Shaping Futures in Portlaoise
More than 300 hotel delegates, including general managers, owners and HR professionals, from across Ireland gathered at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise for the fourth annual Irish Hotels Federation People Day Conference.
Focusing on career development, people-empowerment, staff retention, leadership and inclusivity, the conference is part of the IHF’s “Shaping Brighter Futures” programme supporting the continued development of attractive and rewarding workplaces for team members and future leaders to grow and thrive throughout their career within the hotels sector.
Hoteliers heard from a range of expert speakers as they explored developments in HR best practice and innovative strategies to support a thriving workplace culture. The lineup included HR thought leader Lucy Adams, culture coach Stefan Wissenbach, occupational therapist and neurodiversity expert Dr Áine O'Dea, future work trends expert Peter Cosgrave and artificial intelligence advisor Mark Kelly.
Speaking at the event, IHF President Michael Magner emphasised the vital role that HR leaders within the sector play in promoting a culture that supports career development and that empowers people to excel in their profession.
“At the heart of every great hotel and guesthouse is our people – the many thousands of individuals who choose a career in our sector. And what an amazing profession we have with so many interesting, people-centred career opportunities,” he said.
“As we can all attest, empowered and supported people make such a vital contribution to our sector. They are the defining characteristic of Irish hospitality – recognised the world over for our excellent service and our warm welcome, all of which is down to our amazing people. So, it is great to have an opportunity to look at how we, as individual businesses, can best accommodate, encourage and enable the many wonderful individuals who have chosen a career working with us.”
Commenting on the career opportunities in tourism, he said:
“One remarkable aspect of pursuing a career in our sector is the unparalleled flexibility it provides. We understand the growing demand for greater flexibility over work hours, especially among those re-entering the workforce. Hotels and guesthouses are uniquely positioned to accommodate these needs.”
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