Just a few short months ago, McGillicuddy Hospitality set out on an incredible journey. 

Our mission? 

To shape the future of hospitality training for leadership. With hospitality training events spanning from the buzzing streets of Los Angeles to the serene beauty of Cape Town, we brought together leaders from across the globe to learn, grow, and ultimately transform their teams and businesses. 

But this wasn’t just about ticking boxes; it was about creating lasting, meaningful change in the world of hospitality, where strong leadership can make all the difference.

Why This Matters

At McGillicuddy, we believe leadership is more than just a title – it’s about inspiring others to reach new heights. 

In the world of hospitality, leaders don’t just manage. They create memorable experiences for guests and empower their teams to shine. Last year, we worked hand-in-hand with hospitality leaders in cities from Oslo to Manila, and on ships from Hawaii to Yokohama, and from Alaska to Antarctica, helping them deliver service that wasn’t just good but exceptional. 

We know that great leadership is the backbone of great service, and when leaders thrive, everyone benefits – from the team members on the ground to the guests they serve.

The Challenge

Leadership in hospitality is no easy feat. 

Every day, leaders juggle countless priorities: keeping guests happy, motivating their teams, and ensuring operations run smoothly. Throw in cultural differences, local challenges, and ever-evolving guest expectations, and the task can feel daunting. 

But the core challenge? 

Regardless of location, the need for strong, well-trained leaders is universal. 

McGillicuddy’s challenge was to create a leadership training program that was both universally excellent and locally relevant. A program that empowered leaders everywhere, from the heart of New York to the shores of Cape Town, while taking into account the unique needs of each region.

The Solution

Last year, we embraced this challenge head-on, delivering 24 leadership development events across the world. 

The goal? To equip 1,416 hospitality leaders with practical tools and insights that they could use right away to improve guest experiences and team dynamics. 

We spent a combined 752 hours training leaders through coaching, workshops, and hands-on activities designed to tackle the real-world problems they face every day. From improving communication to refining problem-solving skills, every session was about making a tangible difference.

Each program was tailored to the local context, recognising that the challenges faced in bustling Yokohama might look different from those in picturesque Oslo. But the essence remained the same – helping leaders connect, engage, and lead with confidence, no matter where they were.

The Results

The impact? Remarkable. 

Here’s how we saw it unfold:

• A new wave of leaders emerged, ready to face the fast-paced, ever-changing world of hospitality with fresh perspectives and practical skills.
  
• Consistency across borders meant that no matter where our leaders were based, they had the same high standards to aspire to, aligning their efforts to create a more cohesive experience for guests.
  
• We saw stronger guest experiences, smoother operations, and an uptick in team engagement because when leaders are confident, their teams feel supported and motivated.
  
• Most importantly, we heard positive feedback from trainees, partners, and businesses. Stories of how the training helped transform not just operations but the very culture of leadership within their teams.
  

The results spoke for themselves: Leaders were better equipped to manage the complex needs of the hospitality world, and businesses saw the fruits of their labour in the form of improved guest satisfaction and smoother daily operations.

Lessons & What’s Next

What we learned in 12 months is this: Leadership in hospitality isn’t just a “nice-to-have” – it’s essential to creating an environment where both guests and teams can thrive. 

As we look ahead, we know that the future of leadership training must be adaptable, global, and deeply personalised to the unique challenges and opportunities that each region faces.

At McGillicuddy Hospitality, we’re committed to continuing this journey, shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders one training session at a time. 

And now, as we move through 2025, we’re excited to expand our reach even further, refining our programs to ensure they remain as impactful and relevant as ever.

Want to develop your team into world-class leaders? Let’s talk.