If you think that hospitality is a male-dominated industry, think again. Women actually make up more than 60% of the total workforce in the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors. But although more women are climbing the career ladder nowadays, most senior roles are still filled by men, and women's overall contribution to the success of these industries can get overlooked.
That's where the Shine Awards 2006 come in. Now in their second year, the awards are all about celebrating outstanding achievement by women working in hospitality, travel and tourism. They aim to recognise women who are doing a fantastic job, and to promote best practice and encourage women to make their careers in the industry.
There are six categories in all, including Business Woman of the Year, Business Expert of the Year and the special Shine Woman of the Year award. Entries are judged by a panel of industry experts, and winners will be announced early next year.
Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, is one of the judges for the 2006 awards. "We really need women's talents and skills in tourism and hospitality," he explains. "The Shine Awards not only publicly honour achievement, they also draw attention to the many real opportunities that exist today for women in the industry."
Last year's Public Sector Woman of the Year award was won by Sandie Dawe, communication and strategy director at VisitBritain, who is also on the judging panel for the 2006 awards. "There are huge opportunities for women to make careers in tourism and hospitality, but sometimes that message doesn't get through," Dawe says. "The Shine Awards go towards inspiring and motivating women to succeed in the industry, as well as honouring those who are doing a truly great job."
She adds that the awards are not just for women working in senior positions. "There are lots of women who do amazing things every day, like motivating their staff or being a brilliant role-model. We want to hear about them," she says. "After all, if you don't nominate somebody, they can't win."
Gillian Chapple, 24, was the winner of last year's Young Achiever of the Year award, scooping the prize for her success with online accommodation booking website Bedsearcher, which she set up three years ago after leaving university. She describes winning as a real career highlight. "On a personal level, it has been brilliantly rewarding to be recognised for what you do," she says. "And it's also been fantastic on a business level, too. As a growing company, it really puts you in the public eye."
If you have somebody in mind who you think deserves a Shine award (or to nominate yourself), all you have to do is visit www.shineawards.com to download a nomination form or to e-mail details of your nomination.
The closing dates for nominations is Friday 23 December 2005. Winners will be announced next year, with the 2006 Shine Awards ceremony to be held in London at the Carlton Tower hotel on 28 February 2006.
Awards categories
Business Woman of the Year Award
This award is open to women who are employees of enterprises in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors who have made a significant contribution to the success of their organisation. It is open to employees of both public and privately owned companies.
Business Owner of the Year Award
This recognises women who have set up their own business, or who have a 50% minimum share with responsibility for key decision-making. They should have been operating for at least 12 months. We are looking for individuals who have taken the risk to start their own business and are making a success of running it.
Young Achiever of the Year Award
This award is open to women who have done something incredible, inspirational or who are simply the best at what they do. They can be either employees or business owners but they must have been under 30 years of age on 9 September 2005.
Public Sector Woman of the Year Award
This category celebrates women with executive or non-executive roles in government departments or agencies, not-for-profit organisations and NGOs, who have made and are making a significant contribution to the success of their organisation.
Business Expert of the Year Award
This award is open to women whose activities are related to hospitality, travel and tourism in some way - for example marketing, IT, legal, journalism or accountancy. We are looking for women who, through their expertise, have contributed greatly to the growth and advancement of the industry and to the company they work for.
The Shine Women of the Year Award
This is a special overall award that recognises one woman's inspirational or business-led role in the hospitality, travel or tourism industry, who can also demonstrate a high level of personal commitment to developing an environment for the promotion and advancement of women.
The 2006 Judging Panel
- Bob Cotton Chief executive, British Hospitality Association
- Sandie Dawe Communication and strategy director, VisitBritain
- Sue Finch Chief executive, Tourism Society
- Karen Gill Founder, Everywoman
- Chris Lee Relationship director, travel division, Barclays Bank
- Ian Reynolds Former chief executive officer, ABTA
- Jacqueline Steadman Chair, Association of Women Travel Executives
The shine Awards
Set up in 2004 by coaching and mentoring firm Shine People and Places, with the support of Travel Trade Gazette magazine and recruitment specialist Harp Wallen, the awards celebrate the achievements of women working in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.