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Fun boat trip to Lamma Island

HK Alumni Chapter

While in Hong Kong last September Liz Lycette, Stammlady for Australia (Ecole Hotelière de Lausanne Alumni co-ordinator) had the opportunity to meet up with the Hong Kong Alumni Chapter. It is always nice when the Stamm from different Chapters can get together and exchange ideas.

The HK Alumni Chapter organised a boat trip and sailed to Lamma Island. A delicious and authentic seafood dinner was served at “Fu Kee” restaurant.  More than 20 Alumni joined, including 3 stagiaires. Yves Thoma, the Hong Kong Stammvater, hosted a very enjoyable evening along with the help of Mandy Ho, secretary.

For more information on the Stamm in Australia contact Liz Lycette on liz@lycetteandassociates.com

Housekeeping Olympics across the Pacific!

L&A noticed that several housekeeping crews in the US were busy competing in their annual Housekeeping Olympics.

Crews from AmericInn in Wisconsin Rapids, and its sister hotel, Sleep Inn and Suites, also in Wisconsin Rapids, gathered in AmericInn’s parking lot to participate in two events to observe National Housekeeper’s Week.

Read the full article

Housekeeping teams from each of WashDCHotels’ 14 hotels in the DC Metro Area were invited to participate in the 3rd Annual B. F. Saul Company Housekeeping Olympics last Friday, September 17, 2010.

Read the full article

More Housekeeping Olympics around the world

Check out more Housekeeping Olympics, this time from Las Vegas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jWwHJo5S3o

and another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew_ULbvtd0c&NR=1

and in Philippines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcoZHdNa-tI&NR=1

and this one! Funny!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwFo-_KgI0&NR=1

Success for 2nd annual Housekeeping Olympic Games 2010

Last Saturday The Professional Housekeeping Association of NSW (PHAN) organised its 2nd annual Housekeeping Olympics. The event was held at the King George V Recreation Centre in Sydney. The PHAN committee, the judges, the MC and all the volunteers did a tremendous job to make these games even more successful then last year. The president of the PHAN committee Chona Ogilvie welcomed the teams and their supporters and formally opened the Games. She handed the microphone to the MC for the afternoon, Liz Lycette who presented an excellent event.

There were 5 different races the Mop Relay, Toilet Paper Mummy Wrapping, Toilet Paper Throwing, Scrubbing Pad Discuss Throwing and the main event, Bed Making Relay.

The contest was overseen by a panel of judges, Jan Reed, Melissa Roughly, Anju Khanna, Marie Chiron, Michael Jackson, Vikki Jakus and headed by Ariane Lellmann. All are experts in housekeeping operations.

There was cheer leading and trophies for the winning team for each event, including the Best Dressed Team.

The day was sponsored by AH Beard bed makers, Aus Weaving Mills linen suppliers, Accommodation Linen suppliers, Lawrence Dry Cleaners and iPerform

Final results all events

EVENT: MOP RELAY
1st:      Win Wind Wyndham – Wyndham Resort
2nd:    The Incredibles – The Menzies
3rd:     World Tower Bombers – Meriton World Tower

EVENT: TOILET PAPER MUMMY WRAPPING
1st:      Plaza Penguins – Radisson Plaza
2nd:    Let’s Get Physical – Four Seasons Hotel
3rd:     Win Wind Wyndham – Wyndham Resort

EVENT: TOILET PAPER THROWING RELAY
1st:      The Blues, Blue Hotel Sydney
2nd:    Ibis Rocks – Ibis King Street Wharf
3rd:     Mercure Eagles – Mercure Sydney Airport

EVENT: SCRUBBING PAD DISCUS THROWING RELAY EVENT:
1st:      Fraser Team – Fraser Suites
2nd:    The Irresistibles – Mercure Sydney
3rd:     Super Green – Holiday Inn Potts Point

EVENT: BED MAKING RELAY
1st:      Plaza Penguins Radisson Plaza
2nd:    Marriot Magic – Sydney Harbour Marriott
3rd:     World Tower Bombers – Meriton World Tower

The First prize was $800!

EVENT: BEST DRESSED TEAMS
1st: Star City Superstars
2nd: Plaza Penguins Radisson Plaza
3rd: The Irresistibles – Mercure Sydney

The games were closed in the late afternoon with a pledge to return in 2011! A fantastic event, looking forward to next year!

More information about the judges
Ariane Lellmann – Executive Housekeeper , L&A colleague
Melissa Roughley – Academic Liaison Officer, International College of Management, Manly
Vicky Jakus – Executive Housekeeper, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
Anju Khanna – TAFE Lecturer, Teacher of hospitality at TAFE
Jan Read – Lecturer Rooms Division Management, International College of Management, Manly
Marie Chiron – Retired Executive Housekeeper, Retired Housekeeper now in Real Estate
Michael Jackson – Operations Manager, IPerform

RULES OF THE GAMES
Toilet Roll Throwing Relay -  4 in a team
To throw an intact toilet paper roll through a toilet seat positioned on a box 5 metres from the throw line. The most toilet rolls to go through the toilet seat in a one minute period is the winner. Team of 4 with 3 toilet rolls each.

Toilet Paper Mummy wrapping – 2 in a team
To use 1 toilet paper roll completely to wrap one person from head to toe, covering all skin and body. Points awarded for the first to finish, points deducted for each time the toilet paper breaks. Points added for final presentation. Mummy must not move or assist in anyway during the competition.

Mop Relay – 4 in a team
Relay teams to push a dry mop through an obstacle course (wet floor signs)  with 4 team changes, quickest team wins. Points deducted if dry mop leaves the floor surface.

Scrubbing Pad discus throwing relay – 4 in a team
To throw 40 cm scrubbing pads into a wheelie bin 7 metres from the throw line. The most pads in the bin in a 1 minute period will win. Team of 4 to alternate in throwing pads.

Bed making Competition -4 in a team
3 beds per heat, Bed to be made in relay:
1. Mattress protector and bottom sheet (tucked in 4 corners),
2. 2nd sheet and blanket,
3. top sheet
4. 1 pillow in a pillowcase. Judged on final time, process and finished look

Bed making rules
Teams of 4 participants per team
Bed is to be made in relay, with all team members starting off at the starting line.
As soon as one member has completed his/her task they need to run back to the starting line and tap their next member before that one can run to do his/her task
Task sharing as follows
1st member: Mattress protector and 1st sheet (bottom sheet)
2nd member: 2nd sheet and blanket
3rd member: 3rd sheet, fold over and tuck in
4th member: pillow and pillow case and overall presentation
All team members to stand at foot of bed once last contestant has finished, to indicate they are finished as a team.
Points are awarded for each task correctly completed and speed

Bed making Score Card

Best dressed team
Whole hotel team of maximum 18 and minimum of 4A prize for the most original and outstanding team uniforms

For more information about PHAN visit www.phan.org.au

Housekeeping expert speaks at 7 Star Conference

Lycette & Associates was invited to speak at last month’s 7 Star Conference, part of the annual Hotel Show in Dubai. The central themes for this year’s Conference were Design Trends, Technology and the Future, Food & Beverage trends and Marketing and Profitability. Liz Lycette presented to a group of 50 Housekeepers and General Managers on the topic of ‘Staff productivity management in housekeeping’. Traditionally, the Housekeeping Department is one of the largest in a Hotel operation. Housekeeping labour and related costs is one of the biggest expense lines on the Rooms Division P&L. The question was asked: “How financially savvy is your Executive Housekeeper and how well does he or she understand how to look at productivity as a useful and effective tool to save costs?” Liz shared her knowledge of the latest technology and the emergence of innovative materials, all of which have significantly increased housekeeping efficiency and effectiveness. The proven bottom line benefits are clear. For more information on Productivity in Housekeeping contact L&A at info@lycetteandassociates.com.

L&A guest speaker at the 7 Star Conference – The Hotel Show

L&A has been invited to speak at the 7 Star Conference in Dubai this month.

The Seven Star Conference will find place in the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 18 – 20 May and is a part of the annual Hotel Show exhibition, which attracts over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 13,000 visitors over the three days.

The central themes for this year’s Conference are Design Trends, Technology and the Future, Food & Beverage trends and Marketing and Profitability.  The subjects covered are created to encourage delegates to Design, Develop, Discuss and Debate.

The Seven Star Conference in previous years has featured acknowledged industry experts from all over the world and attracted more than 1,000 delegates each year. The conference programme over the three days covers a range of topics such as training staff, food and beverage trends, design, colour and architecture styles and influences for the Gulf Region.

We are delighted to join the 7 Star Conference as a guest speaker. Our segment is scheduled for 20^th May and the topic we are going to cover is: “Staff Productivity Management in Housekeeping”.

Traditionally, the Housekeeping Department is one of the largest in a Hotel operation. Housekeeping labour and related costs is one of the biggest expense lines on the Rooms Division P&L. How financially savvy is the Executive Housekeeper and how well do they understand how to look at productivity as a useful and effective tool to save costs? New technology and innovation in materials have emerged to significantly increase housekeeping efficiency and effectiveness with proven bottom line benefits.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you are attending the Hotel Show, perhaps we can meet up. Email info@lycetteandassociates.com

Blue Mountains Hotel School – Housekeeping Olympics

Liz and Ariane from L&A were delighted to assist the Blue Mountains Hotel School Year 2 Business Degree students, set up and run the Inaugural Housekeeping Olympics on 1st June 2009. Modelled on the PHAN Olympics held in January this year, events included the toilet paper throwing relay, the toilet paper mummy wrapping competition and the famous bed making relay.

The afternoon event was enjoyed by all and the winning team was rewarded with the coveted Golden Toilet Brush award for outstanding performance.

Liz acted as a Green Globe referee for the Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney has been involved with Liz Lycette and L&A for a variety of projects for approximately 8 years. They have proven to be a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry which is why we chose them to be our referee for our EC3 Green Globe Program. With the assistance of Liz Lycette and L&A we were able to achieve our EC3 Green Globe Silver Certification. We look forward to working with Liz in the future.

Regards,
Peter Feran
Hotel Manager
Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

Housekeeping Olympics

In January 2009 Liz was the MC for the inaugural PHAN NSW Housekeeping Olympics. Held on 17th January 2009 at the Recreation Centre, King George Vth Centre in Cumberland Street, the Rocks, Sydney. PDF of Exec Housekeeper Magazine articleThe first ever Housekeeping Olympics were a great success as deemed by all those who attended. With 19 teams competing and over 200 attending the afternoon event, an exciting and competitive spirit was shared by all. With 5 events, several heats were run before a final in each of the events of toilet paper throwing, mop relay, toilet paper mummy wrapping, scrubbing pad discus throwing and the final exciting event, the bed relay. Winning teams were awarded with medals and a trophy, runner ups came away with certificates and ribbons. Special thanks to the judges, officials and helpers. Also thanks go to the suppliers and Hotels who lent equipment. The next Housekeeping Olympics will be held in the winter of 2010 (May/June next year) and with the great success of this event, we hope to attract more hotels and even welcome participation from inter-state!
The judges prepare	Eager spectators
Toilet paper throwing	Mop relay
Blue Hotel Scrubbing pad discus throwing winners	Toilet paper mummy wrapping and channel 9 filming
Winners of the toilet paper mummy wrapping	Scrubbing pad discus throwing
Lucky winners on TV!	The pressure is on, the bed making relay

AEHL Dubai Alumni gathering as Chapter President – October 2008

This 4 day AEHL gathering of alumni from Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne was a great chance to catch up with fellow students and network with 250 alumni who came from all over the world. We also had some terrific opportunities to visit some spectacular hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

After a day for the Alumni Chapter Presidents to discuss the current and future, the main event began on Thursday, October 16th with an intro to Dubai’s premier development company, Nakheel. The group then had a site visit to the newly opened Emaar Hospitality property; The Address, Marc Dardenne who is an EHL graduate of 1981 and CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group, welcomed the participants for lunch. The location offered a breathtaking view of Burj Dubai, the future tallest building in the world.

In the afternoon there was a visit to Sahari Village the Hyatt’s staff village and the evening ended with an amazing Gala Dinner at the Atlantis The Palm.
On Friday, October 17th, events included a visit to the “Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority Experience Centre” and lunch at the Rotana Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi. This was followed by a visit and high tea at the Emirates Palace, the jewel in the Kempinski crown. Built by the Abu Dhabi Government for US$3 billion, this hotel is considered as the most expensive ever built.

In the evening, there was Jumana – Secret of the Desert & Dinner, a spectacular show celebrating the Arabian region’s rich history and culture with over 60 dancers
On Saturday, October 18th, the groups broke into smaller sections and we visited Atlantis with a back of house tour through all the kitchens and including the fish hospital. The event ended with a lovely farewell dinner at the Park Hyatt.

View of Burj Dubai from the address/ Afternoon tea at Abu Dhabi’s Palace Hotel and back of house kitchen tour of Atlantis.