CEO's Report
2019 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA). Now that the 2018-2022 Tasmanian Hospitality Industry Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) has been endorsed by the Tasmanian Government and with the grant funds now available, there is a wide range of programs and initiatives the THA will be commencing. $6.8 million has been allocated by the Tasmanian Government over the four year period from 2018-2022 ($1.7 million per annum) and this will support a large number of programs and initiatives, including: • Expansion and continued delivery of the Great Customer Experience program; • A wide range of industry development initiatives, including profitability programs; • Expansion and continued delivery of workforce development initiatives; • Promoting Excellence in the hospitality industry; • Showcasing the hospitality industry around Tasmania; • Developing and implementing the Clubs Tasmania initiative; • Developing and implementing the “Coward’s Punch” program and other programs focussed on addressing anti-social behaviour, including the “Ask for Angela” initiative. A significant initiative to deliver on the objectives of the Strategic Plan are the industry development forums. These forums will provide an important opportunity for us to host conversations with hospitality businesses and enterprises around Tasmania. These forums will also be important in developing an industry plan for each region, focussing on the priority issues that are specific to that region. One important area of focus will be the issue of profitability. There are many challenges facing the hospitality industry that can affect a business’s return on investment, including the costs associated with energy and electricity, access to goods and services, and government red tape just to name a few. Importantly, the more profitable the enterprise, the greater the job opportunities and as part of the industry forums we will be looking to the local hospitality industry to provide guidance on priority issues affecting the profitability of their businesses. These forums also provide us with another important opportunity and that is to host a series of regional development events at the same time. While not quite as large as an “expo”, we are planning to host “meet the producer” style events, corporate supplier trade events, guest speakers, workshops on social media and IT, wellness presentations with a major focus on mental health, industrial relations forums, networking events and more, in each of the regions, all at the one location and at the one time. Importantly by taking these events to the regions, we are providing the local hospitality industry with better access to the benefits these events have to offer. The Strategic Plan recognises the importance of hospitality businesses and enterprises in Tasmania’s regional and rural areas, and these regional development events provide an ideal opportunity to support and promote the local industry. These events will also be of value to local producers, with a large number of hospitality businesses owners and operators at the one location and at the same time. By hosting a “meet the producer” event we can assist the local food, produce and service industries in promoting their products and services to the hospitality industry. Held in each of the regions twice a year, I am very confident these events will grow in time and present an even greater benefit for hospitality businesses and enterprises around Tasmania. I am very much looking forward to the work ahead over the next three to four years as we implement the programs and initiatives outlined in the Strategic Plan and as we work with hospitality businesses and enterprises around Tasmania to develop a stronger and more sustainable industry 2019 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the T asmanian H ospitality A ssociation
February 2019 www.tha.asn.au
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