MENTORING, SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION THE BIG THEMES OF EHMA ITALIA'S RECENT AUTUMN MEETING IN BORGO EGNAZIA (Italy)
The iconic Apulian location was the setting for a meeting where EHMA Italia demonstrated all its vitality in meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world. |
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MENTORING, SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION THE BIG THEMES OF EHMA ITALIA'S RECENT AUTUMN MEETING IN BORGO EGNAZIA (Italy)
The iconic Apulian location was the setting for a meeting where EHMA Italia demonstrated all its vitality in meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world. |
Category: Europe - Italy - Industry economy
- Careers
- Career - Sustainability - Associations and Unions
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2024-11-22
 From left to right Brindisi Prefect Luigi Carnevale, EHMA Italy National Delegate Ezio A. Indiani and Borgo Egnazia Co-owner Aldo Melpignano
Photo credit © European Hotel Managers Association
‘This meeting allowed EHMA Italy members to savour all the magic of Borgo Egnazia,’ commented EHMA Italy National Delegate Ezio A. Indiani, General Manager of the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan.
‘Ḕ was a magnificent demonstration of the vitality of our Association: EHMA Italia continues to grow, bringing the total to 117 members out of more than 470 throughout Europe; existing projects continue with increasing success and new ones are born, implemented by members with great enthusiasm and passion.
Currently, EHMA Italy is showing great commitment in promoting investment in human talent and new technologies to optimise professional growth and business performance'.
During the meeting, Mr. Indiani himself was reconfirmed for the sixth time as EHMA Italy National Delegate together with his Deputy Damiano De Crescenzo (Planetaria Hotels), and the ‘Italian Hotel General Manager of the Year 2024’ Awardwas presented to member Giuseppe De Martino, General Manager The St. Regis Rome.The WorkshopsOn the opening day, Friday 8 November, an exceptional welcome dinner brought together all the participants in the enchanting Piazza del Borgo, illuminated by hundreds of coloured bulbs and illuminations, where one could breathe in the cheerfulness and fun of a veritable popular festival, combined with the typical flavours of the exquisite Apulian gastronomy and enlivened by the performance of jugglers, mimes, circus performers, stilt-walkers and fire-eaters to the enthralling rhythm of the pizzica and tarantella.
On Saturday morning, institutional work took place with the discussion of the internal members' agenda and an update on current initiatives.
Ivan Artolli, leader of the ‘Mentor Me’ project, announced the results of the 5th cycle, in which as many as 30 pairs of Mentees (junior managers) and Mentors (experienced hotel General Managers) participated. All Mentees received a certificate of participation. Five pairs were selected as finalists; among them, the two pairs chosen for having distinguished themselves most during the course for their extraordinary commitment were Mentee Riccardo Bortolotti, General Manager, Grand Hotel Bristol Rapallo, with Mentor Aldo Werdin, GM Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo and Mentee Rocco Trimboli, Resident Manager Hotel Ville sull'Arno Firenze, with Mentor Max Musto, GM Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. The two chosen Mentees received the prize offered by EHMA Italy, which consists of an online course from Nolan Cornell University. In addition to Ivan Artolli, the committee members are Roberto Cappelletto, Cristiano Cabutti, Damiano De Crescenzo and Giuseppe Mariano, with the supervision of National Delegate Ezio A. Indiani.
During the working session, Palmiro Noschese, head of the Institutional Relations Committee, announced the new ‘ESG and Sustainable Growth’ project. The Committee also includes Alessandro Cianella, Andrea D'Alessandro, Giuseppe De Martino, Emiliano Fucarino, Cinzia Montelli, Nello Ottiglio and Danilo Zucchetti.
In recent years, the focus on responsible business practices has grown significantly, leading to an increased interest in ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Both concepts aim to improve the social and environmental impact of companies with important differences: ESG standards focus mainly on quantitative measurements and assessments, while CSR has a broader, qualitative approach aimed at creating positive value for society and the environment. The transition from ESG to CSR criteria is a strategic imperative for hotels and is based on four fundamental pillars: Earth, Heart, Mission and Awareness. Through education, networking and sharing best practices, EHMA aims to be a catalyst for innovation and continuous improvement in the industry so that hotels can actively contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future.
Giacomo Battafarano and Riccardo Bortolotti presented the new ‘EHMAgine - Innovating beyond boundaries’ project, which aims to foster collaboration between hotels, technology providers and external partners.
The working group, conceived together with Gioele Camarlinghi with the external support of partner Gianni Buonsante, CEO of Ingenia Direct, will provide training and support to facilitate the adoption of new technologies, promote technological and process innovation, and offer innovative solutions to members. Needs analysis will be carried out through surveys, interviews and listening sessions, thus scouting for solutions capable of responding to specific needs, followed by pilot implementations gathering feedback and data for large-scale deployment.
The second part of the work session saw the interventions of some of EHMA Italy's partners as well as two exceptional speakers.
The Prefect of Brindisi, Dr. Luigi Carnevale, spoke about the organisation of the G7 in June for which he was in charge and recounted the various difficulties encountered, including security management, logistical challenges and the problems involved in coordinating a global event in such an exclusive setting, which required adapting facilities and solving complex accessibility problems, but at the same time offered an ideal environment for dialogue and international cooperation.
Aldo Melpignano, Co-owner of Borgo Egnazia and Founder of Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana, talked about how he managed to make Borgo Egnazia an icon of Apulian hospitality in the world, defining a unique hospitality model that has strongly contributed to the development of Apulia as an international tourist destination. Borgo Egnazia was established in 2010 and is the essence of the most authentic Apulian hospitality: the structure is entirely made of rough tuff, worked by the skilled hands of traditional masters, and is a contemporary interpretation of a typical Apulian village, surrounded by millenary olive trees, recounting the characteristic elements of Apulia in a natural and harmonious manner. A unique destination with a positive impact on guests that goes beyond the travel experience.
During the magnificent gala dinner held in the G7 room, National Delegate Ezio A. Indiani presented the ‘Italian Hotel General Manager of the Year 2024’ award to member Giuseppe De Martino, General Manager of The St. Regis Rome.
The programme was realised thanks to the loyal partners of EHMA Italy: Amoretti, APS, Blastness, Casale del Giglio, Com.tel, Culti Milano, De Cecco, Dorelan, Acqua Fiuggi, Gascón, Getpica.com, HotelcubeWow, Il Mondo di Scimpa, Ingenia Direct, Iniziative Venete Group, La Bottega, Laurent Perrier, 1895 Coffee Designers by Lavazza, Luxury Files, Maurel, Pedersoli Milano, Planet, Scent Company, Teamwork Hospitality.About EHMAEHMA - European Hotel Managers Association was founded in Rome in 1974 by a group of Hotel General Managers of undisputed professional ethics with the desire to maintain and enhance the image of the hotel heritage. It is made up of General Managers of top hotels who constantly strive to improve their professionalism and that of their staff in order to maintain, perfect and innovate the services they offer their clients. The Association currently has over 470 members representing 24 European countries, 400 hotels, 86,000 rooms and 66,000 employees. The Italian Delegation is the largest in the EHMA with a total of 117 members. The Italian members meet periodically and invite renowned speakers from the Italian scene, giving rise to fundamental professional and human exchanges.
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