Challenge for future leaders

This first edition marks a crossroads for innovation and talent development within the hospitality and tourism sectors in South Africa

The Middle East & Africa Future Leaders Challenge (FLC) will host its first South African edition on October 8^e and 9^e May 2024 in Johannesburg. After highly successful first editions in Dubai and Morocco, this event has developed into a crucial meeting for the new generation of talent in the hospitality and tourism sector, eager to take on strategic challenges and explore new career opportunities. The event promises to be a melting pot of innovation and excellence, bringing together students, industry professionals and thought leaders for unparalleled knowledge sharing and development.

FLC South Africa is organized in close collaboration with the School Directors Alliance and founders GameChangers, Tourvest and Hilton. One of the key objectives of the event is to strengthen ties between the industry and educational institutions, with the aim of cultivating the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals. The challenge aims to develop young talent for a rewarding career in the hospitality and tourism industry. In addition, the ‘student challenge’ consists of selecting a unique group of the country’s most talented young people for the finals of the MEA Future Leaders Challenge in Dubai, which will take place in January 2025.

Hubert Ummels, one of the founders of FLC and the owner and founder of GameChangers Group, expresses the transformative objectives of the FLC as follows: “This platform unites industry leaders, students and universities and stimulates transformative collaborations and initiatives to improve education quality, talent development and development and focus on human capital”.

With the participation of 60 students from 15 schools offering bachelor/masters degrees in hospitality or tourism across South Africa, the event promises to offer 60 professional and internship opportunities, both nationally and internationally. The establishment of the South African School Directors Alliance, which brings together 15 leading institutions, represents a significant step forward in promoting educational and professional skills excellence.

The program starts on May 8^e with an opening ceremony, followed by a series of workshops and sessions aimed at empowering students. Strategy meetings, a discussion forum and a job fair are also on the agenda, culminating in student presentations and the announcement of the finalists and winner on May 9.

Andreas Lackner, Vice President, Operations, Africa and Indian Ocean, Hilton, said: “As founders of the Future Leaders Challenge, we are delighted to expand this remarkable initiative to South Africa. The hospitality and tourism sector continues to make a significant contribution to Africa’s economic progress; and supporting local talent remains a central objective. Through this initiative, we look forward to giving young professionals the opportunity to connect with hospitality experts while building a promising career path in this thriving sector.”

The FLC South Africa aligns with the MEA FLC’s mission to develop, elevate and support future leaders in the industry by providing them with the necessary tools to realize their full potential, positioning South Africa as a regional leader in developing talent in the hospitality and tourism industry. The support of Platinum and Gold Partners, including Hilton, Accor, GameChangers, Radisson Hotel Group, Booking.com, The Saxton Hotel, Wesgro, TrevPar and Tourvest, plays a crucial role in enriching the participant experience and underlines the diversity and strength of the industry’s commitment to developing future leaders.

The 2024 edition of the MEA Future Leaders Challenge in South Africa therefore ranks as a key event for the industry, highlighting the importance of investing in emerging talent and professional development to further cement South Africa’s position as a regional leader in the field of hospitality and tourism. sector. Strategic board members:

· Hubert Ummels – Owner and founder GameChangers Groupc and initiator MEA FLC

· Sandra Kneubuhler – Country Director of Sales & District Director – Radisson

· Judi Nwokedi – Chairman Gauteng Tourism Authority

· Craig Erasmus – Vice President of Operations Fairmont Africa & Mantis

· Andreas Lackner – Vice President, Operations, Africa and Indian Ocean, Hilton

· George Cohen – Managing Director Saxon Hotels

· Monika Luel – Chief Tourism Officer Wesgro

· Daphne Kruijsse – Area Manager Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands Booking.com

Participating schools:

1. UJ – University of Johannesburg

2. SHS- The Swiss Hotel School

3. NWU-North West University

4. TUT- Tshwane University of Technology

5. CPUT- Cape Peninsula University of Technology

6. UNISA- University of South Africa

7. UNIZULU- University of Zululand

8. NHL Stenden South Africa

9. UNIVEN- University of Venda

10. CUT- Central Technical University

11. WSU-Walter Sisulu University

12. DUT-Durban University of Technology

13. UMP- University of Mpumalanga

14. UP- University of Pretoria

15. IH- International Hotel School

For more information about the press release or for any interview requests, please contact [email protected]
More information can also be found at www.meafutureleaderschallenge.com