IHI HNN July 2022 Issue

HNN HOSPITALITY NETWORK NEWS

It's about recognition...

2019 IHI Hospitalty Management Awatrd Finalists

JULY 2022

HNN CONTENTS 3 President's Note 6 FBD Hotels & Resorts Appoints Ger Alley as General Manager of Killashee Hotel 10 Michael Skehan recently appointed General Manager at the Granville Hotel, Waterford 8 Why Employee Offboarding Experience is Important 12 Increase in bookings for Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel 14 Sodexo celebrates Accelerators innovation success 17 Daily shuttle bus service opens for Limerick Greenway users 18 TU Dublin Hospitaltiy Management Studies sitor Attraction Management

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PRESIDENT'S NOTE

Dear Member,

By now I hope you have seen on the IHI social media or through emails sent out, that the 2022 IHI Hospitality Management Awards Nomination platform is now open.

The IHI Hospitality Management Awards is a prestigious annual event that recognises contributions to the industry by hospitality professionals. By nominating your manager/s or colleague/s you will be recognising their commitment, passion and professionalism, particularly after the last couple of years, which have been so difficult for those working in our industry. The awards are not about the hotel /restaurant/ or catering venue. They are solely in recognition of the individual in their role. Nominations focus on the individual's professionalism, capability, technical skill, continued learning along witht the energy and innovation they bring to their role.

The importance of recognition of our team members has never been more evident, so I invite you to take the time to nominate and therefore grant an opportunity to those who deserve the recognition that comes with being nominated, while allowing for an opportunity to receive one of these distinguished awards.

For more information on categories and the nomination process, click here. Or if you have any questions, please contact the IHI office at 01 662 4790 or email info@ihi.ie To begin the nomination process, click here.

All the best,

Brian Bowler IHI President

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Save the Date The IHI Founder's Evening & Hospitality Management Awards 24th November 2022 Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Please call Tina Maree on 01 6624790 for details.

FBD Hotels & Resorts Appoints Ger Alley as General Manager of Killashee Hotel FBD Hotels & Resorts has announced that Ger Alley has been appointed General Manager of the four-star Killashee Hotel outside in Naas, Co Kildare. The hotel joined the FBD Hotel & Resorts family in April of this year and one of Ger’s first tasks is to oversee the first of phase of the €3 million refurbishment plan that is currently underway.

Having graduated from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in 2007 with a BA in International Business & Hotel Management, Ger started his career as the Duty Manager at what was then Killashee House Hotel. It is serendipitous that he returns 15 years later to take on the role of General Manager.

Ger who is from Laois and whose family has owned the popular Copper Kettle restaurant in Durrow for many years, was awarded General Manager of the Year at The Hotel Awards 2019. He joined FBD Hotels & Resorts as General Manager of The Heritage Hotel & Spa Killenard, Co Laois in January 2019 and oversaw an extensive refurbishment programme at the hotel. Previous to this Ger was Director of Food and Beverage at The K Club in Kildare.

Commenting on his appointment Ger says, “Killashee holds a special significance to me as it is where my career in hotel management began. It is a privilege to return as General Manager and to be part of this exciting new chapter. This first phase of the refurbishment is well underway with €3 million being invested is in the upgrading of all the bedrooms, Bistro Restaurant, Terrace Restaurant, Gallery Lounge and Reception. There is also some grounds and other internal works being done and the completion date is end of September. The experienced team at Killashee is working to ensure the transition from old to new is seamless, with the minimum of disruption to our clientele while maintaining the highest quality standards in hospitality. The team are energized and looking forward to the next chapter of Killashee.”

The four-star Killashee Hotel is well established as a leisure, corporate and wedding destination. Set on 55 acres of historic parkland, beautiful gardens and walkways, the 141 bedroom hotel has an award-winning spa and leisure centre with swimming pool and hydrotherapy suite.

Killashee Hotel officially joined the FBD Hotels & Resorts family on 1st April 2022, becoming the sixth hotel in the company’s portfolio of luxury four-star superior hotels and resorts. Killashee joins The Heritage in Laois, Castleknock Hotel in Dublin, Faithlegg in Waterford, La Cala and Sunset Beach Club on the Costa del Sol in Spain, as part of one of Ireland’s leading hotel groups. www.killasheehotel.com 6

Michael Skehan recently appointed General Manager at the Granville Hotel, Waterford.

Michael Skehan has been appointed as General Manager of the Granville Hotel Waterford.

Originally from Thomastown Co Kilkenny Michael studied Hotel Management in GMIT and DIT Cathal Brugha Street, before spending time travelling throughout Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Back home, he held various roles in the Tower Hotel Waterford over an eight-year period, ending his time there as General Manager. In 2005, he was appointed as the Opening General Manager of the Talbot Hotel in Carlow.

From there, Michael went on to become GM at the Prem Group’s Boutique Leopold Hotel in Sheffield, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, from 2010 to 2016.

For the next three years, Michael was General Manager of Jurys Inn Cardiff, overseeing the refurbishment of the hotel’s ground floor areas including the conference centre, before returning home to Ireland to take up the role of GM at the Morgan Hotel Dublin in April 2019.

Michael wanted to return to Waterford and took up the role of GM of the Marina Hotel in 2020 until his recent appointment. Speaking about his new role Michael said “It’s a huge privilege for me to be the General Manager of such an iconic property in Waterford as the Granville Hotel. Waterford is my second home and having been away for 12 years, it’s great to be back in the city I know so well. The Cusack Family have built a thriving business over the last 40 years, and their passion and commitment shows in the high standards of quality and service that guests have come to know and expect from the Granville Hotel. I am very much looking forward to working with the family as we move forward with the hotel over the coming years!”

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Why Employee Offboarding Experience is Important?

You have probably heard of the terms "big resignation" and "talent exodus" or stumbled across a Microsoft survey from 2021 that says 41% of workers are considering quitting or changing careers this year.

More than ever, employees are choosing to leave companies for a variety of reasons, and it's important to listen to them, care about your employees to the end, and perhaps get valuable feedback for the overall survival of your company.

Companies that have not prioritised their employees during the pandemic could be sleepwalking towards an exodus of talent, a damaged employer brand and a productivity drought.

Here are 6 reasons why offboarding employees should be your priority this year.

1 -People first, especially on their last day Having an authentic and great company culture means putting your people first, even the ones leaving your organisation. After all they have given for the business, don't they deserve an appreciation time? Their offboarding is an opportunity for you to give back as an employer (and also to showcase your great culture!). What about running a (virtual) party as a meaningful goodbye? The employee on the departure will appreciate you taking the time to set up something for them.

Another idea is to organise a gift from the organisation, you can even brand it so the employee will keep you in mind in the future. Don't forget that former employees can be future ones!

2 - Finish on a good note It is often the case that the subsequent person who takes over the role of your departing employee goes through a handover process. In order for the transfer of knowledge to go smoothly and effectively, it is vital that your departing employee has an overall positive experience, as their motivation and commitment will often have an impact on the following employee.

Help your departing employee prepare documents in advance to facilitate the handover, and put your team in touch as soon as the new employee joins the company.

In some cases, new employees may need to contact the former employee if a document is lost or a process is forgotten. Former employees will be more willing to respond more quickly if they feel valued and appreciated by their former company.

3 - Get feedback to increase your overall Employee Experience Organise time for your departing employee. Make them feel heard. An exit interview or anonymous exit interviews are one of the best ways to share authentic feedback and provide your employees with a better experience that aligns with your company culture. Departing employees may have the same thoughts as employees who stay with your company, so be open to honest views and thoughts.

Show departing employees your appreciation for their strengths, contributions and accomplishments by offering them a letter of recommendation to make their next job search easier.

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4 - Increase your Leadership credibility Some employees departures can be intense and tricky. When employees leave the company, it is often considered taboo.

Maybe it is a stressful situation for you as an employer and it has become one of your main focuses.

But be careful, your co-workers will also witness the departure of their colleague, which gives them an idea of what their offboarding will look like when the time comes!

Again, transparency and clarity are key. You do not need to give every detail, but make sure you respond to your employees' questions and keep the conversation open about it. Do not make it a taboo that will end up in gossip, false rumours, and assumptions. Prefer transparent and honest communication. Offer your colleagues and the departing employee a safe space for communication and exchange.

Taking responsibility and facing the issues with transparency, whatever the situation is, will increase your credibility as a leader and trust within your team.

5 - Former employee advocacy Employee advocacy is one of the newest and most effective ways to develop your Employer Brand.

More and more organisations give a voice to their employees to convince future candidates to join their company. Employee advocacy is an authentic way to promote your great culture, but former employee advocacy is even more powerful! Having departing employees giving positive feedback about your organisation is the most authentic way to promote you as an employer!

Think of what story you would like your former employees to tell. Make sure that your offboarding provide support and that your employee feels heard before leaving the company. In fact, they can be an excellent source of authentic feedback.

Often, companies underestimate the power of word of mouth and online reviews which can greatly impact your e-reputation and talent attraction, thus hurting your employer branding efforts. This is why candidates give a lot of importance to the rating platforms like Glassdoor! For example, a negative review on Glassdoor, Google Review or a LinkedIn post can repel potential high qualified workers for the job sought.

6 - Build a genuine community Don't forget you can cross an ex-employee path any time again. If your former employee becomes your surgeon, you might want them to still like you!

Apart from this, keeping a genuine connection with leaving employees is a great way to avoid toxicity in your network. Fostering positive bonds as a leader shows that you are a carer in any situation.

An ex-employee can also become a future customer, provider, investor, or even a future employee so don't miss an opportunity by being careless on their last day!

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78% increase in bookings for Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is an 18th century 4 star luxury castle hotel located minutes from Killiney Beach and right near the pretty village of Dalkey. Overlooking Dublin Bay, it is a prime spot for beautiful views Dublin has to offer. The hotel’s cosy feel is heightened by the fact that it is family-run, giving it an incomparable touch of home.

A harmonious partnership We have worked with Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel since they went live with our booking engine and a thoughtfully designed bespoke website in summer 2020. Since then, the partnership between ourselves and their team has been open, fluid and collaborative. Most recently, Fitzpatrick’s also began using our marketing services so now we have the opportunity to integrate all of these services together which enables us to provide Fitzpatrick’s with the very best insights and results.

Overcoming challenges together It was a tricky time when we initially went live with our booking engine and bespoke website – Fitzpatrick’s had just reopened after the first Irish summer lockdown due to the pandemic.

We have a healthy budget for marketing, so we have been able to set up a healthy mix of search brand campaigns related to weddings, leisure and restaurants as well as room types. This is a really helpful exercise for hitting many different types of travellers and hospitality consumers.

We’ve come a long way since then. Looking at the results we’ve seen across the board in January to April 2019 vs the same time period in 2022 (a fairer representative than the Covid years) we have noted the following: 362% increase in revenue 78% increase in bookings 13% increase in arrivals Great success with Google Hotel Ads We have seen phenomenal success in relation to Google Hotel Ads across all of our clients over the last year.

Year to date, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel have also seen a significant return on the platform.

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Going forward together Marion Abbey, Ecommerce Manager for Net Affinity says: “From the very beginning, the team at Fitzpatrick Castle have been so open and willing to share information for the benefit of their hotel’s performance and it has made us feel very strongly that we are an integral part of their wider team. We feel like we understand their goals very well and we’re looking forward to aiding them in achieving these goals going forward.”

Our team has enjoyed nurturing the healthy, collaborative relationship with Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel since we began working with them in 2020. Our goal is to continue identifying the strongest methods of gaining direct bookings for the hotel.

Mark Scott-Lennon, Managing Director of Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel says: “I am very happy with the collaborative relationship we have with Net Affinity and the results we have seen together. I’m looking forward to the partnership developing over years to come and am confident in our continued and future success.”

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Sodexo celebrates Accelerators innovation success Connecting smart buildings with smart vehicles has the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly from employee commutes, which is why workplaces services company Sodexo chose Irish founded up startup Wayleadr for its UK and Ireland Accelerators innovation programme.

Sodexo launched the Accelerators programme in November 2021, partnering with innovation specialists L Marks, inviting applications from start-ups and scale-ups with a focus on employee experience, sustainability, and smart buildings. Over 400 start-ups applied and five, of which Wayleadr was the only Irish one to make the cut, were selected by Sodexo leaders, with input from clients.

Wayleadr’s SaaS (Software as a Service) lastmile automation solution for smart buildings reimagines the last mile of commuter journeys by connecting smart buildings with smart vehicles, saving time, rightsizing real estate spend and curbing carbon emissions.

The five start-ups partnered with Sodexo clients to test their innovations within live operations, guided by Sodexo experts in facilities management and workplace experience. At the demo day in London in July, the five start-ups played-back the results of their 10-week trials to clients and senior stakeholders.

From the data produced during that period, Wayleadr projected that over the course of a year, using its automation solution, there could be 14,527 fewer kilometres travelled by commuting employees on three chosen sites, leading to 23.86 fewer metric tonnes of annual CO² emissions. On a wider scale, the data also projected an annual reduction of 260 metric tonnes across 50 sites with circa 50 parking spaces each.

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The other start-ups were Advanced Bacterial Sciences which trialled nextgeneration bacterial treatments for waste and water management. Asseticom’s digital solution advances asset data collection and building surveying, reducing end-to-end survey time. Hart Systems’ technology platform enables connectivity to any industrial asset to remotely monitor, analyse and optimise systems in realtime. Infogrid trialled its suite of AI-powered solutions, to help make every building healthy, efficient and sustainable.

Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services UK and Ireland, said: “The Accelerators programme has been a great vehicle for our innovation ambition this year. We have been able to see some incredible technologies in action, learn from the agility and energy of start-ups, and provide access to mentorship opportunities that will benefit these small organisations as they continue to grow. Leveraging technology is a key element of our Vital Spaces approach to the future of the workplace, and this programme is just the start of our journey.”

Daniel Saunders, CEO L Marks, said: “The Accelerators programme has been an incredible success, delivering measurable results for both Sodexo and the entrepreneurs. There has been an authentic partnership between L Marks and Sodexo throughout the programme, we’ve have worked with some fantastic start-ups, and the level of engagement from Sodexo has demonstrated the importance of innovation within the business.”

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Daily shuttle bus service opens for Limerick Greenway users Limerick Greenway users can now access shuttle bus services seven days a week, adding to the first-class network of visitor facilities already in place along the 40km scenic off-road walking and cycling route. There are several bike hire companies in operation along the route and the daily shuttle bus is available to all Greenway users.

The shuttle runs in a loop every hour from 12pm to 4pm between the hubs at Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. Hotel pick-up from locations in between the hubs is also available on request. Hired bicycles, owned bicycles and buggies can be taken on the bus, allowing users to join Limerick Greenway at a point that suits them. Bookings can be made online at limerickgreenwaybikehire.ie.

The opening of the shuttle bus services comes as the Limerick Greenway recently welcomed over 500,000 visits since it reopened in July last year, following a €10 million investment by Limerick City and County Council.

Gordon Daly, Director of Service at Limerick City and County Council, said: “Having bike hire and the shuttle bus running seven days a week is a really positive development for Limerick Greenway. Accessibility is key to encouraging locals and visitors alike to come and experience the beauty of West Limerick, explore the towns and villages along the way and stop off for a coffee or some sight-seeing.

“Since the reopening last year, we have seen the amenity linked to the creation of local jobs and the support of local communities. The regular shuttle bus will add to the excellent user experience already in place and visitors will see further improvement works over the coming year. We encourage people to try all, or part of, the 40km route, to see just how beautiful and welcoming this part of the country is.”

Formerly a railway line that connected Kerry and Limerick, Limerick Greenway has been redeveloped into an authentic experience that can be enjoyed by walkers, joggers, wheelchair users and cyclists of all ages and abilities. Its smooth surface makes it easily accessible for anyone looking to enjoy some peaceful time outdoors, away from busy roads.

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful rural countryside of West Limerick — via the three market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale — and pass through the 115m Barnagh Train Tunnel and cross the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, both restored relics of the 19th century train line.

For more information, including bike hire, amenities and itineraries visitwww.limerick.ie/greenway. To follow on social media, use the hashtag #LimerickGreenway and visit the following channels: Facebook: @LimerickGreenway Instagram: @LimerickGreenway

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In 2020, Tobaccoland identified the growing trend of a cashless society and embarked on a program of installing cashless payment solutions on our FUTURE Vending Machines.

Our FUTURE machine was designed by Tobaccoland and manufactured in Spain by GM Solutions. These machines are exclusive to Tobaccoland. Tobaccoland are currently the only Cigarette Vending company to offer this service in Ireland. What this FUTURE machine offers is a hassle free method of dispensing tobacco products for both Hotel/Pub and the consumer. Along with our FUTURE vending machine, Tobaccoland can also provide your premises with a cash for coin service with no fees charged.

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