International Hospitality Conference Makes First Visit to NI

27 April 2016

International Hospitality Conference Makes First Visit to NI

Professor Una McMahon Beattie, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ulster University Business School, serves up the international CHME Conference to Northern Ireland for the first time

‘Inspire, Innovate, Succeed’ will be the theme of an international hospitality conference to be held in Northern Ireland for the first time in May 2016.

Attracting 120 delegates from over a wide range of countries including Australia, USA, Brazil and Denmark the Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) Conference will celebrate its 25th anniversary in Belfast following a competitive bid to host it by Ulster University Business School.

Professor Una McMahon Beattie, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management within the Ulster University Business School explains, “With the ongoing growth in hospitality and tourism in Northern Ireland coupled with the Year of Food and Drink initiative, 2016 was the ideal time to pitch this conference for Belfast.  It was a real coup to win the hosting rights in 2013 and we are looking forward to bringing together leading international hospitality academics as well as industry practitioners and policy makers to debate and showcase innovative and best practice for further redevelopment and progression of the hospitality industry.”

Headline speakers will include leading tourism and hospitality futurist Dr Ian Yeoman from New Zealand and renowned international expert on food design and innovation Dr Francesca Zampollo.  Professor Peter Walker Head of the Belfast School of Architecture at Ulster University will also headline with an exploration of built heritage and city brands using Belfast as a case study for this international audience.

In addition to access to a vast range of innovative industry research projects delegates will also be able to participate in industry focussed workshops.  For example conference sponsor STR Global, which is a global analytics company, will give delegates a unique opportunity to achieve the ‘Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics’ (CHIA) following participation in two half day workshops on 3rd and 4th May and on completion of an online assessment.  This leading hotel-related certification will enhance strategic decision making and give holders a definite career advantage. 

The event will take place on the Ulster University Business School’s Belfast campus from 4th-6th May.   Further information can be found at www.ulster.ac.uk/campaigns/chme