IMI's UK validating partner Manchester Metropolitan University, along with the Manchester Hoteliers Association (MHA), has been hosting a series of online forums discussing how the industry is coping and responding to the Covid 19 outbreak.

The 3rd forum brought together industry leaders including chair of the MHA Adrian Ellis, General Manager at The Lowry Hotel, Assumpta McDonald, GM at Hyatt Regency & Hyatt House Manchester, and Johan Scheepers, GM at Kimpton Clocktower (IHG).

With Manchester Met.'s Prof. Diane Connelly moderating, the panelists discussed how their businesses had reacted and introduced new practices to cope with the challenge of the Covid pandemic and what their vision for the hospitality industry post-pandemic was.

Whilst recognising the huge impact the outbreak has had on business, the industry leaders all sounded a note of optimism for the future and recognised the lessons that could be taken from the need to find innovitative solutions to unforseen challenges.

It was great to see our students, along with their colleagues from the UK and other worldwide schools,  take an active role in the forum, submitting comments and questons in the group chat.

Commenting on the forum, Higher Diploma student Joshua Melendez Serrano said: "It was very informative. All the presenters showed very positive vibes towards the roaring 20s - as Sophie Atalay named it - which gives us future professionals a good sense of optimism before entering the industry."

Russian student Tuet An Vo appreciated hearing the first-hand experience of the General Managers: “As an entrepreneur student, it was important for me because in the future I might have a business facing similar issues.

"The GM’s of today’s webinar explained to us how they coped in each situation which was very helpful for everyone, so in the future we would also know how to react.”

It was great for our students to be able to participate in such a relevant and interactive event and we would like to thank our friends at Manchester Metropolitan University for providing them with this opportunity.