Are you a hotelier? At the point of confirming that sale or at the Peak of your service, do you consider yourself almost on fire?? If so then read on…
We would like to invite you to become an honourary member of the first ever ‘Hot Hotelier’s Networking Group’ in Dubai!
Who are we? Hardworking, Creative and Ambitious people who have devoted their life to the hotel industry.
What makes us special? We love what we do!
What is our aim? To meet friends old & new! To build a network of hoteliers! Share experiences, knowledge & best practices! Simply HAVE FUN!
When & what time? We meet one night every second month.
Where? No specific venue is a must. We intend to meet in a different places every second month. If you want to host it in a bar in your hotel, or suggest a venue you can. Please contact the Hot Hoteliers Committee by email.
Cost?? No cost involved! You are responsible to quench your own thirst. There is no responsibility or financial burden a venue or hotel that decides to host the “Hot Hoteliers Networking Group”. You’re simply extending a warm welcome to your hotelier friends old and new, inviting them to join you for a drink and chat.
This group is focused on hoteliers from all brands and all departments. The more the mix the merrier. Do share this site and concept with all those you feel live up to the ‘Hot Hotelier’ Attributes.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Hot Hoteliers Team
Erin O’Neill: Going for Gold has always been this lady’s aim! Erin hails from the emerald isle of Ireland, where she has lived for most of her life. Her passion for people took her overseas to experience the dynamic growth and cultures in Dubai to her current role as a Senior Sales Manager for the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi team and the flagship Westin Property in the Middle East - The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. This Irish cailin has definitely got the “gift of the gab”, a gift that many people try to acquire by kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland. This, along with her talent of inspiring & developing the best in those around her, makes her an instant friend to all she meets. View posts by Erin
A video interview with Erin
Courtesy Dr.Max Hitchins (The Hospitality Doctor)
Jitendra Jain (JJ): A trend setter and record breaker in more ways than one! Jitendra, or better known to his family and friends as JJ, hails originally from Mumbai, India (his youth was spent in Kenya) but his studies and career have taken him to lands afar! Upon questioning JJ’s friends describe him as fun loving, talented, inspiring, motivated and undoubtedly a Driver! His knowledge and expertise in the “e” World leave the majority of us in awe & disbelief! A member of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi team and the flagship Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, JJ spends his work days focusing on online marketing & distribution but more importantly creating and rolling out various Starwood Best Practices from hotel blogs to hotel “e” Teams! View posts by JJ
A video interview with JJ
Courtesy Dr.Max Hitchins (The Hospitality Doctor)
Michelle Mc Carthy
Hailed from a beautiful village called Labasheeda in Co. Clare, Michelle is now living for the past 2 years in fast paced Dubai working as a show manager in the exhibition industry.
With a passion for traveling and meeting new people, it is no surprise that Michelle has experienced a number of challenging and creative jobs that brought her too many interesting pockets around the world. After graduating in 2001 from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick with a BA in Media and Communications, next stop for Michelle was St.Louis MO, USA, here she worked in a uber creative community radio station as a producer. After too much time spent in an editing room it was time of a change! With a desire to work in the great outdoors, no better place to move than the Caribbean. Here Michelle worked as a sailing assistant and part time retail manager under the glorious rays of the Caribbean sun. Returning home to Ireland in 2003, Michelle divided her time between substitute teaching and working as a restaurant manager. Then next stop was Dubai! The common thread in all these experiences is that Michelle loves people! A passion of connecting people is what attracted Michelle to the Hot Hoteliers group. She thrives on meeting new interesting and dynamic people… Her motto in life ‘no challenge is too great’
Marie O’Neill
Born to be wild…..lets just say that I have a little bit of a wild side that tends to come out from time to time! I’m always up for a challenge no matter how big or small.
I’ve been around….born in Ireland, lived in Germany, South Korea, Australia and now sunny Dubai! I’ve worked in several industries…hospitality (waitress, bartender, and receptionist), IT (helpdesk support, tester, and installation engineer), education (English teacher), telecommunications (customer support manager, account manager) and currently In-flight entertainment & advertising (Business Development manager). Some may say a jack of all trades but a master of none! I’m always up for a challenge, have thrown myself in the deep end many times and haven’t sunk yet!
My fondest memories have been working in the hospitality industry. Even though I worked 60/70 hours a week the buzz from hospitality was always amazing. I will never forget the first time I opening a bottle of champagne, I didn’t realise that the cork would fly and land on the head of a guest attending a wedding function, thankfully the guest saw the funny side! The stories are endless…some friends have suggested that I write a book!
Brendan Mc Cormack
With a real sense of adventure and an unquenchable desire to live for the day, Brendan’s title of entertainment manger is certainly fitting.
There are not many 26 year olds who can boast of having 12 years experience in hotels. His love for the industry was ignited during a stint as a glassy in his native Limerick at the tender age of 14, from there Brendan’s experiences have brought him as far a field as England, Portugal, France and Australia before arriving in Dubai. Being Innovate and an ability to help people relies there potential have helped Brendan reach his current challenging position as Operations Manager for the famous Barasti Bar at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi. His motto “ the smile on your face is the most important thing.”
Roberta Griffiths
Bobby comes from a therapy background and has extensive training and spa management experience. During a career spanning 14 years in the Spa industry she has opened and worked in resort properties, urban hotels and destination spas in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean, including appointments with Mandarin Oriental, E’spa, The Sanctuary and Spa Consultancy company; Wheway Lifestyle International.
Bobby was responsible for the opening of the very first Heavenly Spa in the EAME region at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, which opened in May of this year. In her spare time Bobby loves to spread the word on everything ‘Spa’ and has written several magazine articles to this effect!
Chef T – (Thomas Gagliardi)
Born into a dominantly American Italian heritage, CT’s passion for cuisine began early on through his family’s weekly rituals of gathering around massive amounts of food to “bond.” On any given Sunday morning at this stage in his culinary development, CT would likely be found at his grandmother’s feet in silent awe as she prepared these mini smorgasbords alone and with delight. Finding this as the root cause of his attachment to a hazardous and unforgiving career, he came to the conclusion to dedicate his lifetime towards sharing his own way of food with all those he possibly can in search of recreating these familiar moments by his grandmother.
In the past 18 years, CT has developed a short lifetime’s worth of experiences, knowledge and passion towards culinary artistry and a true hotelier lifestyle. His cuisenaire journey has seen him through just about every part of the USA and now, literally, on the other side of the globe where he has now come to call Dubai “home.” He’s spent time over the stove in practically every style of kitchen thus far, including everything from trendy restaurants and local country clubs to the world’s leading luxury hotels, resorts, and casinos. Marriott and Renaissance Hotels, Bellagio, Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, and Westin to name a few…
CT is definitely a proud individual of his life and career so far. He has a drive to share his opinions, both personal and professional, in hopes to contribute his own piece towards an infinite future of great food, great restaurants and great hotels for the world to enjoy. Maybe one day he’ll even find that feeling again, which he only found on those Sunday mornings, dumbfounded in his grandmother’s kitchen.
Sara Fenianos
