New Rising Star Celebrated at Hotel Industry Awards

New Rising Star Celebrated at Hotel Industry Awards

Last night Sam Swaffield was named the new ServiceIQ Hotel Industry Outstanding Young Executive of the Year. The young star’s meteoric rise in New Zealand’s hotel industry captured the judges’ attention.

Sam is Operations Manager at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland where he is responsible for the overall food and beverage and rooms division operations - amazing when you know that he only got into the hotel industry two years ago.

Sam arrived at the Intercontinental Hotels Group in 2013 after a year in customer service with the ANZ bank, and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in hotel management. Placed on a one-year fast track graduate programme at the Crowne Plaza, Sam experienced a huge range of roles across the hotel from housekeeping to food and beverage.

In 2014, he was appointed Front Office Manager at Holiday Inn Airport, followed by a six month secondment as Operations Analyst at Corporate Head Office in Australia.

The ServiceIQ award honours young hotel executives who have made an exceptional contribution to their employer and the industry over the past year. It was presented as part of the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards 2015, held at the Langham Hotel.

The judges were persuaded by Sam’s outstanding abilities and achievements, which include helping to drive the growth and success of two hotels, during a relatively short career.

ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington says the hotel industry offers exciting career opportunities for young New Zealanders.

He says: “Sam’s success clearly shows the potential that exists for passionate and talented people with the right skills and training.”

It’s a stunning achievement for Sam, the Intercontinental Hotels Group and the sector because it’s an award that recognises the importance and value of continued professional development.

“With highly skilled people, we are building an even stronger reputation around the world for first-rate hotel service,” says Dean.

ENDS

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