The Hsmai Middle East & Africa Commercial Strategy Conference, taking place from November 26-27 at the Conrad Dubai, will address strategies for meeting the needs of a multigenerational workforce, as well as solutions to the hospitality industry’s talent challenges.

Jason Smith, Vice President Marketing Communications at Hsmai, will be decoding new talent dynamics with a deep dive into the Hsmai Foundation’s State of Talent Report 2024, authored by industry expert Dorothy Dowling, and reveal the biggest challenges facing the industry.

The report will jumpstart one of the key content tracks at this year’s conference – human capital.

Structured around nine key trends, the annual report investigates issues such as the impact of the 65+ workforce, managing four-generation talent pools, transforming employee engagement, leveraging AI for productivity, emotional wellness, cross functional teamwork, culture-defining leadership, and gig and fractional talent models.

“Significant developments and emerging shifts are impacting talent within hospitality. In this report, we shine a light on the implications for the industry’s recruitment and retention strategies,” said Smith.

“We dive into the trends influencing human capital, particularly in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization, and present actionable strategies for creating inclusive, dynamic and forward-thinking workplace environments.”

In the lead up to the conference, regional industry leaders shared their human capital strategies and the opportunities and challenges they see when it comes to talent attraction and retention.

“In a business where people serve people, it is fundamental to lead with culture and understand what team members need to thrive,” said Marie-Louise Ek, Vice President Human Resources - Middle East & Africa, Hilton.

“At Hilton, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace driven by purpose, that offers team members opportunities to grow and feel empowered. This requires curiosity, creativity, and the ability to connect every team member to our purpose.

“We know that every job makes the stay and happy and engaged team members drive our customer experience as well as benefit our owners and the communities where we operate.”

Ek will be hosting one of the Lightening Rounds at the conference titled: ‘Unlocking Successful Commercial Collaboration: The People-First Approach’.

Jaime Simpson, General Manager Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, said: “At Jumeirah we value our people as our greatest asset, fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace where every colleague feels valued and inspired.

“Committed to career growth, creativity and exceptional standards, we support team success, motivating our people to deliver outstanding service, contribute to communities, and grow as future leaders.”

Simpson will host a Lightening Round on ‘The Evolving Workplace’ at this year’s conference.

The comprehensive report concludes that the future of the hospitality industry will likely be a combination of advanced technology and the human touch, delivering exceptional experiences for customers and fostering a supportive work environment for employees.

“Now more than ever, sales professionals are looking for work/life balance, and culture is one of the most important deciding factors in choosing their next employer,” said Tammy Gillis, Sales Industry Expert in the report.

“Many salespeople are tired of working on property and getting pulled into operations and want full-time remote or hybrid remote positions. They also value training, coaching, and support which the hotel industry does not consistently provide.”

Three key takeaways from the Hsmai Foundation’s State of Talent Report 2024:

1. Competition for talent means recruiting requires a marketing mindset and dedication to employer branding

2. Lifestyle contracts with employees supported by leadership are a new and emerging model

3. Employee well-being and mental health are on the top of leadership priorities today to support a more productive and resilient workforce – TradeArabia News