EuroCHRIE University Challenge 2020 has begun!

Once again, Russell Partnership Technology are pleased to be delivering the challenge in partnership with EuroCHRIE. We are pleased to welcome back teams from schools who have participated previously: Strathmore University (Kenya) – last year’s winner, Stenden Hotel Management School (South Africa), Stenden Hotel Management School (The Netherlands), Budapest Business School (Hungary), Modul University (Austria), The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (UAE), and the University College of Northern Denmark along with two new schools: FHWien der WKW (Austria) and Cph Business Academy (Denmark).

The teams, comprised of four students and one instructor, will compete in the Simulation Challenge in a competitive set of nine (with one hotel operated by each school). Each week they will deploy strategic decisions to advance the position of their hotels in the competitive set, with a focus on Market Performance, Financials, Guest Satisfaction, and Associate Engagement. The winning team will be the team with the best overall balanced scorecard at the end of the four-week competition.

As they compete, the students will also be completing their Certification in Hotel Business Acumen via on-line learning modules, supplemented by weekly web conferences.

It will undoubtedly be a terrific competition and, following two detailed orientation sessions over the past two weeks, the teams are all excited to get underway – best of luck to all!

About EuroCHRIE University Challenge 2020

Students experience the same professional level management training utilised to build business acumen skills among lodging professionals across the globe. In doing so, they consolidate the various elements of their studies, blend them with e-learning lessons, and apply them in a world-class, real-time competition with other school teams.

Each participating student will receive a certificate in Hotel Business Acumen, demonstrating the successful completion of an advanced application of their studies. The HBA program is designed by Russell Partnership Technology and is available for universities and schools to deliver with their students.

These certificates are given favourable recognition by recruiters.

In addition, each student member of the winning team will receive an award valued at €125 and their Instructor will receive €400 towards EuroCHRIE 2020 travel and accommodation expenses.

List of 2020 participants:

• Budapest Business School
• Cph Business (Denmark)
• FHWien der WKW (Vienna)
• Modul University
• Stenden Hotel Management School (The Netherlands)
• Stenden Hotel Management School (South Africa)
• Strathmore University
• The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
• University College of Northern Denmark

The Schedule

The simulation competition will be held during the weeks beginning:

• 17th February 2020
• 24th February 2020
• 9th March 2020
• 16th March 2020
• 23rd March 2020
• 30th March 2020

Each week there will be a mandatory one-hour web conference on Wednesday.

Please note that there will be a gap week during the week of 2nd March 2020.

The Format

In each of the weeks, students will complete:

• A 60-minute e-learning lesson in lodging acumen
• A 60-minute web conference with the online coach
• A 60-minute decision meeting to determine and enter the strategy and tactics for the next business quarter of their hotel.

Each team of 4 students and 1 instructor will be supported by an online industry coach through the utilisation of e-learning, web conference, and email.

The simulation competition features one of the world’s leading lodging simulations, REVsim, which is developed by Russell Partnership Technology. The program is heralded by thousands of hotel professionals around the globe.

The simulation competition is an application of learning that builds on business skills and mindset to deliver an enhanced level of understanding and strategic thinking. Student teams operate their hotels in real-time and in direct competition with other teams – there is no artificial intelligence. All outcomes are the result of the decisions made by the hotels competing in a dynamic market.

There is a 50-question online exam at the end of the Challenge to confirm certification level learning.

Winning the Challenge

The “big win” is an opportunity for each participating student to add an extra level to their education, one that integrates course learning, and one that illuminates the business realities that lie ahead. And all of this…documented with a certification.

The team “win” goes to the hotel that produces the best Balanced Scorecard, providing leading ratings in market performance, profit, return on equity, guest loyalty, and staff performance.

How to Register for 2021

The annual EuroCHRIE University Challenge is offered to teams of students from member colleges and universities.

Registration is easy and is offered on a first-come basis. It is completed by the teams’ Instructor/Coach and team member names can be added later. Simply email your name and school name and we will be in contact to answer your questions and complete the registration. Please contact Heidi Anaya, Head of Education, at: heidi.anaya@russellpartnership.com

Please note: Institutions are required to be either institutional or premium members of EuroCHRIE

https://www.russellpartnership.com/