business.

Enter Jodi Goldman. A personal impact coach and experienced international speaker. She's worked with thousands of professionals and business owners to help them develop magnetic confidence, a powerful personal brand and assertive communication skills. In this S.H.I.N.E. with Magnetic Confidence workshop, Jodi will show you how to:

• Build the kind of confidence that owns a room (even if you’re an introvert)

• Be seen as a leader, authority and expert within your business (and not just the “safe pair of hands” who gets stuff done)

• Step up, stand out and SHINE with more visibility, influence and impact!

After winning the Best Employer award at the 2024 Cateys, Gleneagles can put its hands up and say it is currently the best place to work in hospitality. But how exactly did it achieve this accolade?

This session will take a look into the hotel’s “five-year people rebuild” which focused on creating a culture of care, in hopes to attract and retain an engaged workforce that supports its ambition for continued excellence. People and culture director Emma Simpson will outline the challenges of creating a new culture and how the efforts have paid off with a happy and engaged workforce.

From a potential rise in wage bills due and the promised introduction of a “genuine living wage”, to a possible ban in zero hours contracts, the new Employment Rights Bill is expected to be introduced within Labour’s first 100 days in office and is described by the new government as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”. In this session, our speaker takes a look at the implications for hospitality and discusses ways the industry can prepare for a new way of managing your workforce.

Gen Z spend a significant amount of time glued to their phones, and studies suggest users aged 18-24 can spend up to two hours per day engaging with TikTok’s entertaining short-form content supported by personalised algorithms which deliver them content that resonates. This session dives into TikTok’s cultural appeal and why hospitality brands should be visible on this social platform and use it to recruit the next-generation of talent. Mark McCulloch, chief executive, Supersonic will share strategies for creating engaging content, leveraging TikTok's features, and showcase success stories from hospitality brands. Concluding with a Q&A, participants will leave with actionable insights to enhance their recruitment efforts through this dynamic platform.

Take a moment to learn about how positive psychology can play a key role in the workplace. In this session, Robyn Filep, co-founder of Becoming will share the importance of identifying your core strengths and virtues that directly impact your working day. Filep will give delegates an introduction to positive psychology and how you can leverage your core values to improve your professional success and development. Make sure you attend to be in with a chance of winning a 1:1 coaching session with Filep! The lucky winner will be announced during her session.

Speaker:

Robyn, co-founder, Becoming

You are sat in the room with some of the best HR professionals in hospitality. Now it’s time to get to know each other a little better ahead of this evening’s awards.

Join us for a networking session designed to help you make meaningful connections with your fellow conference attendees. This facilitated event will guide you through a series of structured activities and discussions, encouraging you to meet new people and exchange ideas.

Continue your networking over drinks and canapes.

Let's honour the inspirational people making a difference in hospitality followed by bowl food, drinks and more networking and celebrating.