HAPA® Awards Malaysia Series 2023-2024, a remarkable event jointly organized by HAPA® Group and Taylor’s University, concluded on the 10 May 2023, 8 months after the launch of the partnership on 9 September 2022, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. The awards night, which celebrated resilience and excellence in the hospitality, culinary and tourism industries, was a resounding success, thanks to the collective efforts of the 40 dedicated volunteers from Taylor's School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Events (SHTE). The event was an exquisite showcase of talent and achievement with a total of 210 trophies, 145 resilience frames and 71 plaques presented to deserving recipients.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as industry leaders, both renowned and emerging, gathered under one roof. For the volunteers, it was an extraordinary opportunity to meet and interact with these influential figures, fostering connections and gaining insights into the key players of the hospitality, culinary and tourism sectors. Joining such a prestigious and large-scale event was an unreal and exhilarating experience. The opportunity to interact with people from the hospitality, culinary and tourism industries, witness their expertise firsthand, and contribute to the event's success was truly remarkable. It provided them with a unique perspective and a chance to broaden their horizons.
The volunteers played pivotal roles in various aspects of the event including acting as brand ambassadors, managing registrations, ensuring crowd control, coordinating food and beverage arrangements, operating the audio-visual console, accompanying winner interviews and overseeing the virtual and physical stages for the awards. Their hard work, dedication and professionalism were evident throughout the event, contributing significantly to its seamless execution. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for the volunteers to experience live event operations firsthand. They witnessed the meticulous planning and execution required to make an event of this magnitude a success. This hands-on experience offered them a glimpse into the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the hospitality, culinary and tourism industry, expanding their knowledge and preparing them for future endeavors.
The grand atmosphere, coupled with the chance to meet professional entrepreneurs and industry leaders, made the event truly unforgettable for the volunteers. It allowed them to gain deeper insights into the hospitality, culinary and tourism industry, learn about new trends, and forge meaningful connections. Additionally, they relished the opportunity to work alongside their fellow Taylor's student volunteers, creating new friendships and memories. Prior to the event night, other student volunteers were part of the nominations and judging committees who worked tirelessly to support the overall process of the HAPA® Awards Malaysia Series 2023-2024.
The students in the nomination's committee were able to connect with industry players while those in the judging committee assisted in the important process of liaising with judges and ensuring the completion of the judging process for all 14 awards categories which consisted of HAPA® Best Tourism Destinations, HAPA® Best HR & Talent Development in Hospitality, HAPA® Travel & Tour Establishments, HAPA® Best 30 Hotels and Resorts, HAPA® Best 20 Bars, HAPA® Best 30 Chefs, HAPA® Best Cafes, HAPA® Best Service Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism, HAPA® Best 30 Restaurants, HAPA® Elite Entrepreneur of the Year – Icon of Hospitality & Tourism, HAPA® Best F&B Personality, HAPA® Best Hospitality & Tourism Personality, HAPA® Best Service Excellence in F&B and HAPA® Best F&B Entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, HAPA® Awards Malaysia Series 2023-2024 was an outstanding event that celebrated resilience and excellence in the hospitality, culinary and tourism industries. The dedication and hard work of the 40 Taylor's University, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events volunteers, combined with the grand ambiance, exquisite decorations and the opportunity to meet industry leaders, made it an unforgettable experience. The event not only provided valuable insights into the industry, but also fostered new relationships and created lasting memories for all involved.
