#207 - Hospitality Meets Jane Pendlebury - Technology, Trends, and Triumphs

In this cheerful and engaging episode of Hospitality Meets, Phil catches up with the delightful Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA (https://www.hospa.org/). Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, intriguing experiences, and valuable insights into the world of hospitality.

Highlights:

1. Career Pathways and Unexpected Turns:

• Jane takes us through her colourful journey in the hospitality industry, complete with unexpected opportunities and memorable moments. Whether it's working a night shift in a party dress after attending a friend's 21st birthday or recounting her time temping at Channel 4 News, Jane's path is nothing short of eclectic.

2. Tips for Public Speaking:

• Jane shares her tips for conquering stage fright, drawing from her experience hosting a conference with no live audience.

3. The Human Element in Hospitality:

• Jane and Phil reflect on what makes the hospitality industry so special: its human-centric, team-oriented environment. Both have left and returned to hospitality, unable to resist its camaraderie and vibrant nature.

Funny Moments:

• Straight Face Mishaps: Jane shares a hilarious story from her early career about keeping a straight face at the reception desk during a particularly amusing incident.
• Chair Tumble Tale: Phil relates his own funny experience, falling off a chair while working on a cruise ship. It's a moment of shared laughter about the unpredictable nature of work in hospitality.
• Night audit in party dress: Jane recounts a story of conducting the night audit on the back of a 21st birthday party!

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Unexpected Opportunities: Jane's career is a testament to being open to unexpected turns and opportunities. From temp jobs to key industry roles, embracing the unpredictable has led her to fulfilling positions.
2. Conquer Public Speaking with Practice: Jane’s transformation into a confident speaker, especially highlighted by hosting a virtual conference, underscores the value of practice and visualisation in conquering public speaking fears.
3. Strong Personal Connections: Both Jane and Phil emphasise the strong, lasting personal connections within the hospitality industry, which often feels like a close-knit family despite its competitive nature.

Tune in to this episode for a blend of humour, heartfelt reflections, and insights that any hospitality professional—or anyone with a love for a good story—will enjoy. Don't miss Jane's entertaining anecdotes and Phil's relatable experiences that make this an episode full of smiles and learning moments!

The Guest

Jane has worked with HOSPA (the Hospitality Professionals Association) for many years and has been CEO for over 8 years.

HOSPA is a not-for-profit membership organisation for commercial leaders involved in finance, technology, revenue management and marketing alongside hospitality business owners and their representatives.

Having gained a degree in hospitality management, Jane worked in both chain and independent hotels before becoming a supplier of technology to the industry.

She is an enthusiastic supporter of hospitality businesses and the myriad of people who work within them. Jane likes to add her positive voice to promote the industry far and wide.

https://www.instagram.com/hospa_/