FUTURE YOU

Many will say that the industry is not doing enough to adapt to the expectations of young talent and not promoting itself effectively, missing out to other sectors. Together we have to change this. HSMAI Europe is now in dialogue with several of our members discussing how we can take a Norwegian pilot project to other countries together.

On Wednesday September 6th HSMAI organized the FUTURE YOU event in Oslo. The event was created to highlight the variety of exciting career opportunities, including marketing, sales, revenue management, hotel management and more within the hospitality and tourism industry. Invited participants were graduating pupils from Oslo area high schools, as well as students at selected universities and colleges.

During FUTURE YOU, over 300 persons were able to enjoy inspiring lectures from young hospitality managers and other experts sharing tips, advice and experience, as well as get involved in an insightful panel debate about different paths to an exciting career in the industry. In the exhibitor area outside the Colosseum movie theatre, pupils and students were able to establish contact with industry professionals, companies and relevant universities and colleges. Present as exhibitors were the hotel companies Radisson, Strawberry, Thon Hotels and Scandic as well as the restaurant group Eik Servering. Both The Norwegian School of Hotel Management in Stavanger, BI Business School and Kristiania University College were also among the exhibitors. Eik Serving and Coca Cola provided refreshments and served vibrant street food.

After the event, HSMAI has received lots of positive feedback from participants, exhibitors and others involved. FUTURE YOU will become an annual event in Norway, and the date will be set soon. Based on the success we also look into the possibilities to arrange FUTURE YOU in other markets in Europe.

The above photo featuring Leif Evensen, known as Mr. Cornell in Europe, alongside Yana Kyrylyuk, the chair of HSMAI Europe Student Council, sends a strong message. With Yana at the age of 20 and Leif at 88, it serves as a powerful reminder that age is no constraint when it comes to making a meaningful impact, both personally and within the industry. You are never too young or too old to make a difference.

Leif Evensen’s dedication to both HSMAI and Cornell University has spanned a lifetime. He has served as the former Global President for CHS, the Cornell Hotel Society, a position that reflects his enduring commitment to elevating standards within the hospitality field.

Even at 88 years of age, Leif Evensen continues to actively engage in local HSMAI events in Oslo and participates in Cornell gatherings across Europe.

I admire him and he was also the one who involved me in HSMAI.

If you are interested in participating in these initiatives, please contact me.