A new HBAA Apprenticeship scheme, an International Forum, the HBAA Immersion Lab, new ‘Know Your HBAA’ induction tools, further collaboration among members and within the industry and 21st birthday celebrations are among the HBAA’s main plans for ‘Building on Success’ in 2018.
HBAA chair Louise Goalen, Louisa Watson, HBAA venue member chair and the executive committee revealed these initiatives to a capacity audience of members at the association’s recent Kick Off meeting at the Hilton London Wembley.
The HBAA Apprenticeship scheme will operate in partnership with Realise and with collaboration from venue and agency members. It is designed to address the talent gap for entry level and graduate roles by providing experience in various sectors on all sides of the industry during an eighteen-month intensive work experience programme.
The HBAA Immersion Lab will offer a unique opportunity for agents and venues to develop this understanding through specialised brief placements.
In addition, ‘Know Your HBAA’ induction packs and short films will be created to help members cascade awareness of the association and its work within their own organisations.
These activities are a direct result of discussions at the HBAA Business Leaders Forum which was held in October at the Lygon Arms.
Graeme Leach, CEO and Chief Economist at Macronomics, gave an encouraging view of economic prospects, saying that the economy was in a transition phase, that it was scheduled to grow by 2 per cent in 2018 and that there was ‘too much gloom’ and ‘not enough boom’ around Brexit.
Paul Hussey, director of the Meetings Benchmark examined key industry trends in 2017 and those becoming apparent for 2018, based on year-on-year comparisons of data provided by HBAA members. He highlighted the ever-shortening lead times for meetings bookings and that meeting planners are not all taking advantage of ‘early bird’ discounts on event rates offered by venues.
The full extent of the HBAA’s plans for the year were outlined by the Executive Committee members who lead the HBAA’s dedicated committees in achieving specific objectives which support those outlined by the Association Chairs.
Among the many announcements were those relating to the association’s events calendar including a new International Forum at The Belfry on 9 February, the HBAA Annual Forum on 19 July at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon and a first Independent Venues Showcase on 6 September at Wyboston Lakes.
Louisa Watson, the association’s Venue Member chair, concluded by congratulating and thanking members on raising almost £26,000 in 2017 for Brigade and Beyond Food, which will continue to be the HBAA’s chosen charity for 2018.
Louise Goalen summed up the day saying: “With a comprehensive schedule of exciting new initiatives and programmes for the year ahead, 2018 is the perfect opportunity to capitalise on progress made, build on success and strengthen industry collaboration both internally with our members and externally with other industry associations.”
