BMIHMS recognises industry leaders in global alumni network

For the first time in three years, staff, students, and alumni from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) at Torrens University came together in May 2022 to recognise the rising stars, movers and shakers, and industry leaders from the 7100-strong global alumni network.

The BMIHMS Alumni Awards were hosted by 2009 graduate and Chief Revenue Officer for Fupay, Besty Westcott, and 1993 graduate and current senior lecturer, Tom Frawley.

Jerome Casteigt, Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager, Business and Hospitality at Torrens University Australia, said that the awards recognised the incredible talent in the alumni network.

“Torrens University has a growing alumni network, with around 40,000 people round the world, which is quite impressive given we are a new university. On top of this network sits the BMIHMS network, which has been in place for more than 30 years, and has 7100+ members, located in every corner of the globe.

“Our BMIHMS Alumni network is extremely impressive, with global leaders in the hotel and hospitality industries. The network is also deeply connected to the BMIHMS community - our alumni are highly active in the development of the curriculum, in work placements, and in industry engagement,” Mr Casteigt said.

Award winners working all over the world

Among the award winners were 1994 alumnus David Thompson, CEO and Co-Founder, BookMeBob AI ChatBots for Hotels, New Zealand, who won the Entrepreneurial/Business Success Award, and 2006 alumnus Jessica Markham, Cluster Director of Talent and Culture, Raffles The Palm, Dubai, who was awarded Hotelier of the Year.

“Attending the BMIHMS laid a strong foundation in me and my career... with the opportunity to experience an internship overseas and then the connection of an alumni opening the doors for me to work in Dubai,” said Ms Markham in her acceptance speech.

“Four hotel openings and 16 years later, I feel very grateful that I chose such a dynamic and ever-changing industry for my career.”

During the ceremony, ten BMIHMS alumni were added to the Honour Board, which recognises those graduates who, for over 20 years, have attained major career achievements and industry recognition and have also been outstanding supporters and advocates for BMIHMS.

Opportunity ahead for BMIHMS and the industry

Mr Casteigt said as the hotel and hospitality industry started to rebound post-COVID, the focus was on supporting the ongoing growth and development of the school and the industry.

“Throughout COVID, our students were able to continue their studies online and even complete industry placements, and that happened thanks to the support of our alumni network and industry partners.

“We also supported industry, by offering free short courses and scholarships to alumni and industry, and it’s been a pleasure to see alumni upskilling and taking up these opportunities,” he said.

“Since the start of 2022, we have been welcoming students back to our BMIHMS campuses in Leura (the Blue Mountains), Melbourne, Adelaide, and our new campus in Surry Hills, Sydney. We see lots of opportunities for our students and the industry and we are excited to be a part of it as we continue to cement ourselves as industry’s university.”

Blue Mountains Alumni Awards