A passion for the hospitality industry has guided Gary McCrudden through his career and to his current post as a Conference and Events Manager.
The post: Conference and Events Manager, Clayton Hotel Belfast (Dalata Hotel Group)
The post holder: Gary McCrudden
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I started working part-time at the Wellington Park Hotel while still at school. It was here I realised I had a passion for hospitality. From there I progressed to the Hastings’ Trainee Management programme at the Europa Hotel. When I completed the programme I was appointed Deputy Banqueting Manager.
I then joined Ramada Hotel (now Crowne Plaza) initially as Deputy Banqueting Manager but was quickly promoted to Banqueting Manager.
I spent three and a half years developing the banqueting provision before moving on to the Clayton Hotel Belfast and taking up the role of Banqueting, Food & Beverages Manager. I am currently the Conference and Events Manager and recently helped to launch our brand-new state-of-the-art meeting and events centre. I am also participating in the Dalata Elevate management programme to prepare for the next step in my career.
What was your favourite subjects at school?
I really enjoyed Irish language and History.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I left school after A-levels and started working full-time in hospitality. When I discovered that I thrived in the hospitality environment I simply grabbed all the opportunities available to learn and develop.
How did you get into your area of work?
I started part-time while still studying, purely for pocket-money, but soon caught the hospitality bug and have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Not at all, but I soon fell in love with it and quickly decided that this is what I wanted to pursue.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
At entry level the most important attribute is to demonstrate a genuine welcome and desire to achieve excellence in hospitality. It’s the first asset I still look for in potential new recruits.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
There are many routes into the industry such as courses with Belfast Metropolitan College, the Hospitality Academy in conjunction with Belfast City Council and the Dalata Ascend graduate programme which has already unearthed some of our future hospitality leaders.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Without a doubt the key skill is patience and understanding that every guest has different needs which are specific to each individual.
What does a typical day entail?
One of the joys of a career in hospitality is that every day is different. One day I might be looking after a bridal couple on the most important day of their lives and the next I might be dealing with a high profile business conference with complex event, audio visual and catering requirements and the day after that I might be reviewing strategic sales & marketing plans to assist my department to play its part in achieving overall budget success. There is no ‘typical’ day!
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best aspect of my job is easily the people I meet along the way. I have met some truly fascinating people over the years. The most challenging aspect is what keeps me from doing the above more often – admin!
Why is what you do important?
On a personal level, getting a hug from a beaming bride at the end of her wedding day while telling me that everything was perfect is vitally important to me. On a broader level, having been born and bred in Belfast and seeing first-hand how tourism and hospitality has flourished in the last 15-20 years and knowing I have played even a tiny role in that is hugely satisfying.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Treat every guest how you would expect to be treated if you were in their shoes and you will never go too far wrong.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I’m sometimes told that I talk too much so perhaps a lecturer!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Plan and manage your time and don’t be afraid to ask for help – it is not a sign of weakness.
Describe your ideal day off.
Spending the day with my family.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Be passionate! If you don’t wake up feeling excited about what your day might bring then that job’s not for you – your heart has to be in it. So, show your passion.