Did you miss the 2023 Tourism Workforce Summit or want to review the material from the event? Check out our Summit recordings and PowerPoint slides below!
Keynote: "What do employees really want? Idenifying which factors turn hospitality and tourism jobs into careers."
Dr. Richard Currie, Assistant Professor of Leadership and Workplace Psychology in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University, unveils his insightful research into the factors that influence workers' choices between long-term careers and temporary positions. His findings shed light on how businesses can enhance workforce retention by considering factors beyond compensation. During this informative presentation, Dr. Currie shares these valuable insights and provide practical suggestions for hospitality operators that have the potential to help organizations shift from short-term employment models to environments where employees can build meaningful, lasting careers.
Market Trends in Tourism and Hospitality - Presentation by Mark McInerney, Director of the Center of Workforce Research and Information
Mark McInerney, Director of the Maine Department of Labor's Center of Workforce Research and Information, shares insights into the macroeconomic forces behind labor and recruiting in Maine's tourism and hospitality industries, finally answering the question: "Where did everybody go?"
Participants, from left: Maureen LaSalle, chair of Culinary Arts & Hospitality, SMCC; Don Golini, Director of Student Employment Programs, Nonantum Resort; Kay Kerina, Career Exploration Program Manager, Maine DECD; Chris Cameron, Public Relations Director, Portland Seadogs; Becky Wright, Captain, Schooner Lewis R. French
Panel: Creating a High School or College Internship Program
Internship programs are a great way to encourage young people in their interests and bring motivated and excited individuals into the industry. Although college internships are more common, high school internships are also beginning to gain in popularity. Learn from our panel of employers, teachers, and program managers about what it takes to start and run a successful internship program at your tourism and/or hospitality business.
Participants from left, Rachel Wardwell, Human Resources Manager, the Press Hotel; Dr. Lee Speronis, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Hospitality, Sports & Tourism & Assistant Dean of the College of Business, Husson University; Sue Curtis, Director of HR, Maine Day Ventures; Charlie Collins, Deputy Executive for Workforce Training, Maine Community College System; Hillary Martin, Personnel Operations Manager, Dirigo Safety, LLC.
Panel: Maximizing Your Employee Training
An effective employee training program can mean the difference between mediocrity and excellence, building a foundation for your company to achieve greater success. In this panel discussion, educators and industry professionals with years of experience at addressing training needs and creating valuable programs for entry-level employees, seasoned staff, and future managers discussed the best ways to maximze hospitality and tourism employee training.
Participants from left: Shay Bell, Assistant General Manager, Point Sebago Resort; Liz Nitzel, DVR Regional Manager, Vocational Rehabilitation; Tony DeLois, Co-Principal and Chief Operating Officer, Uncommon Hospitality; Tabin Tangila Mesu Kamba, Porgram Developer for Workforce Solutions, Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)
Panel: Recruiting from Diverse Populations
Diversity in the workplace is a hot topic in recruiting these days, but while many employers are interested in increasing their diversity in theory, it can sometimes be difficult to find ways to make it happen in practice. Our panel of service providers and employers discuss the boots-on-the-ground ins and outs of recruting a diverse workforce.
Participants from left: Carly Eglin, Co-Founder/COO of Seasonal Connect; Jenny Wiltse-McClure, Human Resources Training and Recruiting Manager at Sugarloaf Mountain; Cait Morris, Regional Executive Pastry Chef, Migis Hotel Group; Annie Mahle, former co-owner/co-captian of the J&E Riggin, owner of Georges River Canvas.
Panel: Retaining Seasonal Staff from Year to Year
There is inherently a high demand for seasonal, part-time positions in tourism, but these roles can be some of the most challenging to retain consistently. This annual turnover of staff results in headaches, frustrations, and decreased productivity. Join us to gain insights into how industry experts effectively attract and mainstain their seasonal workforce year after year.
Participants from left: Keith Pabian, Founding Partner of Pabian Law; Brain Langley, Owner, Union River Lobster Pot; Halsey Frank, State Office Representative and Senior Legal Counsel, Senator Susan Collins
Panel: H-2B and J1 Visa Program Updates
Many seasonal employers rely on the H-2B and J1 visa programs to find enough seasonal staff every year, but the programs can be complicated, expensive, and difficult to navigate. In this panel, we learn about what the H-2B visa programs are, how they differ, what employers might consider as they decide to pursue these visas, and what the future of both program might be.
Particpants from left: Beth Bordowitz, Executive Director, MERIT - the Maine Retirement Investment Trust, Daryle Degen, CEO & Founde, 86 & co; Colby Marvin Bracy, Human Resources Director, Nonatum Resort and owner, Hello Humans HR Consulting
Panel: Employee Benefits, Traditional and Non-Traditional
Ask tourism and hospitality employees what makes their jobs feel like legitimate 'careers', and they'll overwhelmingly say that benefits make all the difference. Our panel of employers and state workers discuss both traditional (health insurance, 401k, etc.) and non-traditional (hotel room discounts, travel benefits, staff perks, etc.) benefits and how it makes the difference in hiring and retaining top talent.
