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Vegas is Back Strong!
A Resurgence in America’s Hospitality Capital Signals a Comeback for the Hospitality Industry as a Whole
As visitors fill Las Vegas’ resorts again, the city is returning to a sense of normalcy. All across Las Vegas, the resurgence is strong. Occupancy rates across the city have shot up, and hotel rooms at all resorts are near full occupancy. Conventions and trade shows, major drivers of tourism for Southern Nevada, are showing a strong return as well, and calendars are being booked for as soon as this June, and all the way out to 2023. A return to normalcy in Las Vegas, the country’s hospitality capital, signals more than just a resurgence of their local economy, it signals a comeback of the hospitality industry as a whole. If you are interested in a career in hospitality, right now is a great time to join this vibrant industry. The hospitality industry is coming back strong, and TISOH is a part of the hospitality industry’s comeback!
Across Las Vegas, there are signs that life is returning to normal, and America’s hospitality capital is on it’s way back to its pre-COVID glory. Hotel rooms are filling up again, bookings for shows and conventions are returning, and it feels as if a corner has been turned. “We’ve been wandering in the abyss for almost a year now … and you can clearly see the light shining through at this point in Las Vegas,” Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg said during a February call with investors. “We feel very good that we’ve seen the bottom in Vegas and in the business, and that we’re only going to keep getting better,” Reeg continued. Debi Nutton, a gaming consultant and former Wynn Resorts Ltd. executive, expressed a similar sentiment, saying “Everything is going in a better direction, and there’s a lot of pent-up demand.”
“I think the COVID-related news has been positive of late and people are starting to travel again,” said Nehme Abouzeid, founder and president of marketing consultancy LaunchVegas, LLC. Indeed, hotel rooms are being booked at a rate not seen since the early days of the pandemic. Room rates shot up over the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in March, signaling a shift and providing momentum across the city. In the month of March, Nevada casinos took in $1 billion in winnings for the first time since February 2020, and pools and streets were more packed than they had been in months. Since then, the number of visitors has climbed consistently, and according to hotel and flight booking data from Priceline, Las Vegas is one of 2021′s most popular domestic travel destinations.
In addition to hotel rooms filling up again, there is new development that also signals the strength of Vegas’ resurgence. Resorts World, a $4 billion hotel and casino development, is set to open June 24. Situated on over 88 acres, and visible from nearly all the city, Resorts World is believed to be the first ground-up resort development on the Strip in at least 10 years (Las Vegas Sun). Another exciting addition currently in development is the $1.8 billion, state-of-the-art MSG Sphere venue (www.msgsphere.com), which promises to add a new, revolutionary option for events in the city. Additionally, a major expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) is taking place. The $980 million West Hall expansion added 1.4 million square feet, including 600,000 square feet of new, leasable exhibit space, a 14,000 square foot outdoor terrace with capacity for 2,000 attendees, and a grand atrium (Vegas Means Business). These examples of both public and private investment, into a city that already offers more meeting and convention space than any other city in the world, indicates Las Vegas’ continued status as the hospitality capital of the U.S.
Executives for nearly every publicly traded Las Vegas-based company that have convention facilities, including MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd. and Las Vegas Sands Corp., remarked during their fourth-quarter earnings calls how strong their convention calendars are looking for late 2021, 2022 and 2023. Fans are back at Golden Knights games again, and nearly 40 shows are performing on the Strip. “My friends in entertainment tell me advance tickets are selling well,” Nehme Abouzeid, founder and president of marketing consultancy LaunchVegas, LLC said. Case in point: the Life is Beautiful music and arts festival scheduled for downtown Las Vegas Sept. 17-19 sold out 50,000 passes in record time, hours after they first went on sale.
In another major sign of Las Vegas’ resurgence, the Nevada Department of Business and Industry recently gave approval for the annual World of Concrete convention to be held June 8-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This major citywide convention routinely draws 60,000 people to Southern Nevada, and while it may have a more limited attendance than in years past, it will be the first major trade show to take place across the United States. “The entire industry was watching to see if the World of Concrete could happen,” Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill said, “The fact that it (is) has resulted in three shows approved in the last 24 hours following that.”
Momentum is building in Las Vegas, and pent-up demand is driving the resurgence. As hotels fill up again, events are scheduled, and more entertainment options return, opportunities in the city abound. Companies are hiring again, and need to fill their open positions. Many experienced hospitality workers have either left the city, or left the industry, and this presents a unique opportunity to join the field. At TISOH, the International School of Hospitality, you can learn the skills to become a top-level hospitality professional. TISOH, located in the heart of Las Vegas, offers diploma and professional certificate programs to prepare you for careers across the hospitality industry, including in Hotel Operations, Wedding Coordination and Design, Event Planning and Conference Management. If you want to be a part of the strong resurgence of this vibrant industry, TISOH offers you the accredited curriculum, professional instruction, and industry connections to position you for success.
The hospitality industry is projected to have a strong recovery, and Las Vegas is already showing clear indications that the rebound is underway. Because many established hospitality workers have transitioned to different careers, the field is wide open to newcomers like you, with your fresh ideas, energy, and eagerness. Hospitality companies, hotels, and resorts, are looking to replenish their ranks by hiring fresh talent - and they want to hire motivated individuals just like you!
Tips for Success from a Wedding Pro
Weddings, like most events, went on hold in 2020. A majority of couples either decided to keep ceremonies small and intimate, with only immediate family present, or they postponed the nuptials entirely until they could celebrate the way they intended--with an extravagant event and a guest list full of friends and family members.
With vaccines rolling out and Nevada loosening rules on gatherings, this year’s wedding season is certain to make a rebound, while experts say 2022 could see a return to normalcy, or even a spike as couples rush to the altar.
That’s great news for anyone who is considering a career as a wedding planner! Getting your training in the field of Wedding Coordination and Design now - and entering the market just as it begins to peak again - is ideal, as more weddings means more demand for qualified professionals to carry out all of the wants and needs of the bride and groom.
What does it take to be successful in the Wedding Planning industry? Emily Grace Julaton, of Emily Grace Events, has been planning weddings for the past five years running. She cites discipline, organizational skills and attention to detail as the keys to success as a wedding planner. Discipline, she says, starts in the classroom.
“You can’t skip assignments and fall behind,” Julaton says. “You have to be disciplined and you need to have patience. There are a lot of little details that go into this. It’s like having a checklist. And you learn how to troubleshoot.”
Julaton attended and graduated from TISOH, the International School of Hospitality, where she now serves as the school’s academic programs coordinator. With her culinary background, Julaton, originally eyed the school’s catering program, but decided she wanted to be “more front of the house.” She says the flexibility of having her own business attracted her to shift career paths to pursue wedding planning.
“TISOH gives you everything you need to succeed in this business. They help you to tap into your creative side and give you confidence to put yourself out there,” she says, adding that the TISOH family and alumni support system makes the transition from the classroom to the real world relatively stress-free. “They’re always there to support you,” she says of TISOH alumni. “They know people that can help you move to the next level. There is a network of endless resources from experts in the TISOH family already in the industry.”
What does a career in Wedding Coordination and Design entail? “The role of the planner is to make the entire process easy for the couple,” Julaton says. Planning starts with the budget, and keeping expectations in check is critical. “The couple may have a vision in mind, but perhaps cannot afford it. You need to find out what is most important to them and work from there, then you’ll be able create a memorable experience for them and their guests.”
From beginning to end, Julaton says it’s about creating “a timeline and guide for the day” and then executing the plan. “You are the director of the day itself. You’re the point person to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
The logistics include everything from flowers and photographers to food and entertainment. Among a wedding planner’s responsibilities:
Consult with the bride and groom to discuss their desired wedding and budget.
Discuss venue options, entertainment, catering and decoration preferences.
Tour the venue, prepare a guest list and discuss the design of invitations.
Schedule meetings with vendors including florists, photographers, videographers, caterers and bakers. Negotiate and execute contracts.
Prepare a seating plan and rehearsal dinner.
Create a timetable and schedule of wedding day events.
Make sure wedding gifts are secure and transported at the client’s request.
Troubleshoot and ensure the wedding day runs smoothly.
Are You a Team Player?
How to Answer Classic HR Interview Questions
With unemployment at record highs, even seasoned professionals are hunting for their next career move, and finding that they need to work hard to differentiate themselves in a crowded job market. In the leisure and hospitality industry, many hospitality professionals are reinventing themselves and seeking new positions. While we know this nationwide economic setback is only temporary, we also know that this is a valuable time to focus on ourselves, our skill set, and our ability to get hired. As a hospitality professional, your skills are highly transferable. You have what it takes to land a great job, but in this crowded field, with so many people job hunting right now, it really is a numbers game. Being prepared for your next interview will help to put the power back in your hands, and help you land your next position.
You’ve spent hours building your resume. Your trusted friends have proofread your resume and cover letter for you too. You have great references, and a solid background of relevant education and experience. You are ready for the job hunt! Once you find a potential opening that you believe would be a good fit, you apply. Now it’s up to you to make the right first impression.
The day of the interview arrives, and you are ready. Sitting at your home desk, you login to begin the process. Two faces are staring at you and they have a list of questions at the ready. You are probably their third interview for today and they might be tired by now. No pressure! Depending on the size of the company, you are most likely talking to members of their Human Resources department. Understanding HR and its functions will tell you exactly what they are looking for and in most cases, what they are avoiding. If you are prepared, you will knock it out of the park! Take a look at the following classic HR interview questions to better understand the science behind HR, and how you can customize your responses to be the most appealing job candidate for the position!
Question 1: Tell us what it is that you think we do here.
Clearly, they are weeding out the people who are applying for just any job. They want to know that you have done your homework and understand who they are. Also, this shows that not only do you know their business, but you are also committed to working there. Preparing yourself with knowledge of the details of the company, their mission, their deliverables, and their client base will help you look like a natural fit for the position.
Question 2: Tell us about yourself.
Translation: What have you done in your career that you are most proud of? They are not asking you about what you do in your personal time, so it’s best not to start bubbling up about your hobbies and latest vacations. To nail this answer, tell them about 2 or 3 accomplishments you have done at work that make you proud. Detailing concrete examples of your productivity, creativity, or ability to work as a member of a team will show them that you have what it takes to be a positive asset to their company.
Question 3: What are your greatest strengths, and what would you say is your biggest weakness?
Yes, they actually pulled this question out of a 1985 HR handbook. It is cringe-worthy that they would even ask this, and the truth is, they are not looking for honesty. This question translates to, What is your greatest asset that you can add to our talent pool and what is your pet peeve that you see in coworkers? Be prepared to answer this question with a few of your greatest strengths; bonus points if your pet peeve matches their pet peeve too.
Question 4: Do you prefer to work in a team environment, or do you prefer working independently?
Be careful, this is a trick question! If you say you are a team player, they might think that you are not able to work independently and need constant guidance. If you say you prefer to work on your own, they will see red flags and think you may be unable to work as a team. You will need to find a happy balance based on what you think this position entails. Try saying something like, “I enjoy working alone when necessary because I am confident enough to do the work, but I thrive in a group environment because I think more things can be accomplished when everyone is working together.” Nailed it!
Question 5: Give us an example of a disagreement with a coworker and how the issue was resolved.
The workplace is a rainbow of different personalities and they want to know how you fit in. They want to know that you can work with anyone and that no matter what, the work gets done. In this situation, they are more concerned with the outcome of the disagreement than the actual disagreement. Make sure to frame your answer with a positive outcome. Best answer: “I work well with anyone as long as there is clear and open communication.”
Champagne Events on a Penny Budget..
…and other reasons event planners make great managers.
Our guest today is a former event planner at an international destination management event company. After taking a break from the events industry to start a family, she harnessed her experience as an event planner to begin working in nonprofit management.
What has benefited me as an event planner in my current role? Let’s talk about life as an event planner. For starters, you need to learn how to talk to many different types of people when you are managing an event. The way you talk to your clients is different from the way you talk to the hotel or venue. You need to learn how to talk to everybody in every industry and with every title. The way you interact with a CEO or your boss is completely different than how you would talk to your employees. As an event planner, you need to talk to everyone in a way to make sure you don’t burn any bridges because if all goes well, you will be working with these people again in the future. That is a wide array of people from venue, to client, to catering staff, event vendors, and entertainment.
You need to be able to talk to a client off a ledge or how to tell them no. Often a client will change their mind and want to make last minute changes. You need to know how to politely tell your client that they are planning a festival that’s not within their budget. Quite possibly you need to explain why they can’t get a floating aerialist at the last minute because they don’t have the right permits for that. You also need to know how to talk to your crew because you could be managing a program for 5,000 attendees with a crew of 200 people. You need to learn how to gain their respect and for them to listen to you because you need them to execute your event. You have to know how to manage all these personalities. That’s what makes a great manager.
Let’s talk about working under pressure. There’s a reason why event planners are always on a “Top 10” list of most stressful jobs. Say you have a multimillion-dollar event with a big name like Doobie Brothers. They cost a lot of big penny. As an event planner, you must be quick on your feet. When the green room is missing something, you need to learn how to pull something else out of your hat and make everyone happy. One thing can ruin your event and you know you can’t let that happen. You need to know how to think under pressure and you need to know how to fix a problem on the spot. In job interviews, everyone always say they work well under pressure, but only event planners have been truly tested. Being good under pressure with a spreadsheet is different because you can erase and correct data. How many times have event planners stood in the middle of a site visit and a wall collapsed? “It’s going to work out, just you wait and see.” Or your driver is missing? I’m sure a lot of event planners ran to the parking garage and became their own Uber driver at times like that. It’s a skill you only learn through experience and being put under pressure.
You have so much to offer as an event planner. Let’s talk about staying on or under budget. During the Enron days, everybody started scaling back. How do you produce a memorable experience with very little budget? First and foremost, negotiation. People always say they have great negotiation skills. Do you really? Have you ever worked on a penny budget to make a champagne event? But that’s just what they do. They make miracles happen on the daily. Event managers are great for doing nonprofit because they’re so multifaceted. You are working with very little and you have to learn how to make something from nothing. At for-profits, maybe you are really great at becoming a team manager. You know how to handle different personalities, how to handle crowds. Essentially, what are managers for? You have the worker bees to do the work but you are the one they go to for problems. Essentially that is what event planners do. They are the one that solves the problems, and everyone goes to them.
#LoveIsNotCanceled
A quick look at this hashtag on Instagram will show you that weddings are not going away anytime soon. They might have changed in size, but people are still getting married. Wedding professionals might be feeling helpless during this time, but I assure you, their skills and knowledge have never been more needed.
Love conquers all. Now more than ever brides are looking for advice on how to plan their day. What are the requirements, where should they hold a service, how many people can attend, can we serve food? What might have been budget restrictions in the past are now county mandates and health codes. A seasoned professional will have all this information at the tip of their fingers. And if they don’t, they know precisely who to call.
Weddings are a unique expression of love and not one wedding is ever the same. Each couple wants to stamp their own personality on their nuptials. A lot of thought is given to color palettes, bridal bouquets, and menus. For now, they are moved to backyards and parks but you can be sure it will be the most glorious backyard wedding you’ve ever attended.
We’ve already seen new trends pop up in ceremonies. Terms like Micro Weddings, Covid Weddings, and Quarantine Weddings show us how resilient this industry is. Wedding planners are using this time to gather their favorite partner vendors to create a styled-shoot in some dreamy sunroom filled with orange blossoms and beautiful brides because they all know it’s only a matter of time before it’s safe to gather with 200 of your closest friends and family.
If you’ve ever planned your own wedding and thought, ‘hey, I can do that’, but then wondered where you should start, we can help. If you were furloughed from a career, you might be thinking now is the right time to pivot. We can help with that too. Let our career advisors at TISOH help guide you during this unique moment in history because once this is over, there’s going to be a Season of Weddings that this country hasn’t witnessed in a long, long time.
Hospitality Skills as a Transferable Foundation
Management. Check. Leadership. Check. Marketing and Sales. Yes. Human Resources. What? When was the last time you found your dream job posted on LinkedIn only to find that the required skills do not all fall within your wheelhouse? Then it is usually followed by an incredulous thought of “how can they expect one person to do all that!” Well, they can, and they do. But it is not impossible. Sure, you have your strengths and possibly years of experience but how well-rounded are you really?
Hospitality management is one of the most diverse backgrounds that can provide critical skills for a seamless transition into a myriad of other careers. Let us look at how some of these skills transfer to other careers.
Hospitality core competencies include people management, revenue management, maintaining service quality, and budgeting/allocating resources. These are all valuable skills not just applicable to hospitality management. Hospitality itself is very broad, with positions in hotel, cruises, clubs, attractions, catering, food & beverage, meetings and events, tradeshows, casino, entertainment, merchandising and so much more. Think about all the other related industries such as highly in demand assisted living residential communities, hospitals, property management, retail and more. In fact, in all corporation, managers and above need these skills as they have to manage staff, meet goals, allocate resources efficiently and so on.
Let us take a closer look at healthcare. Those looking to work in the healthcare industry need to bring with them a skill set common in the hospitality industry: emotional intelligence. A 2008 study in the Journal of Human Resources and Hospitality and Tourism found that personality types with higher levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to be employed in the service industry. Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management are all traits of emotional intelligence. A patient’s experience at a hospital is not solely based on their doctor, but an entire hospital team of nurses, medical assistants, therapists, transport personnel, food service staff, and technicians. A hospitality professional moving into the myriad of healthcare management opportunities will carry not just the core competencies discussed earlier in this article, but emotional intelligence as well to create a meaningful experience.