UNIQUELY YOUTH-FOCUSED SEGMENT LAUNCHED BY HOSPITALITY BODY FEDHASA CAPE

The Directors of FEDHASA Cape are delighted to announce an innovative industry first.  Following unanimous membership approval at a recent Special Meeting, an amendment to the FEDHASA Cape Articles of Association has enabled the incorporation of a fifth segment, FEDHASA Youth.

In a bid to address the unique future leaders of industry within the Hospitality sector, in addition networking and industry information sessions are but two of the benefits that FEDHASA Youth members can look forward to. 

FEDHASA Youth memberships will be accepted from:

• 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd-year Hospitality students;
• Hospitality school graduates who graduated within the preceding three years; and
• Employees working in industry with no prior hospitality-specific tertiary education, with between one and three years experience in industry.

FEDHASA (the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa) is the long-standing Hospitality industry umbrella association (i.e. accommodation & catering - eat, drink & sleep), FEDHASA Cape represents members based in Western Cape and Northern Cape.  FEDHASA is very much involved in the broader tourism industry, not least through strategic alignment with associated tourism and hospitality partners, national and provincial tourism departments. 
 

FEDHASA Youth annual membership if paid upfront is a highly affordable R315.00.  Alternatively, the R35.00 per month debit order option allows members to pay off their membership on a monthly basis.  The 2009 / 10 FEDHASA Youth membership is effective from 1 May 2009 until 28 February 2010. 

"We wanted to ensure minimal barriers to entry for new entrants to the hospitality industry," says FEDHASA Cape Chairperson Phillip Couvaras, who explains that the organization is "very serious minded" about increasing its reach to the youth market in a bid to attract their buy-in from an early stage to allow the transfer of skills and experience from our current successful entrepreneurs to a new up and coming generation. 

Current members of FEDHASA Cape's hotel, small accommodation, restaurant, and allied segments are encouraged to support eligible employees' membership application to FEDHASA Youth.  Alternatively, members may wish to consider sponsoring eligible employees.

Initial FEDHASA Youth presentations - at no cost - have rolled out as follows:

• Presentation to Private Hotel School: Venue - JS Gericke Library, Stellenbosch University Campus - Tuesday 28 April (10am-12pm)
• Presentation to International Hotel School: Venue - Sable Square Outlet Shopping Village (Block B), 142 Democracy Way, Milnerton - Wednesday 29 April (11.30-1pm)
• Presentation to Granger Bay Hotel School: date to be confirmed

The full list of FEDHASA Youth benefits are:

• Networking opportunities and attending of seminars and industry information sessions with other FEDHASA members
• FEDHASA Youth segment meetings and networking events
• FEDHASA Youth specific page on the FEDHASA website
• FEDHASA Youth Newsletter
• Complimentary bi-monthly copy of Hospitality Magazine
• FEDHASA Cape Membership Card

FEDHASA Youth has been incorporated as a fifth segment of FEDHASA Cape, following an adoption of their Articles of Association.  Following the signing up of members for this segment, a FEDHASA Youth representative will be nominated to serve on the FEDHASA Cape Board on Thursday 4 June at FEDHASA Cape's Annual General Meeting.

Phillip Couvaras went on further to add that " The FEDHASA Board is not only committed to change its profile to be more representative, but  the Board has taken significant action that will open up opportunities to all to develop and make a meaningful difference to the Hospitality Industry in the Western Cape".

To contact or learn more about FEDHASA Cape, visit http://www.fedhasacape.co.za/, which is also where the FEDHASA Youth application form can be viewed.