The BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) held its annual meeting, highlighting the challenges of the past four years as outgoing chair Tim Seward stepped down.

Tim, who was praised for his leadership across the period, said the last few years had seen Covid-19 start as soon as he took the position, with challenges across the conurbation including a lack of hospitality workers and a cost of living crisis which is now affecting many hospitality businesses in the area.

BAHA AGM and Recognition Awards 2024 launch. Outgoing Chairman Tim Seward hand over to new chair Rosie Radwell.

BAHA has been instrumental in delivering ARG funding projects, which included staff training and several defibrillators being positioned in hotels, marketing campaigns, the youth mobility scheme to help increase hospitality staff in the area, and much more.

Addressing hoteliers, patrons, award sponsors and partners, Tim said: “I am proud of what we have achieved together as a committee over the last 4 years.

“All of us have, and are doing, everything we can.

“We are now facing a further challenge with the cost of living; however, we are working collaboratively on solutions to help our industry’s future.

“Although we have had many challenges as hoteliers, from March 2020 to now, BAHA has led the way in what I understand has been the biggest journey the association has seen for a number of years, and we should all be proud of what we have accomplished together.”

BAHA AGM and Recognition Awards 2024 launch. Recognition Awards sponsors.

Tim outlined some of the highlights of the last few years:

• Continued work with several patrons and partners
• Supporting the BU Tourism & Hospitality conferences for the last few years
• Providing face to face training to hotel staff ranging from first aid and pool lifeguarding to customer service skills and fire marshal courses
• The start of the BAHA Recognition Awards which has now been going for 3 years and looking forward to celebrating a 4^th year in 2024

Tim thanked all those who had worked closely with BAHA for their continued support before he stepped down as chair.

BAHA’s officers for 2024/25 are as follows:

• Chair: Rosie Radwell, Marsham Court Hotel
• Vice Chair: Theo Iakimov, Miramar Hotel
• Vice Chair: Michael Matthews, Hilton Hotel Bournemouth
• President: David Bailey, Hospitality professional
• Past Chair: Tim Seward, Holiday Inn Bournemouth
• Treasurer: Zoe Westwood

The committee for 2024/25 are as follows:

• Jacqueline Entwistle, Real Recruitment solutions
• Sandra Graham, Trethowans Solicitors
• Tim Lloyd, Captains Club Christchurch
• Des Simmons, Bournecoast
• Andrew Slaney, East Cliff Cottage
• Mike Harrison, Hospitality Professional
• Darren Seward, NFU Mutual
• Carlo De Rosa, Ibis Styles
• Eytan Krips, Hotel Collingwood
• Dr C. Giousmpasoglou (Babis), Bournemouth University
• Claire Clarke, Bournemouth & Poole College
• James Dixon-Box, Marsham Court Hotel

Rosie Radwell, Incoming Chair, said: “The next few years will be important for the future of Tourism, with all the changes we are needing to make.

BAHA AGM and Recognition Awards 2024 launch.

Future initiatives include:

1. Collaborating with the likes of the Destination Management Board (DMB), the 4 BID’s and BCP Council and for the hotel industry to lead the way towards an Accommodation BID.
2. To create an events calendar for the BCP area in which we all have an input and with each of the local neighbourhoods highlighted.
3. To work closer with the wider Dorset area to make sure we are represented through an LVEP at events throughout the national and international markets.
4.  Continue to promote the industry to young people as a career.

Rosie said: “The committee members volunteer a lot of their time to make the area better for all and the work they have all accomplished over the last four years, under Tim Sewards leadership, has been immense. Looking forward, we will continue to build on the work that has been accomplished so far and look to begin exciting new projects.

BAHA AGM and Recognition Awards 2024 launch.

“NFU Mutual have agreed to be our sole headline sponsor for the next 3 years for the BAHA Recognition Awards which celebrates the loyalty and hard work of all our staff members across the industry from every level and we are thrilled to have them onboard.”

• https://www.bhhospitalityassociation.co.uk/

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