The Big Cheese with Leon Pink
We catch up with the general manager of Elements of Byron.
The great thing about my job is… Seeing my team embrace the resort’s vision and curating guest experiences that connect with that vision.
The challenge for industry is… Keeping ahead of repuation management. This has never been so relevant as now in the ‘mocial’ media world.
My greatest achievement is… A part from landing this role, my invovlement with the Indigenious trainnee progam and the creating a holistic cultural experience at Ayers Rock Resort.
The biggest thing in MICE this year will be… Short and sharp presentations, local farm to table & food as décor and of course seemless technology with the quickly evolving event mobile applications centre stage.
I try to relax by… Spending time with family, running, swimming , chiling at a café.
I don’t understand why… People believe hospitality professionals.
My favourite venue is… totally bias! Heart of the Bay – the new beach front venue at Elements of Byron. Also loved seeing the impart Ulur had on guests at Sounds of Silence.
I’ve always wanted to travel to… The Kimberleys for me – a fishing holiday with some luxury.
I am scared to death of… Centipedes – scarred from my desert experiences.
I can’t live without… My daily green juice.
I really wish I had… My own 25 metre lane pool.
If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be… Danny Meyer, Kit Kemp, Hugh Jackman and Virginia Trioli
For anyone starting out in the industry one piece of advice I’d give would be… What I try to share with all my team at Elements of Byron is that this career needs to be driven by true passion for hospitality.
Today, guests’ expectations are higher than ever before and are influenced with two major changes: their sense of urgency is heightened and their feedback is often brutal and made instantly public over social media. An aspiring hotelier needs to be ready to act and adjust very quickly and have a thick skin.
I wish all hotel schools would teach the leaders of tomorrow to improve their Emotional IQ along with other skills to be properly equipped for this profession.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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