Receptionist Of The Year (ROTY)
As with everything, COVID has thrown a spanner in the works with any live events since 2020. So, we held two national virtual competitions in 2021 with NZ taking part at the second competition. The result: the Australian and NZ candidates progressed to the international competitions and finished within the top 10.
The most rewarding aspect has been the positive motivational impact the competitions have on all involved, especially, during the constant on/off lockdown phases.
Australia's next competition is envisaged for later this year in October. Considering the positive impact, it has had on the candidates, it might be worth introducing this to your front office team – you may have a very ambitious and enthusiastic candidate keen to be involved. We would also be delighted to put past AICR candidates in touch with any of your team members who may be keen to participate. AICR International and individual sections are also on social media, which highlight recent events/activities, feel free to follow to stay up to date with latest updates: e.g. Linkedin.
For the competition, a member may nominate up to two candidates. These may be from any hotel that meets the standard of upscale 4, 4½ and 5 stars.
Our goal is for each hotel to have an AICR member and will enable AICR Australia to meet its objective of forming a network of Front Office Managers around the country with the focus and commitment of promoting hotel front office as a professional career choice by engaging and rewarding their talent.
Our focus this year is to find and engage our young talent and share our hospitality passion with developing them into becoming our future leaders and members.
AICR - International website (www.aicrinternational.org)
The AICR was founded in 1964 on the Côte d'Azur in France by the Chefs de Réception of several luxury hotels. Over more than 58 years the AICR has developed into an international organisation represented in 18 countries and continues to grow.
At an international level the AICR provides front office managers with an invaluable network offering: a friendly and professional support mechanism; exchange of views, information and experiences; forwarding of reservations making it easier for guests to move to an unknown hotel; the David Campbell Trophy International Receptionist of the Year; recruitment, job search and ways to attract more staff into the industry.
The Amicale also means much more than just a professional organisation. The word 'Amicale' was chosen deliberately to highlight the friendships between amicalists which have been formed over many years.
Individual sections in each country offer a range of activities which may include: a series of meetings every year including lectures by national organisations, eg tourist boards; new hotel inspections; National Receptionist of the Year Competition; information sharing surveys, product presentations; initiatives to attract more young people into the industry such as visits to schools or visits of hotels by schools, and to support them if they have chosen a career in front office.