How can professional organizations help you network in the Hospitality industry?

1 Benefits of professional organizations

Professional organizations are associations that bring together people who work in the same or related fields, sectors, or functions. They usually offer various benefits to their members, such as access to events, publications, training, certification, mentoring, and advocacy. By joining a professional organization, you can network with other hospitality professionals who share your passion, challenges, and aspirations. You can also learn from their experiences, insights, and advice, and gain exposure to new ideas, trends, and opportunities. Additionally, you can showcase your skills, achievements, and potential to potential employers, partners, or clients through your involvement and contributions.

2 Types of professional organizations

The hospitality industry is home to a variety of professional organizations, depending on your area of specialization, interest, or career stage. For instance, industry-wide organizations such as the International Association of Hospitality Professionals (IAHP), the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) cover the whole spectrum of hospitality sectors, from hotels to events. Sector-specific organizations like the Boutique and Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) or the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) focus on a particular segment of the industry, while role-specific organizations like the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) or the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) provide more practical and hands-on training for their members. Finally, interest-specific organizations like the Green Hospitality Initiative (GHI) or the Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) offer more opportunities for socializing and networking.

3 How to choose the right professional organizations

Deciding which professional organizations to join and participate in can be daunting with so many options available. To make the best choice for your networking goals, assess your needs and objectives first. What are you looking for from a professional organization? Research your options using online directories, search engines, social media, or word-of-mouth to find out about different organizations, their missions, visions, values, benefits, and requirements. Compare and contrast them based on factors like membership fees, eligibility, application process, events, publications, training, certification, mentoring, and advocacy. Try attending some of their events or joining some of their online communities as a guest or trial member to experience firsthand how the organization operates. After joining a professional organization, evaluate your experience and results regularly and adjust your level of involvement accordingly. Be open to exploring new or different organizations that might suit your changing goals or interests better.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?