CHART Where You Are!

Happy New Year!  The change of a calendar year invites celebration, reflection, and big plans for the year ahead.  Recently, at the CHART Regional Training Forum (RTF) in Minneapolis, our guest speaker Vikas Narula, Creator and Co-Founder of Keyhubs, spoke on the power of networks on success in change initiatives and influence.  As a result, one of my personal New Year’s resolutions is to be intentional about further expanding my networks, seeking diversity of thought, and synergy in ideas.  2017 is an opportunity to embrace a year of learning and professional development by exchanging big ideas, thought leadership, and best practices.

CHART continues to provide a format for these energizing exchanges, and this year is no exception! 

• The workshop-focused format of the T3 Competencies Conference, now in its 5th year, is a hands-on deep-dive into critical skill and application for hospitality training professionals at every level. In March, the T3 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features competency-based education in four separate tracks. For individuals who have completed competency tracks, this year’s event features a new Capstone offering designed to apply key competencies to a project in progress. There will also be several breakout sessions on hot industry topics
• Our summer Hospitality Training Conference, hosted this July in sunny San Diego, is a resource for best practices, big ideas, and networking. CHART members showcase innovation and problem solving in hospitality training through breakout sessions. Whether participating as a learner or a facilitator, the Hospitality Training Conference offers opportunities for skill advancement for training professionals in our industry. Embracing trends in technology and social media, San Diego promises some surprises from CHART members’ wish lists.

Training teams may be comprised of a mighty team or a department of one. Though alignment and roles in organizational structure vary, serving in a support position, role, or department usually means that there are few experts internally in the organization to draw from. Teams rely on trainers to keep ourselves current with trends, and bring strategy and execution to the table. While conferences are an important way to connect and learn, CHART has expanded educational offerings where we work as well.   

• Attendance at RTFs across the U.S. has been increasing year over year, and the year ahead promises to keep pace. RTF Directors have done amazing work organizing and coordinating open and free RTFs. In addition to national networks, the recent RTF in my home area of Minneapolis attracted over 30 professionals, which offered a great chance to meet local training professionals!
• CHART continues to offer educational webinars every other month, with increasing attendance and viewership.  While this is a valuable learn-at-your-desk tool for our members, it is also good for the CHART brand as these webinars are a go-to resource for learning and idea sharing,
• Ask My Peers is a valuable forum for posing questions and taking advantage of CHART members’ amazing commitment to Learning, Sharing, Growing, and Caring.  I am also challenging myself in 2017 is to use this forum more frequently! CHART members have shared questions, ideas, and suggestions that have been invaluable during major projects and initiatives, and I am committed to paying it forward to share and assist where I can as well. 

Whatever your goals for the year ahead, you are sure to find continued success when you take advantage of CHART where you are!

In service,

Donna

This blog originally appeared as an article in the January 2017 issue of the flipCHART, our member newsletter.