Last week, IH&RA chief executive Alain-Philippe Feutré met in Paris with the newly appointed HCIMA chief executive Philippe Rossiter of HCIMA to discuss key issues facing the hospitality industry worldwide, and ways in which the two organisations can support each other in achieving common objectives in the promotion of 'best management practice'.  The meeting proved most productive - resulting in a joint commitment by the two organisations to create links through their respective web-sites, which should benefit the members of both associations.  The forging of closer links between the HCIMA - the London-based professional

Philippe Rossiter (left), the newly appointed HCIMA chief executive, and IH&RA CEO Alain-Philippe Feutré (right)  at IH&RA headquarters in Paris, August 21, 2002

Commenting on last week's meeting at the IH&RA's offices, Mr Feutré said: "The IH&RA is pleased by the appointment of Philippe Rossiter, who brings with him a wealth of hospitality industry experience - from being a former head of the Army School of Catering in the UK, to undertaking the chairmanship and membership of key industry advisory panels to the HCIMA and the UK trade association, the British Hospitality Association; as well as the country's national training organisation - the Hospitality Training Foundation." 

"We look forward to a revitalised working relationship with the HCIMA on the critical issues facing the hospitality industry in 2003 and beyond - including environmental and ecological problems, human resources and employee training and development." 

Mr Rossiter was equally delighted with the meeting.  "The HCIMA," he said, "welcomes the opportunity of working closely together with the IH&RA - especially as we wish to further strengthen our global influence through developing more fully our international responsibilities.  We have 20,000 members in over 100 countries worldwide and this year has seen the election of our first ever internationally-based president-elect - Theo Charalambous FHCIMA, executive director of A Tsokkos Hotels, based in Napa, Cyprus. 

Theo, who will become HCIMA president in May 2003, and our 16-strong International Development Committee - under the chairmanship of Dr Chandi Jayawardena FHCIMA - are currently focusing on making the HCIMA a truly international association. Towards this end, last week's meeting with Alain-Philippe Feutré was part of a series of initiatives - commenced by former HCIMA president David Battersby FHCIMA - to become more involved, especially at a European level, in matters of college course and management training accreditation, as well as management development. Alain-Philippe Feutré's wide experience at the international level, and specifically in Europe, will prove most helpful in shaping our strategy in this regard.

"We look forward very much to developing our working relationship with the IH&RA over the coming years."