A different perspective can change everything
At different points in our careers, we all need someone to talk things through with, whatever our age or experience. I am very grateful to have had my own mentor for several years. Having someone I trust who can listen, challenge my thinking and offer a different perspective has meant a great deal to me.
We are fortunate when we have supportive colleagues and leaders around us. But there is something especially valuable about speaking with someone outside our own company: someone who brings experience from elsewhere in the industry, has no stake in our day-to-day decisions and can help us see a situation with fresh eyes.
That is the idea behind the HSMAI Europe Mentor Program. Over 12 months, it connects professionals across the hospitality and travel industry, bringing together people from different companies, disciplines and countries. It creates a neutral space for new perspectives and meaningful professional relationships.
The programme provides a structure for the mentoring journey while giving each Mentor and Mentee the freedom to shape their conversations around what matters to them. For one person, that might mean exploring how to grow as a leader. For another, it might mean navigating a career choice or hearing how someone in a different part of our industry approaches a familiar challenge.
I want to emphasise that this opportunity is relevant at many career stages. Senior leaders, specialists and emerging leaders can all gain from an independent perspective. What matters is curiosity, openness and a willingness to take an active part in the relationship.
And to those considering becoming a Mentor: I hope you will join us. Sharing your experience can make a real difference to someone else. Mentors often find that these conversations also challenge their own thinking and give them fresh perspectives on their work and leadership.
A special thank you to Helle Luxe, who heads our Mentor Program. Over the past year, Helle has updated the programme and included more support and also made the expectations for both Mentors and Mentees very clear. That helps everyone begin the mentoring relationship with a shared understanding of the commitment involved, while leaving room for each relationship to develop in its own way. This year, the HSMAI Europe Mentor Program received a Certificate of Commendation at the Fast Forward 15 / European Mentoring Awards in the Community, Coaching & Mentoring Impact category. It is lovely to see the work behind the programme recognised in this way.
Eric Brun, a senior commercial leader and one of our active mentors in London, accepted the award on behalf of HSMAI Europe.
Thank you, too, to every Mentor and Mentee who has taken part. Your time, openness and feedback help us keep learning and improving the programme. You are the people who make it meaningful.
For me, this is one of the most valuable benefits of HSMAI Europe membership. We have so much knowledge across our community. When we make time to share it across companies and borders, we help each other move forward and make our industry stronger.
If your company is a member of HSMAI Europe, you can take part in the program without extra costs. I also encourage experienced professionals who would like to share their perspective to consider becoming a Mentor.
As we look ahead to the coming months, we are excited to host several major gatherings across Madrid, Oslo, and London.
We’re also pleased to share that submissions for the HSMAI Awards Europe 2026 are now open — nominate outstanding hospitality talent and work by 23 November.
Finally, we would like to remind you that the deadline for Super Early Bird tickets to our Commercial Strategy Conference in London is today, September 30 at midnight UK time, so be sure to secure your ticket before then.
We hope to see you at one (or more) of our upcoming events, and wish you a lovely week ahead.
All the best,
Ingunn Hofseth
President & CEO
HSMAI Region Europe
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
W: www.hsmai.eu
