At Accelerate 2024, we look forward to creating an inspirational in-person retreat experience and safe space for women in travel to connect, build relationships, share experiences and learn new leadership skills together.
Program
(subject to change)
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Registration 12:15pm-1:00pm
Program/Welcome begins at 1:00pm
Program/Welcome begins at 1:00pm
Session 1: Listening to Engage your Team & Build Trust
1:15pm-2:30pm
1:15pm-2:30pm
Develop trust and psychological safety in your teams through deep listening and asking powerful questions. Learn about different conversations you can have with your team members to create authentic relationships that generate results. Explore the conversation skills and style continuum and practice deep listening skills that will create the foundation for both directive and non-directive conversations.
Break
2:30pm-2:45pm
2:30pm-2:45pm
Session 2: Building Trust-Enabling Foundations for High-Performing Teams
2:45pm-3:45pm
Trust is widely recognized as an essential asset for high-performing teams to foster collaboration, deepen teamwork, drive engagement, and manage the never-ending process of change. In the hospitality industry, establishing trust in teams is paramount, where adaptability, innovation, and guest satisfaction hinges on the collaboration of employees across various departments and levels of the organization. Yet, building and nurturing trust is a real challenge, especially in working environments with high levels of employee turnover, mismatched expectations, shifting priorities, and hybrid work models. In this session, we will tackle the challenge of building team trust, moving beyond abstract ideas and individual-level change to actionable insights and strategies you can use to foster a climate that enables the trust that teams need to thrive.
Session 3: Harmony in Disagreement: Mastering the Art of Constructive
Conflict Resolution
3:45pm-4:45pm
Conflict Resolution
3:45pm-4:45pm
Our workshop on Constructive Conflict is designed to help individuals and teams learn the skills to transform disagreements into opportunities for growth and collaboration. In this interactive session, participants will explore the principles of constructive conflict resolution and learn the tools to go from disagreement to alignment.
Session 4: Crowd Sourcing Networking Exercise
4:45pm-5:15pm
4:45pm-5:15pm
In this session, each participant will identify one question from this afternoon’s sessions for which she would like suggestions/ideas. We will have 10 quick rounds of idea-only sharing (no discussion). Participants will write down each idea so when they leave, they will have 10 new ideas to consider to create the change they seek!
Cocktails & Conversation
5:45pm
Jenny Lucas, Senior Vice President, Operations at Loews Hotels & Co
with Nancy Mendelson, Founder & CEO, NEM Global/Advisor & Columnist, hertelier
with Special Guests
Nancy MendelsonConversation Host
|
Jenny LucasGuest Speaker
|
What does it take to move up the corporate ladder in the hotel industry? Is it possible to have diverse growth experiences and find a stimulating and satisfying career if you stay with the same company?
Drawn to Loews Hotels & Co over 25 years ago by a former boss, Jenny began her journey in F & B. Her passion for all aspects of the industry, her understanding of the value of the brand and her keen ability to spot an opportunity led her to a new position in HR, where she specialized in training and learning. Her ability to navigate successfully through several changes in senior leadership, more than one economic crisis and a global pandemic distinguished her as an outstanding leader in her own right.
Specializing in hotel openings (she has overseen many dozens!) Jenny is still with Loews as Senior Vice President of Operations and challenges the misconception that when someone has been at a company a long time, they are stuck, or complacent.
Hertelier’s Nancy Mendelson talks candidly with her former Loews colleague, Jenny Lucas, while broadening the conversation to include our Accelerate attendees…with cocktails, of course!
Drawn to Loews Hotels & Co over 25 years ago by a former boss, Jenny began her journey in F & B. Her passion for all aspects of the industry, her understanding of the value of the brand and her keen ability to spot an opportunity led her to a new position in HR, where she specialized in training and learning. Her ability to navigate successfully through several changes in senior leadership, more than one economic crisis and a global pandemic distinguished her as an outstanding leader in her own right.
Specializing in hotel openings (she has overseen many dozens!) Jenny is still with Loews as Senior Vice President of Operations and challenges the misconception that when someone has been at a company a long time, they are stuck, or complacent.
Hertelier’s Nancy Mendelson talks candidly with her former Loews colleague, Jenny Lucas, while broadening the conversation to include our Accelerate attendees…with cocktails, of course!
Dinner & After Dinner Activity
Sparkling Gem Tasting Activity
with All the Brilliants
6:45pm
A Sparkling Tasting is a memorable way to discover the elemental qualities of gemstones that make them valuable or special! Just as wine experts talk of “terroir” (French for “of the earth”), gemstones are too!
This experience for Accelerate will include 3 pairings of responsibly sourced gemstones that represent
women's empowerment:
• 2 ruby-hues to symbolize Confidence/Courage
• 2 orange-hues to symbolize Strength/Success
• 2 purple-hues to symbolize Wisdom
Many gems will be mined or cut by women! We will explore our personal connections to gemstones, the importance of responsible sourcing, and what it means to intentionally choose jewelry that empowers women.
After each pair has passed through your hands, we will play a game to guess the identity of the gem! Experience surprise and delight with an educational experience that will help amplify your personal brand AND align with your values.
This experience for Accelerate will include 3 pairings of responsibly sourced gemstones that represent
women's empowerment:
• 2 ruby-hues to symbolize Confidence/Courage
• 2 orange-hues to symbolize Strength/Success
• 2 purple-hues to symbolize Wisdom
Many gems will be mined or cut by women! We will explore our personal connections to gemstones, the importance of responsible sourcing, and what it means to intentionally choose jewelry that empowers women.
After each pair has passed through your hands, we will play a game to guess the identity of the gem! Experience surprise and delight with an educational experience that will help amplify your personal brand AND align with your values.
Friday, April 5, 2024
Coastal Walk/Run Groups, Optional Activity
6:30am-7:15am
6:30am-7:15am
Breakfast
7:00am-8:00am
Welcome Back
8:00am-8:15am
8:00am-8:15am
Session 5: Effective Feedback
8:15am-9:30am
Improve employee performance and impact by appropriately challenging, expressing appreciation, and providing clear and direct feedback. Learn and practice using a process for proving effective feedback in a supportive environment. This module is designed for real life situations and practice so when you return to work, you have developed the skills and confidence to be more effective.
New Clarity, Refreshed Confidence for Next Level Leadership
Denise DiGrogoli, Owner Drive Media & Consulting
9:30am-10:00am
Denise DiGrogoli, Owner Drive Media & Consulting
9:30am-10:00am
With a rich background as a seasoned entrepreneur, business strategist, and executive presence coach, her talk guarantees to spark inspiration and deliver actionable strategies. Be prepared to unlock hidden talents, foster a growth mindset, and master emotional intelligence. Join Denise on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth, as she shares personalized insights from her own life and business experiences, guiding you towards the path of living an inspired life daily. Seize this opportunity to elevate your leadership skills at Accelerate and embark on a profound journey of innovation and transformation.
Renewal Break
10:00am-10:30am
Session 6: Developmental Conversations
10:30am-11:30am
In this session you will learn how to have development and coaching conversations with team members and will have the opportunity to practice real development coaching conversations.
Session 7: Peer Group Coaching Using the Co-Development Process
11:30am-12:45pm
11:30am-12:45pm