Bonding is our objective; networking is our goal
HPMF Core Committee
“Today, HPMF is entirely a ‘business family organization’. The growth of moving from one city to multiple cities and now internationally, has offered confidence and strength to the managers, suppliers and attributed a lot of value in the business transactions. The confidence that has come about through networking, learning and education has taken the Forum to greater heights. Looking back on the journey, reaching here was not easy. Accessing people and making them identify with HPMF was challenging, especially when it is not a trade body.
“HPMF decided to break the ice and started reaching people by organizing panel discussions, participating in trade exhibitions, fairs and seminars. Slowly the crowd started trickling in. The first level, second level and third level managers started to open up and participate in panel discussions
“HPMF took a defining step by developing level two executives and assistant managers, in four star hotels in tier II and tier III cities especially in places like Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bhubaneswar and Indore. These managers, though they have a substantial role to play in the organisations do not have HODs and so are in need for guidance and direction. HPMF inputs a lot of knowledge in terms of vendor database, new products, innovations, new technology and changes in government notifications. This helps them grow.
Anchor Jaideep Gupta
“The sixth-year convention theme was ‘Be together; We can and We will’. The invitees were from 12 cities and each of the purchase managers took part in the activities, including panel discussions, presentations and B2B meetings. The meet has enabled them to connect outside their familiar circles and encouraging a sense of togetherness and progressiveness. There is a huge take back for each of the participants from the event.
“Also, HPMF has tied up with CHPM-Certified Hospitality Purchasing Manager for a certificate program through American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute. The online exam is scheduled shortly and certificates will be given to those who get merit ranking post results in January.
“The technically sound syllabus will include detailing, technicality, methodology of hospitality procurement, which only some of us have heard about. Procurement practices today are more based on either the learnings passed on to us from the previous batches or through our own understanding. This program will enable technical procurement which is teaches processes and procedures to be followed instead of understanding and gut feeling and that is going to help us all. In the larger sense, this will help the industry in making new leaders and responsible buyers in organizations. Above all, CHPM has introduced this certificate program for the first time in the world and Indians are the first people to get certified. This will add value in the managers’ resumes, gain respect in the industry and put them procurement officials on a high pedestal among the international purchasing managers.
“Bonding is my objective, networking is my goal for HPMF. Make friendships, make certain resolution for yourselves and next year we come back better than what we were,” concludes Nitin Nagrale.
