During the course of the day on Monday 15th April, 2024, the Hospitality Department of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) conducted its first Hospitality Expo at the Hospitality Center at Campus Q.
Prayer was offered by Mrs. Shermin Adams and the Welcome Remarks were delivered by Head of the Hospitality Department, Mrs. Kendisha Hall-Prentice. She described the purpose of the Expo, in part: “Today marks a special occasion where industry leaders, innovators, and hospitality enthusiasts come together to celebrate and showcase the latest trends, technologies and insights which shape the hospitality landscape,” she said.
“As we gather here today, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation and camaraderie that defines the hospitality industry,” she said. “Let us seize the opportunity to learn from each other as we exchange ideas and forge new partnerships that will propel us to new levels in the hospitality industry.”
Comments were given by the ALHCS Principal, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, who endorsed Mrs. Hall-Prentice’s welcome remarks : “Every year, the Head of Hospitality runs a special seminar, but this year Mrs. Hall- Prentice has organized this Hospitality Expo,” she said. “What she is doing is forging a bridge between the hospitality lessons that the students have learned in school and the skills they would be called to actively practice in real life in just a month’s time, when they leave school.”
The aim of the Expo was to bring together a diverse range of hospitality businesses to provide school leavers with valuable insight into various career paths within the hospitality industry. A wide range of activities were featured at the Expo, all intended to interest, enlighten and educate the students as hospitality employees. Activities included cooking demonstrations, mixology demonstrations, and various hospitality company showcases.
Mrs. Hall-Prentice expressed her gratitude to the faculty of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and, in particular, she recognized the work of the teachers in the Hospitality Department. In addition, she expressed thanks and appreciation for the influence of the School’s Principal, Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty, as well as the Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Mr. Trevor Hodge, who had worked diligently with her to bring the Expo to fruition.
In speaking to The Anguillian towards the end of the event, Mrs. Hall-Prentice said that the purpose of the Expo was to create an opportunity for hospitality students to engage with industry partners and professionals. “By so doing,” she said, “it is hoped that avenues would begin to open for potential job opportunities.”
She explained that the Expo does not just focus on hotel work proper, but that it gives the students exposure to other spin-off businesses in the tourism industry, including charters and transportation, excursions, and events facilitation, etc.
When asked if the Expo would be an annual event, Mrs. Hall-Prentice said, “In the years prior to Covid, the Department used to put on a Hospitality Seminar each year. This, though, is our first Expo, and it has turned out to be very successful with greater participation. More members and businesses from the industry are involved, so yes, we think it is destined to be an annual event, indeed.”
She thanked the large hotels and businesses for coming on Board to participate in making the first Expo such a success. Entities engaging in the Expo included Malliouhana Resort, Four Seasons Resort, Anguilla- Human Resources, Levroc Sound, Tranquility Beach, Malliouhana-Culinary, Funtime Charters, Queen Sue Beauty Spa, Blue Sea, Anguilla Tourist Board, Quest Experiences and What We do in Anguilla, Marva Smith and M’Tima Daniels. She said that, all in all, it has been an amazing experience, and she attested to the fact that the students are indeed ready and eager to launch out into the practical hospitality field.
A rep from Tranquility Beach Resort told The Anguillian “Today’s event was insightful for the students. Many of them, while they are in school, are not too sure of what career they would like to pursue when they grow up, so we were delighted to guide them in the field of hospitality here today.”
Mrs. Chantelle Richardson of the Anguilla Tourist Board said: “To participate at the Expo was a great opportunity for us to share with the students and educate them about what the responsibilities of the Anguilla Tourist Board are, relative to the hospitality industry.”
At the end of the day, Mrs. Hall-Prentice testified that many of the students are now eager to go out into the industry and they are very willing to be trained. She said the students “totally took over the demonstrations. It just goes to show the eagerness and excitement that we have here.”
She thanked her colleagues, Ms. Shinika Lake and Mr. karl Woodley, who were very instrumental in assisting her in the Expo endeavour.
