Inspiring young talent at the IoH’s flagship Passion4Hospitality student event

The IoH flagship student conference and careers fair, Passion4Hospitality (P4H), closed on Friday 25 November 2022 with a standing ovation for the keynote speaker, Peter Avis FIH, GM at Galvin at Windows and 10 Degrees Bar and Co-Vice-chair of the IoH’s Supervisory Board. 

The charismatic Peter Avis FIH gave the captivated audience an overview of his amazing, international, celebrity-strewn career. From his first hospitality job as a dishwasher to his current role as GM and his journey in between.

Talking about his passion for hospitality and his pride in being part of the IoH and the industry, Peter said: “Every role in hospitality helps deliver the customer experience. When I was told that even as a dishwasher, I made a difference, I was hooked. I wanted to strive to be a GM and I strive now to help others feel the same way.”

He continued: “When I started out the industry was very different. Today it has changed for the better. The hours, conditions, and pay are better than when I started. And it is more inclusive than ever before and since Robert Richardson FIH MI introduced the Diversity Shield pin in 2021, I am proud to wear it and encourage all those that are passionate about diversity and inclusion to buy a Shield and do the same.”

“Since winning the inaugural Restaurant Manager of the Year title in 2009, my passion for the IoH began,” said Peter. “The work and commitment Robert Richardson FIH MI and his team have to help young people feel passionate about choosing this industry as a career is amazing. And the wealth of resources the IoH offer has helped me and my career without a doubt. Now as Co-Vice Chair of the IoH Supervisory Board, I believe everyone in hospitality should be part of the only professional body that represents the industry, the IoH.”

The annual P4H event brings together students, universities, colleges, employers and training providers from across the world, under one roof. This year our furthest attendee had flown in from Dubai.

Over 30 establishments took part in the career fair this year and over 400 students came through the conference doors at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith, London.

IoH CEO, Robert Richardson FIH MI who opened and closed the busy day commented: “Passion4Hospitality is my favourite event in our Institute of Hospitality calendar, and it was a sincere pleasure hosting this conference and seeing, first hand, the infinite potential of our future #HospitalityFamily.”

Robert continued: “P4H is about the students. It’s about giving them the opportunity to make contacts, meet people, network, learn, grow and be inspired. Pushing themselves out of their comfort zones to talk to people. It’s about motivating them to help show that hospitality is a brilliant career choice. I think we achieved that today.”

The IoH Youth Council, took an active role in the day, introducing guests on stage and talking to students in the Coffee and Conversation area, which was overflowing at several points of the day. Katariina Reissaar AIH, Co-chair of the IoH Youth Council commented: “It was an incredible day, full of energy and smiles. If we have inspired one young person today it was all worth it.”

The conference schedule, which included a wealth of talent from all areas of the hospitality industry and from across different levels, included panel discussions on: ‘ To lead or to manage?’ led by Harry Fielder, Managing Director of Umi Digital, ‘Stop, Look and Listen! Mental Health in Hospitality, led by Robert Bird FIH, Director of Sales, HIT Training, and ‘Sustainability in the Spotlight’ led by James McComas FIH, General Manager, Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel & Spa and member of the new IoH South East Region Committee.

For the second year, the IoH official I’m In Podcast was recorded live in front of P4H delegates. Discussing ‘Controlling your Attitude’ Phil Street FIH was the usual question master, and host and was joined on stage by Nicolas Medicamento MIH, CEO, Doctor Cocktail Ltd, Alan Tang MIH, Restaurant Director, Shangri-La, The Shard, London and Katariina Reissaar AIH, Front Office Manager at Jurys Inn, now Leonardo Hotels.

The highly contested Hotel, Operations, Tactics and Strategy Business Game (HOTS) led by  Peter Russell MIH ISHC, saw teams from Sheffield Hallam University, NHL Stenden, University of Gloucestershire, The Grand Brighton, Coventry University, University of Surrey, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Oxford Brookes University battle it out most of the day before Cardiff Metropolitan University scooped the coveted trophy as 2022 HOTS champions.

This year’s careers fair, which was buzzing throughout the day, included: Worshipful Company of Cooks, Exclusive Collection, The Belfry, Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, Rosewood Hotels, Z Hotels, Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa, Hotel Café Royal, WSET Global, Champneys, Novotel London West, and the Royal Household. IoH Company Sponsored members TGI’s, HIT Training, Leonardo Hotels, and Canopy by Hilton London City also attended, amongst many other prestigious names.

Concluding the event, Robert Richardson FIH MI said: “Supporting the future of our industry is so vital, especially now, and Passion4Hospitality would not be possible without the hard work, passion and dedication, of so many people. I am so proud of what this conference demonstrated and so proud of everyone that said #imin to being part of it.

Robert continued: “Thank you so much to everyone who joined us as a delegate, everyone who took time out of their busy diaries to contribute to our careers fair, our partners and supporters, and all the wonderful speakers on stage, discussing leadership, sustainability and mental health. Thank you to our amazing IoH team and our Youth Council. I cannot wait to see everyone at Passion4Hospitality 2023.”

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