WA gearing up for this year’s IHHC Conference

HEALTHCARE TODAY: News and views from the Institute of Hospitality in Healthcare Ltd

This issue we hear from the Western Australia sub-branch of the IHHC which has taken on the daunting task of planning for this year’s annual IHHC Conference, to be held in the ‘wildflower state’ this October. IHHC WA sub-branch Chair Carey Bray shares a taste of what’s in store.

WE’RE VERY EXCITED to be hosting the annual IHHC Conference in Perth this year – especially since the WA sub-branch of the IHHC is only four years old. In 2016 we were able to generate enough membership interest and industry support to show that a WA sub-branch was viable, and we’ve grown from there. Once people find out about the IHHC, they soon see the value of participating – it provides great opportunities for networking and further education, and sometimes even job opportunities down the track.

So now our WA sub-branch is firmly established and we have a lot of support from industry workers and suppliers, and with that financial support we’re looking forward to hosting a great conference during a time of transition for the IHHC – our National President John Boland has recently resigned and new President Lisa Cranham and Vice-President Troy Litzow have come on board. This year we’re engaging the services of a professional conference management team – so handing over the reins a little to see what they will do and learning from them.

The venue for the conference will be Crown Perth – right on the Swan river, across from the stadium, with three different tiers of accommodation and plenty of parking. The theme for this year is ‘The Future Landscape, Expertise for Changing Times’ which is an expansive topic so there is plenty to cover. There’s so much happening right now – we need to ask ourselves how we adapt and continue to innovate in health and aged care so we can keep providing the service we do given the changing client and government expectations and reforms following the Royal Commission.

As always we have several site tours on the ‘possibles’ list including Optus Stadium, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital. We’ll be starting the program of events with a meet and greet in the Mt Lawley Bowling Club which has picturesque views of the Swan river and Perth city.

The conference also includes a trade show component and this year we’re planning to introduce a one-day training seminar for foodservice staff. The conference runs three days in total and is predominantly attended by management staff – not many chefs have the time to attend a three day event but a one-day seminar is doable, so we want to incorporate that to broaden the level of interest for attendees.

Naturally we are always keen to encourage industry supporters to lend their financial support to the conference and to participate in the trade show – there will be plenty of decision-makers attending and they are always keen to see the latest product and equipment innovations. Anything that will help with daily work and service for our patients, clients and residents is sure to be of interest. And of course the conference represents a terrific networking opportunity – a chance for industry supporters to meet with decision-makers in health and aged care, find out what they’re looking for and promote products that potentially help us out. Anyone who’s interested can visit www.ihhc.org.au and download our Conference Prospectus to find out more about the different supporter packages that are available.

I should also emphasise that the conference is open to anyone to attend – we really try to cover the full gamut of the health and aged care industry, from catering to procurement and support services such as cleaning and laundry. We’re here to support and showcase the industry and the conference is an important initiative in that regard. We go the extra mile to make sure the content presented at every conference is relevant and topical to attendees – and we’re able to do that because our state committees and national board consists of people who are hands-on in the industry, we’re not sitting in an office somewhere divorced from what’s going on. So we know what people want to see and what problems they’re trying to solve – and the conference presents a great opportunity for everyone to come together and share ideas and insights which can help us all to do our jobs better.

CAREY BRAY
IHHC WA State Chair