Scottish Hospitality Talent Conference Looks to the Future

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced a conference next year to help Scottish tourism, hospitality, catering and leisure businesses prepare their people for future challenges, including the Olympic and Commonwealth games.

Now in its ninth year, the HIT Scotland Emerging Talent Conference takes place at Glasgow Science Centre on Tuesday, February, 7th 2012.

With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching, the charity has arranged for Katherine Grainger MBE, the world champion and Olympic rower, to speak at the conference.

Delegates will also hear from Peter Fisk, one of the UK’s most innovative marketing consultants and authors, and Captain Nick Bates on his life in charge of the iconic QM2.

Last week, VisitScotland announced its winning years initiative to encourage the country to maximise the benefits of the Disney/Pixar animated film Brave, the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics in 2012, and the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth games in 2014.

In order to make the most of the winning years, HIT Scotland believes the industry needs to raise aspirations and promote leadership in the workforce. The conference aims to do this by through inspirational speakers, workshops and training sessions.

The first three sessions to be announced are with chef Willie Pike MBE; Jon Proctor of the Green Tourism Business Scheme; and Costa Coffee.

The event will be hosted by journalist and broadcaster Stephen Jardine. Organisers are expecting around 370 people to attend the conference which offers a unique opportunity for senior managers, students, recent graduates and leaders to meet and learn from one another.

It will close with the award of HIT Scotland’s Emerging Talent Scholarships. Around 80 scholarships will be provided to people who show promise of becoming future leaders for the industry.

The scholarships provide world-class learning opportunities and experiences at home and abroad. Scholarships are available across all levels, from new entrants to senior managers.

This innovative programme includes working with Michelin-starred chefs, at world-class hotels in Dubai, courses at the Disney Institute in Florida and at Europe’s top hospitality school.

The scholarships aim to raise ambitions for the industry and broaden horizons, and are estimated to return over £1m to the industry annually.

Applications for the 2012 scholarships close on 30th November 2011.

David Cochrane, chief executive of HIT Scotland, said: "In the near future a possible golden period for Scottish hospitality and tourism could be upon us.

"If we are to make the most of these opportunities we need to inspire and raise the sights of the whole industry. The Emerging Talent conference will help us meet this challenge through broadening horizons and finding the leaders of the future."

Tickets cost £80 from HIT Scotland. An early bird rate of £70 is available until the end of December.

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