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At the HBAA’s last Forum, a concept for a mentoring initiative was instigated and such Forward-Thinking is already being supported by Cavendish Venues.
Prior to the HBAA Annual Dinner and Kick-Off meeting at Chelsea FC, Cavendish Venues teamed up with Jack Ferguson at Arsenal FC’s Care in the Community to welcome a group of youngsters guided by Les Rowe, EET Adviser at Islington Council. They visited The Hallam venue for some hospitality, awareness and discussion of the events industry with Paul Martins, Director of Sales.

Les and Jack recently coached and inspired the young ladies who formed Team England at last summer’s Street Child World Cup 2014 in Rio (whose progress was documented on BBC Three). Also joined by Luke Howard from Arsenal, Les put some constructive proposals and questions forward for consideration by the group.

An interesting point was how an occupation in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) was not instantly thought of as a natural route for work at varying levels with the opportunity to transfer skills and roles. This suggests the hospitality market-place is still one perhaps lacking a degree of promotion or marketing – an issue raised by new HBAA Chair Jacqui Kavanagh at the recent Generation Surgery arranged by Jackie Broughton at The Barbican.

Paul presented the events industry as a viable and attractive consideration for employment, offering insight from experience into the many variable paths and departments that make up a successful hospitality business. The potential for career opportunities and progression was then talked over along with the attributes thought required and the fresh aspirations representing the next generation.

With the invitation extended to visit more of the Cavendish Venues and for any further information or advice, with the help and guidance of enthused educators such as Les, the Forward-Thinking to stimulating new ideas and talent in 2015 starts here.