SMX Convention Center in Pasay City is set to amass over a thousand future practitioners in the country’s booming hospitality industry on Jan. 30 for the 6th National Young Hoteliers and Restaurateurs Power Conference (YHRPC).

The half-day event, with the theme “Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present, Shaping the Future,” will orient the attendees from some 50 schools on the current issues and trends in the hospitality business, as well as give them personality development pointers.

“We want our event … to leave a motivational imprint in the minds of every spectator,” said Mia Clamor, assistant production head of the YHRPC, adding they chose the most respected names in the industry to speak before the audience.

Among those who will take the stage is keynote speaker is presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe, who has authored more than 190 measures in her stint in legislature.

Ma. Veritas F. Luna, president of the Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians Inc., will zero in on the “2016 Food Trends for Restaurants.” Luna, former managing director and current education chancellor of CCA Manila, once headed the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the home economics college of the University of the Philippines. A leading figure in the food and nutrition sector, she also authored numerous publications and research, and conducted seminars and workshops on food and nutrition.

Motivational speaker PJ Lanot will explain the “10 Resources for Success.” His portfolio includes hosting TV shows and national events for Unilever, Universal Robina and the Department of Education, and acting for GMA. Apart from that, he is also an entrepreneur who owns Pino Restaurant, Pipino Vegetarian, Breakfast & Pies, The Burger Project, Hillside Café & Juice Bar, and Brgy. Bagnet. He has spoken about leadership, marketing and communications for countless events here and abroad.

Lorena Valerio will talk about an essential how-to in the hospitality industry: “How to Win the Hearts of Your Guests.” A full-time professor at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (DLS-CSB) School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management, Valerio is also a corporate trainer and facilitator who has spoken for food events such as the Manila Food and Beverage Expo and World Food Expo, and tackled human resource management for the People Management Association of the Philippines.

On the list of speakers to discuss “The Power of Image” is 1997 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, considered the go-to resource person for image consultancy. A TV personality and fashion model, De Leon is currently the president of the Association of Image Consultants International-Philippine Chapter. She is the managing director and chief trainer of Personi-fi Image Studio Inc.

Discussing in detail human resource management is Andre Anthony Alip, who packs 30 years of experience in the area for different industries. He is a part-time instructor for DLS-CSB and Lyceum of the Philippines. He also sits as vice president for corporate human resources of China Oceanis Philippines Inc., which owns Manila Ocean Park, and president of the Association of Human Resources Managers in the Hospitality Industry.

“Finding the Beauty of Life” will be by Michael Angelo Lobrin, a sought-after inspirational speaker. Lobrin has talked about spirituality, leadership, human development and financial literacy, among other topics. He authored the best-selling title “Laugh with God Today, Unang Ihip,” which to date has breached 100,000 copies sold. The president of LIFE Enrichment Consultancy, he hosts shows for PTV 4 and GMA News TV and is a brand ambassador for many brands.

Another part of the program is a talk show, “Trailblazer: Inspiring Stories from Today’s Game Changers,” hosted by Vic Alcuaz, chair of Five-Star Media Inc. and a hospitality headhunter, trainer and consultant. He has vast experience in airlines, hotels and media, and has a regular column for Hinge Inquirer’s F&B World and the Inquirer’s Tours, Chow & Leisure–Mabuhay Ka. He spoke at the fourth edition of the event.

In the talk show is Steve Tamayo of Tamayo’s, a leading catering service in the Philippines founded in 1995. Joining him is Roberto Francisco, a chef and trainer for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“It is also our desire to leave an inspiration in our participants through the success stories of our speakers that may ignite a spark,” Clamor said. “[We want to] inspire and empower each and every student through our speakers that no matter how difficult things may get, success is always at the end of a very long and challenging journey.”

Thus, the event lines up activities that not only target industry know-how but also explore character.

The YHRPC is a requirement for the Convention and Events Management and Events Management II course of the Hotel and Restaurant Management program of De La Salle University-Dasmarinas’ College of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Over six years, it has continued to grow from a fledgling program which began in 2010 to a much-awaited conference of hotel and restaurant management students, noted Clamor. “It has gone from hundreds to thousands, and the number of participants is still growing as the event draws near.”

It is only one of many other events organized through the course, a baptism of fire for students in event organization, an important part of the HRM career. Other events include the Cavite Invitational Gourmet Challenge, the LaSallian and Cavite Centerstage events, and the Dare To Move series.

Proceeds from the YHRPC will go the Bahay Pag-asa, a transformation center for children in conflict with the law inside the DLSU-D campus. RC