PIHMS Grad Named Young Hotel Manager of the Year - March 2009

Ben Schumacher, who graduated from PIHMS with a Degree in Applied Hospitality and Tourism in December 2004, is currently Front Desk Manager at the Hilton Auckland.  He is also Vice-President of ARDENZ, the Association of Rooms Division Executives New Zealand.

25 year old Ben has spent his whole career thus far with the Hilton chain, starting with an industry placement as a Concierge Guest Services Agent at the Hilton International Hotel in Adelaide in Australia.  On graduation, he was employed as a Receptionist at the Hilton Auckland.  After just three months, he was promoted to a supervisory role and within a year of his employment, he was Front Office Assistant Manager.  He also spent six months as Reservations Manager. 

Ben Shumacher is a self confessed people person which probably explains his success in the hospitality industry. 

"Without a doubt the most challenging part of the job is dealing with people and the most satisfying part of the job is dealing with people," says Ben.

While Ben has always been very focused on his career, he also believes in developing his team.  He says his own development will stem from their progression.  “I take no greater pride than in seeing those I have inspired or motivated reach their goals or ambitions.’

Ben intends to stay with the Hilton chain.  He would love to be part of a “Pre Open” for Hilton as he believes the opportunity to introduce your own procedures and properties in a  new property would be very satisfying.  While at PIHMS, Ben’s ultimate goal was to become a General Manager but now he is shooting higher with ambitions to one day attain a regional role such as Australasian Regional Vice President.

The Young Hotel and/or Catering Manager of the Year Awards is organised by the Institute of Hospitality to encourage the highest professional standards of management and education in the international hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. It seeks to recognise young managers who have shown commitment to the industry through professional development and leadership.  The prize for the winner is $2000 to be spent on professional development.

PIHMS is very proud of Ben Schumacher’s success.  PIHMS Principal, Flora Gilkison says it is wonderful to see one of our graduates, who has been promoted to a leadership position at a young age by their employer, recognised nationally.

She says many PIHMS graduates are attaining top management positions in hotels in New Zealand and overseas at a relatively young age. 

“There are several who have even attained General Manger roles in hotels while in their twenties.  While it is still true of the hospitality industry that employees generally work their way up the career ladder from the bottom, having a PIHMS qualification allows many graduates to climb the ladder quite speedily.”