Need for industry training

Another area that needs to be seriously explored and addressed is to have institutions that provide industry talent. Raghav Gupta, Director, Venues and Vacations shares his opinion on this idea, “Just like we have professional chefs, F&B personnel, revenue and accommodations managers, now we need to have skilled and talented MICE managers. They need to be professional in more than just one area of service. Even with growing chains such as Four Seasons, Marriott and Starwood and the domestic chains expanding their wings within India, there is clearly a need for skilled talent which the hospitality industry has recognised for the growth of MICE. Another reason why we need to look at having skilled MICE managers from a professional platform, as they all need MICE managers and not just banquet or meeting organisers. For MICE management companies, it is important we enhance our in-house skill sets to meet with such demands. So far, our country has people in the MICE segment, who have learnt their subject over the years with onthe-job experiential learning and try and groom their support teams. But if the same veterans from the industry can get MICE managers as younger students, our efficiency and hence the deliverables will be at power with the expectations of the client.”