Workforce Development Series

The Workforce Development Series is tailored towards anyone with an interest in HR and Employee Engagement. The sessions will cover hot topics such as employee retention, hiring strategies, onboarding, workplace wellness, benefits and more!

All sessions are FREE and virtual. Eight speakers, eight topics offering something for everyone. Register for as many as you would like!

Humanizing HR: Transforming your Seasonal Business into an
Employer of Choice

Monday, January 8th | 2:00pm (EST)

Presented by Colby Bracy
Director of People & Operations, Nonantum Resort

In this session we will discuss various ways to enhance the work experience at seasonal properties in order to become fully staffed, increase retention from year to year, and reduce your reliance on visa workers. Topics will include non-traditional benefit ideas for seasonal workers, small and inexpensive ways to show employees they matter, and the value of empowering every employee.

Strategies to Navigate the Benefits Market

Wednesday, January 10th | 2:00pm (EST)

Presented by Vinnie Daboul
Managing Director, RT Consulting, LLC

A strong employee benefit offering has never been more critical. It is the number one tool that will help you recruit and retain you most valuable asset, human capital. With an ever-changing benefits market, what does it mean for you and where do you go, what do you look for and most of all, how do you build a program that will work best for you and your employees? Employee benefits is not one size fits all. Vinnie Daboul will provide an overview of the current state of the market, opinions on where the market is headed and what you can do to navigate the turbulent benefits waters over the next few years.

Leading with TLC: Soft Skills in Employee Relations and Engagement

Friday, January 19th | 11:00am (EST) 

Presented by Kelsey Raymond
Area Director, People + Culture, Kennebunkport Resort Collection

A post-pandemic workforce has left many employers with green supervisors and managers learning the tact to address daunting employee relations issues. Discover ways to build internal culture through genuine care, coaching with effective delivery, and strength in accountable communication. Discuss the power of leading with TLC to increase employee engagement in your organization. 

Employee Retention and Corporate Culture in Hospitality

Monday, January 22nd | 2:00pm (EST) 

Presented by Patti Simpson
Chief Administrative Officer, Union Square Hospitality 

SESSION DESCRIPTION COMING SOON...

Inside the Minds of Today's Hospitality Job Seekers

Wednesday, January 24th | 2:00pm (EST) 

Presented by Adam Robinson
Co-Founder & CEO, Hireology 

Based on a 2023 survey of more than 400 hospitality job seekers, Hireology has uncovered exactly what top talent in this industry is looking for when it comes to work and the job search itself. Based on these results, we’ve also identified what it takes for you to not only capture your fair share of talent in today’s competitive labor market, but also retain your team.

In this session, Adam Robinson, CEO of Hireology, will dig into the key results of this survey and outline steps you can take to improve your job offerings, your hiring process, and your technology in order to capture better talent, fill open roles faster, and ultimately provide better guest experiences.

The Staff Onboarding Experience

Monday, January 29th | 2:00pm (EST) 

Presented by Jason O. Raimondi
President & Founder, JOR Hospitality Solutions

Today, we work hard to create exceptional experiences for our Hotel Guests; but what about offering the same to our newly hired staff? In this session, we will discuss ways to create memorable moments and amazing training experiences for our new staff. From the moment they receive their offer letter through their first 30-days on the team, we will learn how to warmly welcome and properly on board each new hire.

Beyond Service: Cultivating a Culture of Wellness

Wednesday, January 31st | 2:00pm (EST) 

Presented by Natalia Levey
Chef, Restaurateur, & Speaker, Hi Hospitality Group

"Beyond Service: Cultivating a Culture of Wellness" is a transformative presentation that delves into the critical need for wellness programs in the hospitality industry. This session explores the unique challenges faced by hospitality workers, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between employee well-being and exceptional guest service. It highlights practical strategies, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing employee burnout. Attendees will gain actionable insights into fostering a healthier, more productive work environment.

State of Seasonal Hiring

Wednesday, February 7th | 2:00pm (EST) 

This session will delve into the staffing struggles that lodging properties are experiencing in New England and nationally, discuss strategies and solutions for addressing these challenges, and share best practices that organizations can employ.  With a focus on American and international (H-2B and J-1 visa) recruiting, the session will look at the current state of hiring, what the year ahead will bring, and how organizations can utilize different recruiting methods to allow them to be properly staffed for their busy seasons. These topics, and more, will be discussed with an eye toward understanding key trends and leveraging them to find solutions to lodging organizations biggest staffing and operational struggles.

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