After the roller-coaster of 2023, how will we deliver in the face of the challenges and opportunities of 2024?

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What a roller coaster of a year for food service and accommodation! Each year seems to bring its own set of victories and challenges, and 2023 was chock-full of both.

Looking ahead to 2024, the economic and geopolitical challenges on the horizon are profound. Economic headwinds persist thanks to uneven inflation and still-elevated interest rates. For hotels and tourism, last year was one of extraordinary recovery, with new benchmarks set and the story of a nation poised on the brink of a tourism resurgence. For restaurateurs, 2023 saw growth in top-line numbers offset by soaring operational costs and eroding profit margins, creating deep instability for the sector.

The prevailing sentiment is varied amongst leaders but can be best described as "guarded positivity," anticipating a slowdown and another couple of bumpy quarters, hopefully followed by a rebound in the back half of the year. This sentiment leaves hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tourism operators hard at work looking for ways to identify new opportunities on and off-premise, redesigning menus and spaces to improve experiences alongside efficiency, planning their future workforce needs, and investing in AI and tech-enabled tools that deliver personalization and optimization.

For us at JRoss, adapting to changing market conditions has required resilience, adaptability, and a reliance on the relationships that are at the core of our business and continued success. Like you, we strived to achieve our personal and collective goals. We recognize that years from now, the financial results of the 4th quarter of 2023 will fade into the background, but what will endure is the impact we've had on people's lives, the opportunities we've provided in their careers, businesses, and families. People are at the heart of our business, and we take pride in the fact that our team continues to be inspired by the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the leaders in our sectors. These contributors have enriched our lives by cooking delicious food, crafting compelling brand stories, designing extraordinary spaces, organizing events, and elevating the guest and employee experiences on the front lines.

Industry Knowledge and Relationships Matter

We are a team of industry professionals who have collectively built strong networks and place a high degree of value on these relationships. We've successfully assisted both national and global brands to expand their presence in Canada. Together, we've worked tirelessly to help thousands of individuals find meaningful employment and to support outstanding companies to hire exceptional leaders.

We want to take a moment to highlight our team’s dedication and passion for what they do:

Marc Roberts – Vancouver (see Marc’s full profile here)

Superpower – He cares and won’t stop until the job is done…and he is hilarious.

Most Proud of Accomplishment – “I’m proud of joining JRoss at the infancy of the business. I’ve loved contributing to the growth and our good reputation in the market.”

Hot Jobs …

• F&B Manager – Luxury Resort (Haida Gwaii)

• Restaurant Manager – Casual Dining (Vancouver)

Jeremy Atkins - Vancouver (see Jeremy’s full profile here)

Superpower – Raises the bar and makes everyone around him sharper leaders.

What makes you excited to get to your desk every day?  - “Sharing industry stories, presenting great opportunities for candidates, and helping clients find the key players for their organization.”

Hot Jobs …

• Director of Sales – Hotel (Kamloops)

• General Manager – Fine Dining (Whistler)

Janis Romeskie - Calgary (see Janis’ full profile here)

Superpower – Resilience and determination – she will move mountains to get the job done.

The Biggest Obstacles to a Successful Hire – “People who can make the greatest difference are still hard to entice, especially if they’re employed by organizations that recognize their value.”

Hot Jobs …

• Marketing Manager – Resort (Alaska)

• Director of F&B – Resort (Rocky Mountains)

Bobbi Miner-Neal - Toronto (see Bobbi’s full profile here)

Superpower – Her default mode is optimism, and she is so darn likeable.

What Makes Her a Great Recruiter? - She’s a natural networker and an industry connector, and she also considers herself “a bit nosey”, so it’s been a great fit.

Hot Jobs …

• Executive Chef – Fine Dining (Halifax)

• Director of Operations – QSR (GTA North)

Katelyn Querin – Toronto (see Katelyn’s full profile here)

Superpower – Her ability to be still in the middle of a storm – she’s unflappable.

Key To Positive Hiring Outcomes – Valuing momentum in the hiring process. Quick and efficient communication, timely interviews, and a streamlined process.

Hot Jobs …

• Catering Manager – Educational Institute (Mississauga)

• Maître d’Hôtel – Golf Club (Montreal)

If you’d like to see how our team can help you find exceptional and adaptable hospitality leaders, just let us know – we’d be happy to chat.

What really sets us apart is our deep understanding of the industry we serve, our relationships and network, and our ability to align talent to your needs. We are excited about your 2024 hiring plans and look forward to becoming a true partner and catalyst to growth. Reach out for an introductory call to learn about how we can partner with you.

All the best for a successful 2024!

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP

Please contact Ian Milford at 604.268.6202 x1 or send an email to ian.milford@jrossrecruiters.com

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