The 41st edition of EHMA General Meeting, Monte Carlo, March 28- 30 concentrates on compatibility of social and environmental concern.
Sustainability is the key for the present and the future of tourism. Surveys, researches, analyses, opinion leaders and experts agree that an environmental and social sustainable business approach can grant an ever growing appeal to hospitality industry and tourist destinations alike. Customers in fact do care more and more about ecosustainability and green. Furthermore this new vision can generate costs savings as it is related to consumption optimization and optimal resource allocation.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), thanks to a large number of projects and initiatives, has been playing an active role to maximize the development of the industry of tourism. Its performance can start the engine to spread the sustainable economy all over the world. But, going down to earth, how this global vision can affect and be applied to a deluxe hotel management?
That is the main issue of the 41st edition of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) General Meeting which will be held at Le Meridien Beach Plaza and Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort from March 28th to 30th in the beautiful Monaco setting.
EHMA has been involved ever since to spread an ecosustainable mindset among its associates and in the hospitality sector, this is why the well-established EHMA international convention focuses on these themes.
“Hospitality, Sustainability…What’s next?” is the meaningful title of the General Meeting; three Monegasque days follow the Milan General Meeting which was held in 2013. Outstanding personalities of the hospitality industry of the Principality of Monaco are members of the organizing committee and they have been working hard for the success of this event. Some of them – General Managers – deserve to be mentioned: Manuel De Vasconcelos, Le Meridien Beach Plaza (President of the Organizing Committee), Sergio Mangini, Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Richard Duvauchelle, Jesta Capital France, Siegfried Poppe, Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco and Pascal Camia, Hotel Hermitage.
The General Meeting programme is definitely rich, as usual and the approach to sustainability covers several aspects which are not limited to green such as: daily operations, resources and contemporary concept design.
On Friday afternoon, March 28th participants have the chance to choose between two options: panoramic coach tour of the Principality of Monaco or the University Day. The latter is organized by the worldwide known Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne. Ilham Kadri, President of the Diversey Care Division of Sealed Air Corp., a green brand, will make her speech on the meaning of sustainability in the hospitality industry.
On Saturday morning, March 29th, the Educational Day will be inaugurated by Manuel De Vasconcelos, President of the Organizing Committee, H.E. Jacques Boisson, Secretary of State of the Principality of Monaco, Hans E. Koch, President of EHMA with their introductory speeches.
Renowned speakers such Robbie Bargh, Gorgeous Group and Andrea Pinabell, Director of Sustainability Global Citizenship, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, will follow. After the coffee break it is the turn of Daniel Tschudy, coach and consultant and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, President of V-Group (Venturi Automobiles) and MVE (Electrical Cars Manufacture). Robin Rossmann, Director at Deloitte will close the morning work session. The General Meeting will start in the afternoon with an introduction by the President Mr. Koch: along with the standard programme which includes the presentation of the new Association members and the formal appointment of Geneva as host city for the 2015 EHMA General Meeting.
In the month of March, this year, other outstanding personalities will participate: Kent Nystrom, President of HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe), Patrice Monti, International New York Times, Craig Thompson, professor at Stenden Hotel Management School, Charles van Goch, President of FXE (Food Executive Europe). During the General Meeting the programmes of study of the executive courses by the Cornell University and the Ecole Hoteliere de Luasanne will be illustrated.
As usual, the social program provides the opportunity to relax and enjoy the city. Companions on Saturday will have their special programme and on Saturday evening the welcome dinner will take place at Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. Business lunch is offered by Energy TI Group, the Gala Dinner will be organized at the Hotel de Paris, Salle Empire, and on that occasion the “Hotel Manager of the Year 2013” and the “EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey Care 2014” prizes will be delivered.
On Sunday, March 30th, the departure day, it is possible to extend the stay in Monaco and enjoy an additional optional full day tour around Monte Carlo (St. Paul de Vence, Cannes and Biot), lunch included at the Grand Hyatt Martinez in Cannes.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
