South East Technological University (SETU) recently hosted a hospitality industry think-tank at its Cork Road Campus in Waterford, led by the Department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism.
The event, hosted by lecturer Jacinta Greene-Beatty, brought together over 20 of the country's leaders from the hospitality sector, many who are graduates of SETU, to explore future needs in staff training and development across the sector.
Explore needs
SETU has a long and very successful tradition of delivering cutting-edge and industry-focused programmes in the areas of culinary arts, hospitality and tourism. The think-thank event, held with the assistance of SATLE, aimed to explore future industry needs for staff training and development.
Opened doors
Many of the industry leaders spoke with great passion about their time studying at SETU, saying it opened doors to very successful management careers in the hospitality sector in Ireland and internationally.
Hands-on approach
Sinéad Crowley, a Hospitality Management graduate of SETU and Senior Director of Global Corporate Sales at Kempinski Hotels, reflected on her time at the University, stating: “My career in luxury hospitality started with the solid academic and practical training I received at SETU.”
SETU laid the foundation for a career that has taken me around the world, immersed me in diverse cultures and given me the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Sinéad Crowley Hospitality Management graduate and Senior Director of Global Corporate Sales at Kempinski Hotels
“It opened doors to renowned brands like Four Seasons, Leading Hotels of the World and most recently Kempinski. The hands-on learning, industry exposure and support from SETU played a vital role in starting my career. It laid the foundation for a career that has taken me around the world, immersed me in diverse cultures and given me the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most influential leaders. It has been an incredible journey so far and I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead,” added Sinéad.
Industry leaders
Other senior figures from the hospitality sector present on the day included, Mary Flannery, Executive Accommodation Manager, Ashford Castle, Mayo, Margaret Darrer, VP of the Irish Hotels Federation, Dr Liam Griffin, recipient of an honorary doctorate from SETU and CEO of the Griffin Hotel Group; Martin Corbett, Co-Founder Chapter One, Dublin; Brian Lawlor, Group General Manager, O'Donoghue Ring Collection, Killarney; Ronan Sharpe, General Manager and Harrison Sharpe, Head Chef, Elbow Lane Brew and Smokehouse, Cork; and Phillip Erskine, The Granville Hotel, Waterford.
Insights and ideas
Mark Dunne, General Manager, Mount Juliet Estate and Autograph Collection, made an excellent presentation which referenced many awards related to employment excellence, including a Great Place to Work certification and Fáilte Ireland’s Gold Employer Excellence Award.
“The discussions generated many interesting and insightful ideas to support the delivery and development of industry-focused Hospitality programmes at SETU, and we very much look forward to ongoing engagement with colleagues in the sector,” added Dr Suzanne Denieffe, Head (Waterford) of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
Video: Why study hospitality management at SETU?
Industry leaders gave insight into how studying at SETU shaped their careers. Watch here:
