DANIEL TAKES SOME TIME OUT OF THE CRAZY WORLD OF HOTELS TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGING LABOR CONDITIONS, THE LOVE FOR HIS JOB AND WHY CAN’T ENGLAND GET A WORLD CUP WINNING FOOTBALL TEAM.
The great thing about my job is…I get paid to do something I genuinely love everyday.
The challenge for industry is…The ever changing labor conditions. More than ever it is vital to retain and develop the talent you have and grow the pipeline of future leaders in the business.
My greatest achievement is…There have been a few proud moments, but the greatest would have to be achieving a career goal I promised my mum when I was 16, to become a General Manager.
The biggest thing in MICE this year will be…The opening of the International Convention Centre Sydney. This is a key missing piece in the Sydney market and will no doubt attract some fantastic events into the city.
I try to relax by…socialising with family and friends, enjoying a glass of wine and playing sport, but not at the same time!
I don’t understand why…despite the money and players, England cannot get a football team together good enough to win a world cup, it has been 50 years this year since they took home a trophy.
My favourite venue is…slightly biased but I love the ballroom at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. From the pre function chandeliers to the mirrored ceilings, it has the right balance of elegance and class. That coupled with the history and lingering stories of many past events make it a unique Sydney venue.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…Uluru National Park, despite loving city life I also find remoteness and tranquillity invigorating.
I am scared to death of…missing out.
I can’t live without…friends and family.
I really wish I had…a teleportation machine so I could spend more time with family back in England.
If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be…Wow, tough question. I am assuming I can choose dead or alive so I will say, Cesar Ritz, Winston Churchill, the Queen and John Cleese for some comic value.
For anyone starting out in the industry one piece of advice I’d give would be ….Push yourselves to work outside of your comfort zone and try to love what you do everyday.
