A YoungHotelier.com video interview with Annie Buckley, who is the Hotel Public Relations Manager (Hospitality PR & Marketing) at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. Annie tells us about what got her into the role and what competencies are required of those looking to pursue this field, among other things. This is a 3 part series - the 1st video can be viewed above, while the other two parts follow below.

Video 1: Having chosen English and Geography while ascertaining a Bachelor of Arts in the University College of Cork, little did Annie realize that she would find herself 3 years down the line as a Public Relations Manager in The Ritz-Carlton Dubai!

Annie hosts a fascinating background of experience, her college days were drawn to a close with a Masters in Sustainable Development that focused on how we can grow economically without harming the environment. I hear you asking the question…… what has this got to do with hotels? In choosing a topic for her dissertation Annie focused on how environmentally friendly hotels are and the schemes hotels operate nowadays. As Annie explains the hotel industry is such a luxury business, but do these hotels mirror this luxury in their environmental awareness? Further to attending a work fair in Cork at which Ritz Carlton were offering opportunities for a six month work experience Annie decided to take advantage of the opportunity this afforded her to travel to the United States. This is in fact as to how her hospitality career began, as a restaurant server in the Ritz Carlton Colorado!  Very impressed with the companies philosophy and work ethos of the Ritz Carlton Group Annie asked the question as to where to next? From rainy Cork, to snowy Colorado and then the desert! One extreme to the next, minus 50 degrees to plus 50 in a year and a half! In the deserts of the Middle East Annie took on again an F&B role in Dubai during which time she was fortunate to receive a place on the companies cross departmental training scheme which she took on board in her spare time and this is when her hidden talent in writing skills were put to the test in Public Relations!  Further to a job opportunity in Qatar, Annie has returned to the golden sands in Dubai where she has taken on her most recent role as the Hotel’s Public Relations Manager. Did you know that Scandinavian hotels chains and independent hotels resulted in her research as being the most environmentally friendly, The Scandic Brand leading the way with hotel bedrooms that are in fact 97% recyclable! Fascinating!….Annie kindly reminds us that as an individual with a home you can do a lot to help our precious environment but what an incredible impact a global hotel chain could have were it to take this on board worldwide! Learn more of Annie’s tales and daily tasks in her PR role from website design to supporting the Ritz Carlton Brand!

Video 2: A hospitality background according to Annie is not a necessity, but Passion and Drive are a must! The skills can all be acquired to a certain extent however writing does play a key focus in Annie’s PR role. Multitasking and prioritizing are crucial to ensure both planned and unplanned deadlines are all meet in time!  As you are acting as the ‘voice of the hotel’ you must be detail orientated reinforcing the luxury five star brand you represent. Even spelling mistakes count! Fortunately for Annie she has had the opportunity to encounter more than one inspiring mentor to date, however truth be told her first PR Manager is one that she holds closest to her heart. In the space of 1 week this mentor who devoted her time, was selfless in sharing her experiences and energy instilled great passion in Annie and she knew that her new skill she was acquiring would be more than just a hobby! This mentor herself was very passionate about her role and it’s importance within the hotel and brand and this passion quickly spread and kidnapped Annie! Learn Annie’s rewarding challenges, the Ritz Carlton employee promise and more…

Video 3: Annie considers hospitality like many other job’s….a calling…. The greatest reward for her is seeing the esteem that the brand is held in and knowing that she is devoting her days to a truly luxury brand! With her fast track career Annie’s main advice to Young Hotelier’s is to gain work experience! While you may feel a career in hospitality is for you, do know in what area in the hotel and at that what type of an experience that job role you think is for you offers on a daily basis? Use the people you know, your local hotel, even if it is to get a two week stint to find what exactly it is that drives you? If you do not discover what you are passionate about then you shall not stand the test of time! Hospitality is seen as a very social job, which undoubtedly it is but remember on the backhand of that it hosts long hours hence if you do not truly find that passion then it may not be the job for you!…..Simon Cooper…CEO of Ritz Carlton would be Annie’s choice given the opportunity to interview anyone! She believes he is an iconic figure who, in a very short space of time has built the Ritz Carlton Brand to what we know today and believes that learning his story and how he sees the future in this fast paced and ever changing industry would prove inspirational! Let’s hope Younghotelier.com is afforded this incredible opportunity in the future! 

Discuss Annie’s Interview in the YoungHotelier.com TEA Lounge:
http://younghotelier.com/lounge/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16