The Chief Guest inaugurating the convention was Hospitality stalwart Jose Dominic – Founder and Chairman of the Casino Group of Hotels. With a personal fascination with the number ‘9’, he was delighted be present at the 9th HPMF convention. Referring to the historic meeting of the Indian and Chinese Premieres in Mahabalipuram that was happening at the time, he spoke about the amalgamation of the two cultures as far back as the 13th Century with many influences, especially the Chinese fishing nets that still exist in Kochi. He said, “Purchase is integral to developing destinations and protecting the planet.” And reiterated, “The success of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Kerala is not intended to serve the tourist but to serve the community.”
The opening panel discussion ‘Is HPMF doing enough for the Hospitality Procurement Fraternity?’ was brilliantly facilitated by Jaideep Gupta in a unique ‘moot court’ format. The convention covered many interesting partner presentations of unique products supported by the subsequent B2B Meetings as well as motivational talks.
Keeping to its mission statement of preserving cultures, lunch was the Sadhya (traditional banquet) which was a sensational multicourse vegetarian meal featuring 26 dishes served on a banana leaf. Dinner at the Kumbalini village was yet another cultural experience with ethnic entertainment. The cocktail dinner was accompanied by the pulsating rhythm of a one-of-its-kind ensemble Vayali Bamboo Music. Their exceptional sound and beats had the crowd singing and dancing wildly!
For the Awards Night, the traditional Kerala pookalam (flower petal rangoli) adorned the floor at the entrance to the lobby and guests waited with baited breath in the foyer for the grand entry, amplified to the strains of the Star Wars Theme music. This Grand Finale and night to remember served up a dinner – banquet style with an exclusive five course menu. The HPMF members dressed in tuxedos provided the aura of elegance. The evening honoured many of the HPMF members with awards for their achievement but the night belonged to the felicitation of the Navratnas, all of whom are super achievers in the field of sports – truly a galaxy of stars!
The final countdown started the morning after as delegates participated in the Snake Boat race at the jetty. The moments of fun and frolic included a birthday breakfast celebration for Dr Nitin.
In conversation, Nitin said, “It was all about pleasing the guests and touching their hearts. Our objective was to showcase the culture. What happens between 9 to 6 in the seminar room is commonplace, but what happens before 9 and after 6 is what matters. Everybody needs to be bound together in the theme – this year’s theme was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) and I am sure that we have got the world to come together in one family of HPMF and I am proud of it.”
And thus, concluded yet another exhilarating HPMF event of the year, which was attended by purchase and procurement managers of hotels and other facilities. Clean India Journal was media partner to the event.
“We wait with bated breath for the HPMF 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Conventions and Awards 2020. Belly dancers and Burj Al Arab are beckoning us!”
