HSMAI Europe Kick-Starts Its Campaign to Expand Rising Leaders Council
Association announces Andrès Reyes Gjerme as chair, Nora Galfi as vice-chair, and calls on its members to nominate up-and-coming professionals to join the council, a trailblazer of initiatives focused on professional development and advocacy for young leaders.
London, UK –HSMAI Europe, the European arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth globally, has launched a campaign to significantly expand its Rising Leaders Council, with a chair, vice-chair and members already brought on board to kick-start the drive.
The association has appointed Andrès Reyes Gjerme, the Managing Director of RG Hospitality Consulting, as chair; Nora Galfi, Regional Marketing Manager EMEA for Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight), as vice-chair; and confirmed council members including: Clément Deplanche, Director, Revenue Strategy, Accor; Angel Shtrbevski, Operations Manager, Moxy and Residence Inn Slough at Cycas Hospitality; Christopher Keates, Key Account Director, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); and Hillary Sinclair Meyer, Head of Profit, at Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels).
HSMAI Europe is now calling on its pan-European membership to nominate young leaders aged 35 and under to join the council, which is a global initiative supported by the HSMAI Foundation, and in Europe, envisaged as a professional development and advocacy group. Comprising young professionals working across sales, marketing, revenue management, commercial and other management roles, the council provides a unique opportunity to advance their skill sets, network with peers and contribute to HSMAI and the industry with their insights,feedback and thought leadership.
Expanding the Rising Leaders Council membership and representation is part of HSMAI Europe’s wider effort to cultivate the hospitality industry’s next generation of young talent.This is an invaluable opportunity for the rising stars of our profession to shine and make a valuable contribution to HSMAI, promoting knowledge exchange and bolstering our efforts to future-proof our sector, and we encourage all members to put forward their top young professionals to be part of this positive action. Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Region Europe
The Rising Leaders Council is already executing its 2024 plan, starting with the organisation of the break-out sessions at the association’s annual commercial conference, HSMAI ROC, taking place at the InterContinental London Park Lane on Thursday, January 18th, 2024.
Another major council focus for the next 12 months is to support the European growth of the ‘Connecting Future Leaders’ initiative that started in Oslo, Norway, an exclusive professional and informal after-work networking and event for HSMAI members aged 35 or younger, originally conceived by HSMAI member André Julseth, General Manager at the stunning Sommerro and Villa Inkognito in Oslo.
With Julseth successfully steering the pilot project in Oslo to great success, the first of four ‘Connecting Future Leaders’ events planned for London in 2024 will also take place at ROC,encouraging young leaders to share ideas and experiences as part of their personal and professional development, learning from and inspiring one another.
In Oslo, Julseth has now handed over the ‘Connecting Future Leaders’ initiative to a very capable hospitality professional; Hero Azeez, the Managing Director at Hotel Christiania Teater. A highly successful young leader, appointed General Manager when she was just 25, Azeez has positioned Hotel Christiania Teater as a leading boutique property in Oslo due to her hard work, passion and determination. Today, aged 29, she will take HSMAI’s Connecting Future Leaders initiative in Norway to new heights.
Julseth and Azeez will both attend HSMAI ROC and the HSMAI Europe Awards 2023 on January 18th, as well as the HSMAI Europe Leadership Day on January 17th, playing an essential role in steering conversations to advance and promote young leaders, supporting the role of the Rising Leaders Council.
- To be eligible to join the Rising Leaders Council, candidates must be an emerging leader in their field of hospitality expertise; be aged 35 or younger (as of December 31, 2023); have a minimum of three years in hospitality sales, marketing, and/or revenue optimisation; be currently employed full-time in a position in one of these disciplines; and be a current HSMAI Europe member.
- Potential candidates must also have a written recommendation from their current supervisor and commit to serving on the council for a two-year term. Once on board, council members must participate in a one-hour virtual meeting each month and attend an in-person retreat once a year, staged in conjunction with the HSMAI Europe Leadership Day, ROC Conference and HSMAI Europe Awards.
I am incredibly honored to chair a group that has so much potential to make a difference to the future of our industry and I encourage every young leader in the HSMAI Europe membership to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Rising Leaders Council chair, Andrès Reyes Gjerme
Sharing knowledge, ideas and insights enriches our professional journeys in so many ways. We all look forward to bringing on board more Rising Leaders Council members to collectively, as a powerful young and influential circle, introduce and advocate for innovation within our beloved industry. As vice-chair, I am looking forward to supporting new initiatives that foster in-depth discussions and inspire positive action for the benefit of all. Vice-Chair Nora Galfi
Please find more information here for the ROC and the HSMAI Awards Europe.
For more information on submitting a nomination to the Rising Leaders Council or for general information on HSMAI membership, initiatives, and events, email [email protected].
About HSMAI Europe
HSMAI – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International – is a global organisation founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales, marketing, and revenue management disciplines. Read More
