In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Allyson McKimm, events director of Hastings Hotels. She oversees the strategic direction of the events departments in the group’s seven hotels and is also responsible for the creation and management of the extensive calendar of in-house events including Polar Express and its famous Christmas party nights, dinner shows with A-list artists and other events including conferences and exhibitions.
To take part in the High Flyers Q&A, get in touch via business@irishnews.com.
What was your first job?
I was PA to a director at a public relations consultancy in London.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a degree in business studies and languages, a BA (hons) in hospitality management and I’m currently finishing a masters degree at University of Ulster in international event management.
What do you attribute your success to?
Drive and ambition and a strong work ethic, tenacity and hard work, the challenge of the completion of a project, optimism, particularly in the current climate post Covid-19. I enjoy the process of an event creation to its successful completion and the generation of new business opportunities. An example of this is the series of Van Morrison dinner shows which we have hosted throughout the hotels which entices international guests to enjoy the shows and the hospitality of Northern Ireland.
Who do you look up to in business?
My late father, Sir William Hastings. He built up the business of Hastings Hotels from a bar business on the Newtownards Road in Belfast over 50 years ago and managed to survive in business throughout the Troubles. He transformed the Europa Hotel, famous for being the most bombed hotel in Europe, to the most successful hotel in the Hastings Hotels group today. He was an entrepreneur with vision and would always have a positive outlook and would be optimistic about the future of Northern Ireland.
What website or app could you not live without?
Apps I use every day would be Sky News, New York Times, my bank app, Amazon Music, Tunein Radio and Candy Crush.
What was the last book you read?
I am currently completing a dissertation for the masters degree on the impact of Covid-19 on the events industry, so the last book was Collaborative Crisis Management – Inter-Organizational Approaches to Extreme Events.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I have had the opportunity to meet lots of interesting famous people who have passed through the hotels throughout the years from royalty, heads of state and well-known A-listers including Michael Douglas, Lady Gaga and even the Diet Coke man!
How would you describe yourself to someone who'd never met you?
Organised, methodical and determined.
How do you get the best out of the people who work for you?
Listening, motivating, understanding and putting myself in their shoes.
If you could change one thing about business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
Less politics and policies and more action.
What car do you drive?
Mercedes GLC SUV.
What's your greatest passion outside work and family?
I’m a keen traveller and have been lucky to visit some incredible off the beaten-track places including Slovenia, Panama and Colditz Castle.
