The 32nd annual Euro CHRIE conference held in Dubai from 6 to 9 October 2014, focused on hospitality and tourism futures, and featured themes such as education, sectors, product types, technology, functions, and futures. It was hosted expertly by John Fong, Marketing and Communications Director, and his team from the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, including over 50 student volunteers. As Euro CHRIE President Jan Meijerhof aptly observed,
While trends come and go, the art of hospitality is an everlasting constant. It is exactly this that makes people feel welcomed through personal interactions, which is at the core of our programs. As educators in tourism and hospitality, we can therefore make a small, yet important contribution to a better future world.
Engaging keynote speakers were among the highlights of the conference. Professor David Russell, Chair of the Total Simulator Company, spoke about educational futures, using simulations to conduct scenario planning; the need for further customer profiling via psychographic and demographic data; as well as how technology can lead to increased personalization. Gaurav Sinha, founder and CEO of Insignia Worldwide and an innovator in creative strategy, shared his views on the connected economy and noted that we in hospitality and tourism can understand the idiosyncrasies of individual needs so that we do not put “revenue before relevance” nor employ “faceless personalization”. Steve Hood, Senior Vice President for Research at Smith Travel Research, provided a fascinating overview of lodging around the world, while Salwan Finj, Division Head and Senior Key Account Manager for LG Electronics, wowed the crowd with her introduction to new products, such as innovations in hotel television. Peter Starks, President of RED Global, presented a multi-faceted analysis of the future of education and the industry, whereas James Mabey, Vice President of Development for the Asia-Pacific Jumeirah Group, captured the audience with his work on the use of behavioural analytics in hospitality and tourism.
Evidence of the futures themes continued to be seen from the 143 exceptional papers and posters presented, and throughout the EuroCHRIE Career Academy and other sessions that provided delegates with valuable views into the future of hospitality and tourism education. Trevor Ward, Ms Marianne Jordan, Birgitte Hvingel Jorgensen, Deborah Joanne Johnson, and Henrietta Onwuegbuzie offered thoughtful insights into the future of hospitality and tourism education in Africa, while Pauline Tang and Stuart Jauncey shared information about ICE accreditation with the delegates. Susan Fournier, Lea Dopson, and Elizabeth Ineson led an insightful and practical roundtable on part-time faculty. Ineson also facilitated a helpful session on the use of qualitative methods in hospitality and tourism research.
Annual awards were given to honor those who excel in their contributions to hospitality and tourism education or industry practice. This year's awards included the following:
EuroCHRIE International Industry Award: HOSCO (Recipient: Olivier Bracard)
EuroCHRIE Regional Industry Award: DTCM (Recipient: Yosuf Lootah)
Institute of Hospitality Best Paper Award: The Employer Perspective of Sustainability: Implications for Hospitality Education (Recipients: Alisha Ali, Sheffield Hallam University; Hilary Murphy, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne; and Sanjay Nadkarni, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management)
Laureate Hospitality Achievement Award (Recipient: Stephanie Jameson)
Nestle Pro Gastronomia Award (Recipient: Steve Hood)
EuroCHRIE President's Award (Recipient: Hervé Fournier).
Outstanding social events that allowed delegates to network were the icing on the cake at this year's conference. The opening reception was held on the terrace of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel while the casually themed Neon Night took place on the beach in front of the Burj al Arab. One of the most amazing details of the night was seeing the Euro CHRIE banner projected on the wall of the Burj al Arab. A birthday cake (complete with icing), birthday song, and bouquet of roses were graciously given to one lucky delegate who celebrated her birthday that night. A lovely gala dinner was held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Conference Center and after-parties were hosted in the presidential suite of the Burj al Arab. Truly world-class service was provided by the Emirates Academy's faculty, staff, and students and by the Jumeirah Hotels.
Again, thanks go to the faculty, staff, and students of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management for their warm, welcoming hospitality, top-quality service, and well-planned conference in Dubai. Be sure to join Euro-CHRIE next year for its 33rd conference at Manchester Metropolitan University from 15 to 17 October 2015!