From the President

Celebration of the Holy Trinity

DAVID BASHEER – AHA|SA PRESIDENT

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/v1obKp-oqBc

The South Australian hotel industry has set a new standard in excellence this year, so it is fitting that three hotels have been recognised as the best of the best.

Our awards night celebrates the extraordinary success of our sector and the achievements of our fabulous members.

As I have often said, so many of our members are hard-working South Australian families who put their own capital on the line to employ people and establish these outstanding venues

Tuesday night was also an opportunity to celebrate the energy and talent of 26,250 South Australians - our employees - who make the ‘magic’ happen and are integral to our success.

Our members, our employees and our corporate partners combine to make the Holy Trinity of this great industry.

One of our great partners on the night was Hostplus, who sponsored the entertainment, which was a celebration of South Australian live music talent. The pandemic reminded us that without thriving hotels, live music will wither and die.

At this event last year, the mere suggestion of your left foot lifting off the floor was tantamount to a criminal act. The COVID-19 rulemakers did all they could to leave our colleagues in this critical part of our industry in tatters.

But we continue to demonstrate our resilience. 80% of all live music acts happen in one of our venues. We need each other and live music and the AHA are firm travelling partners.

DEFENDING PUB CULTURE

The pub culture in this state is worthy of celebration.

And that is why the AHA will always defend, promote and advocate for an industry that is the heartbeat of any community. You can’t run a community organisation or community event in this state without a pub being at its core.

• It is at the pub where the Rotary Club meets

• It is the pub that can be relied upon to sponsor the local basketball club when they can’t find anyone else.

• The pub provides apprenticeship opportunities to keep kids in our smaller towns.

I can’t recall the latest opportunistic pop-up venture - that too often enjoys disproportionate government handouts - bothering with any of that.

CONGRATULATIONS

On the night, I acknowledged all the finalists who have set new standards for others to chase and left our judges with an unbelievably difficult task.

But I didn’t know who the winners were!

So I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate the three hotels that have achieved the pinnacle of success and been named Best Overall Hotel in their category:

Eos by SkyCity - Accommodation Loxton Hotel - Country Stirling Hotel - Metropolitan

You have set an incredibly high standard and I am confident you will put in a strong showing when the national awards are announced.

So, congratulations to all the winners and good luck in the national awards.

SA Premier, Peter Malinauskas with AHA|SA President, David Basheer.