Attending the Blackpool and Fylde College Awards

One of the parts about my job I love the most is getting to know the individuals who work in the industry. I love going to a venue and knowing the staff who work on the front line – not just the management team. A good start for meeting these people is whilst they are still studying and last night I was proud to attend the Blackpool and the Fylde College School of Tourism’s Higher Education Achievement Awards at the Dunes Conference Centre, St Annes.

With an Oscars theme and a cast of 500 it was never going to be a quiet night – but boy did those students make an effort. As each category award winner was announced their colleagues whooped and screamed so loudly I wish I had taken some ear plugs. Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board are proud to sponsor the Skills for Tourism award and this year’s winner was Claire Fothergill who has just completed a City and Guilds Advanced National Diploma in Travel and Tourism.

With Staycation being the buzz word for the summer I hope that Lancashire manages to capture many of these students to work in the industry and if they display as much enthusiasm in the workplace as they did at the awards last night then Lancashire will be THE tourism destination to work.

Don’t forget that for those of you wanting to recognise your own achievers the LETS awards will be launched on August 3rd so start to prepare your nominations now.

Diane Blakemore