Exciting Line-up for the International Conference

The 2019 APacCHRIE & EuroCHRIE cum 4th Global Tourism and Hospitality Conference hosted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). The 2019 Conference provided a wonderful platform for academics, industry leaders, and young scholars to define the future roadmap of the global hospitality and tourism sector. We were given a tight timeline to prepare for the conference in order to achieve the overall event success with 700+ attendees from all over the world. The experience of organizing the conference was very amazing and gave us a good understanding of how to organize a large-scale international event.

Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

BSc (Hons) Convention and Events Management
School of Hotel and Tourism Management

Ms. HON Chung Man Emma
BSc (Hons) Convention and Events Management
School of Hotel and Tourism Management

Domain Expertise:

Event Planning and Management

The script revolves around the experience of organizing a conference, which required extensive knowledge of event planning and management. The students, Billy and Emma, were both studying Convention and Event Management, and their roles in the conference involved tasks related to logistics, marketing, paper review, youth conference organization, and technical problem-solving.

Hospitality and Tourism Industry

The conference, the 2019 APacCHRIE & EuroCHRIE Joint Conference, focused on the global hospitality and tourism sector. The students' program of study, Convention and Event Management, falls under the domain of hospitality and tourism. They interacted with industry leaders, academics, and researchers, gaining insights into this sector.

Marketing and Promotion

Both students, Billy and Emma, were part of the marketing team responsible for promoting the conference. They mentioned using various channels such as websites, social media, and newsletters to invite attendees. Their experiences provided knowledge of marketing strategies and promotional techniques.

Logistics Management

The script highlighted the importance of logistics management in organizing a large-scale event like the conference. Tasks such as arranging venues, handling registration, coordinating with vendors, and technical problem-solving required expertise in logistics management.

Communication and Negotiation

Throughout the script, effective communication and negotiation skills were emphasized. Both students had to communicate with various stakeholders, including team members, faculty members, sponsors, suppliers, and conference participants. They learned to negotiate and collaborate with different parties to achieve their goals successfully.

Lifelong Learning Excellence:

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

Both Billy and Emma emphasized the importance of time management during their experiences in organizing the conference. They learned to plan and schedule tasks efficiently to meet deadlines and achieve project goals. Time management is a crucial skill in any professional setting as it enables individuals to prioritize tasks, meet objectives, and maintain work-life balance.
Billy and Emma discussed how they developed problem-solving skills during the conference preparation. They encountered unexpected challenges but learned to think critically, find creative solutions, and adapt to different situations. Problem-solving skills are highly sought-after in the workplace as they enable individuals to tackle complex issues and drive innovation.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Emma highlighted the significance of emotional intelligence during event planning. She learned to handle her own emotions and those of her teammates effectively, especially when faced with challenging situations. EQ is valuable in the workplace as it helps build positive relationships, manage conflicts, and enhance communication.
The students mentioned the need for adaptability in event planning, as unexpected situations often arose during the preparation process. They learned to be flexible, adjust plans, and respond to changing circumstances effectively. Adaptability is a vital skill in a dynamic work environment, enabling individuals to thrive in changing conditions.

Communication and Presentation Skills

Both students stressed the importance of communication in event planning. As leaders, they needed to communicate with team members, external parties, and various stakeholders effectively to ensure smooth coordination and execution. Communication skills are essential in any field to convey ideas, collaborate with colleagues, and deliver presentations.
As team leaders, Billy and Emma developed leadership skills by guiding their teams, making decisions, and taking responsibility for the conference's success. Leadership skills are valuable in various roles, allowing individuals to inspire and motivate others while steering projects and organizations towards success.
Billy acknowledged that organizing the conference improved his presentation skills, as he had to deliver presentations to various audiences. Strong presentation skills are essential in many professions, enabling individuals to communicate ideas effectively and engage their audience.

Project Management and Teamwork

Both students highlighted the significance of teamwork in event planning. They worked with their team members to achieve common goals, delegate tasks, and make collective decisions. Collaboration and teamwork are essential in almost every professional setting, allowing individuals to leverage diverse skills and perspectives to achieve success.

Strategic Planning

Both students discussed the need for strong organizational skills during event planning. They had to manage multiple tasks, arrange logistics, and ensure smooth execution. Organizational skills are valuable in any setting to stay efficient, manage resources, and achieve objectives.

Networking and Collaboration

The students learned to build relationships and network with different parties, including teachers, industry leaders, suppliers, and colleagues. Networking and relationship-building skills are essential for career growth, as they open up opportunities and foster professional connections.

Reflection and Self-awareness

Angel mentioned that through her project, she gained a better understanding of herself, including her strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness is essential for personal development and career planning.

Inspiring Quotes:

Lifelong Learner
" As most of the time you need to handle the sudden situation, you need to have a good EQ to control your emotion and be creative to find the solution quickly in order to settle it. "
Ms. HON Chung Man Emma

" To join the useful activities that help them in the future and get the skill that they need in their future career. I cannot tell what should join or what shouldn’t join. As different people have different plans for their life. "
Ms. HON Chung Man Emma

" Do not focus on studying only, try everything they want, join different societies and go exchange. "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

" The most important thing is don’t make the second mistake because it will waste your time. And well planning of your time in study and socializing. Do not waste your energy in the way that you do not feel comfortable in it. "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

" Develop a habit during your U-life because you won’t have a lot of time to develop a new habit when you work. "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

Professional Competences
" The project really trained up my presentation skills as I need to do a lot of presentations to different audiences. This makes me feel full of pressure. You have to ensure there are no mistakes and make everything perfect. "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

" The experience of organizing the conference is very valuable. It gives me a good understanding of how to organize a large-scale event. "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

Effective Communication
" I was surrounded by talented, inspiring and influential people during my university life, and they played a big part in it.Different people have different thoughts. What I need to do is summarise their thoughts and come up with a logical and feasible plan. "
Ms. HON Chung Man Emma

Teamwork
" Teamwork is the heart of event planning. As you cannot finish the budget, find sponsors, do marketing, research of venues and suppliers on your own. "
Ms. HON Chung Man Emma

Thank You
" We receive a lot of support from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). The conference would not be successful without the support from my fellow teachers! "
Mr. CHAN Chun Wai Billy

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