IASI Awards and Conference

The Hudson Bay Hotel in Athlone was teaming with experts at the weekend as the IASI Conference was held on the shores of Lough Ree. On the first night members and suppliers hardly recognised each other as everyone enthusiastically embraced the dress up theme of Guys & Dolls.

Conference Speaker, Kate O’Donoghue a Career and Resilience Coach, spoke to the audience about Resilience and how to remain flexible in the face of disruption.  She shared valuable insights into our need for social connection, attitude, values and emotions influence how we think and feel in our whole lives.

The Supreme Award Winners, pictured above with IASI President Ines Guerra, included: 

Hospitals: Children Health Ireland at Connolly & University Hospital Kerry

Nursing Home: Aras Chois Fharriage

Colleges: Campus Residence DCU

3 Star Hotels: Tower Hotel & Leisure Centre Watherford ( Neville Hotels)

4 Star Hotels: Kingswood Hotel Citywest ( McGettigan Hotels)

5 Star Hotels: The Killarney Park Hotel

Ines Guerra, President of IASI congratulated all the award winners on the great results, she disclosed that the standards were very high with properties requiring 80% on the inspection to pass and 90% to be on the shortlist.

In her address to the Black Tie Dinner guests, Ines Guerra said “there is no clone for Accommodation Managers, hotels need to promote and train people in the existing team to step up.  These people are already engaged with the property and are the right people to receive training and grow their skills".

Ines said that when she first came to Dublin she worked as a Tourist Guide because she lacked English, she said that every day in Accommodation Services is different.  You know how your day will start but not how it will finish, that is the passion we bring to the hotel.

Mary O’Flaherty, Executive Accommodation Manager at Ashford Castle was honoured with the Presidents Award and congratulated by her husband Noel and Director of Operations Andrew Phelan who were surprise guests on the night.