Every day is a chance to do something better than yesterday
By Cherry Cao |
March 28, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AT one time James Macadie thought it would be great to become a food and beverage director at a five-star hotel. And he managed to meet that goal, but that was about 15 years ago. Now with nearly three decades in the hospitality industry and after being at the helm of several five-star hotels, the British native says he feels very happy about what he's achieved and considers his newest assignment an exciting job.
After spending more than two years with Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao, which opened in 2000 as the city's first Marriott International property, Macadie is now the general manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East, the company's 20th and newest property in Shanghai.
"At Hongqiao it (being the general manager) is mainly about maintaining the quality of service they are offering as the hotel is very well established in the market but (being the general manager of) Jinqiao is very different," Macadie says, referring to the 323-room hotel that opened in January. "In the first two years of operation, our challenge is to build awareness of this hotel though we have the global presence of Marriott behind us, which is very helpful."
The 23-year Marriott veteran is off to a great start with his first hotel opening. Occupancy levels at the new hotel just exceeded 90 percent in its second full month of operation.
"Our MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) business has been very strong from day one and that is the sector of our business we really want to go off," says the general manager, whose career has taken him to Switzerland, UK, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. "We have a good location and a good room and catering balance, making us well suited to get into MICE."
Located in Jinqiao, Pudong, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East is near Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Jinqiao Export Processing Zone and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park. These areas are home to the China headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies. It is only a five-minute drive from the Shanghai New International Expo Center, a popular venue for trade shows and exhibitions in eastern China.
The hotel's four restaurants and lounges, 650-square-meter grand ballroom and an additional 1,050 square meters of event space have it well placed for a strong MICE business.
MICE aside, Macadie is also keen to attract business from the neighboring community, in this case the Green City area in Jinqiao that has a nice mix of foreigners and locals.
"The local community is our strong partner and we have to reach out to make them aware of our restaurants, lounges, fitness facilities, etc," he says. "Making a good first impression is very important when you start off a new hotel. You have to build that trust very early because once they receive the service, they are going to spread the word and you know how strong the word of mouth is in Shanghai."
Exciting and challenging, one of the other good things about opening a new hotel, for Macadie, is more involvement in the initial hiring of the team.
"You need the right personality in the hospitality business though it is not easy in Shanghai because of the high demand for skilled hotel personnel," Macadie says. "For me, a positive attitude makes a big difference and training is something that can be gained afterwards."
Starting his career in London with InterContinental in 1984, Macadie says he enjoys the job very much as it allows him to travel frequently and meet people from around the world with different backgrounds. But the job is demanding as well.
"As a general manager, we know that every day is a day for improvement and every day is an opportunity to do something better than yesterday," he says. "Our customers are changing every day and their expectations are very different. It is important to keep up with the times and understand the young travelers of today."
A family man with two young boys, Macadie loves cooking, running, riding bicycles and working out at the gym. After finishing a half marathon two years ago, he plans to take part in the upcoming Jinqiao 8K run, a community-level race that started 12 years ago and has evolved into a major sporting event in Shanghai.
Best Deals
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East offers an Easter Package of one-night stay at the Deluxe Room with complimentary breakfast and dinner for two only from 2,380 yuan (US$383) plus 15 percent service charge.
Favorite Dish
As the GM's favorite Italian dish, Ossobuco stands out as a signature dish from Casalingo. The origins of the dish can be traced back to Milan. It consists of a cross-cut veal shank, braised with white wine, vegetables and herbs. Traditionally served with risotto "alla Milanese" (saffron) and perfumed with gremolata (chopped parsley, sage, garlic, rosemary, lemon zest).
2012 – present
General manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East
2010 – 2012
General manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao
2008 – 2010
General manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
After spending more than two years with Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao, which opened in 2000 as the city's first Marriott International property, Macadie is now the general manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East, the company's 20th and newest property in Shanghai.
"At Hongqiao it (being the general manager) is mainly about maintaining the quality of service they are offering as the hotel is very well established in the market but (being the general manager of) Jinqiao is very different," Macadie says, referring to the 323-room hotel that opened in January. "In the first two years of operation, our challenge is to build awareness of this hotel though we have the global presence of Marriott behind us, which is very helpful."
The 23-year Marriott veteran is off to a great start with his first hotel opening. Occupancy levels at the new hotel just exceeded 90 percent in its second full month of operation.
"Our MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) business has been very strong from day one and that is the sector of our business we really want to go off," says the general manager, whose career has taken him to Switzerland, UK, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. "We have a good location and a good room and catering balance, making us well suited to get into MICE."
Located in Jinqiao, Pudong, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East is near Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Jinqiao Export Processing Zone and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park. These areas are home to the China headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies. It is only a five-minute drive from the Shanghai New International Expo Center, a popular venue for trade shows and exhibitions in eastern China.
The hotel's four restaurants and lounges, 650-square-meter grand ballroom and an additional 1,050 square meters of event space have it well placed for a strong MICE business.
MICE aside, Macadie is also keen to attract business from the neighboring community, in this case the Green City area in Jinqiao that has a nice mix of foreigners and locals.
"The local community is our strong partner and we have to reach out to make them aware of our restaurants, lounges, fitness facilities, etc," he says. "Making a good first impression is very important when you start off a new hotel. You have to build that trust very early because once they receive the service, they are going to spread the word and you know how strong the word of mouth is in Shanghai."
Exciting and challenging, one of the other good things about opening a new hotel, for Macadie, is more involvement in the initial hiring of the team.
"You need the right personality in the hospitality business though it is not easy in Shanghai because of the high demand for skilled hotel personnel," Macadie says. "For me, a positive attitude makes a big difference and training is something that can be gained afterwards."
Starting his career in London with InterContinental in 1984, Macadie says he enjoys the job very much as it allows him to travel frequently and meet people from around the world with different backgrounds. But the job is demanding as well.
"As a general manager, we know that every day is a day for improvement and every day is an opportunity to do something better than yesterday," he says. "Our customers are changing every day and their expectations are very different. It is important to keep up with the times and understand the young travelers of today."
A family man with two young boys, Macadie loves cooking, running, riding bicycles and working out at the gym. After finishing a half marathon two years ago, he plans to take part in the upcoming Jinqiao 8K run, a community-level race that started 12 years ago and has evolved into a major sporting event in Shanghai.
Best Deals
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East offers an Easter Package of one-night stay at the Deluxe Room with complimentary breakfast and dinner for two only from 2,380 yuan (US$383) plus 15 percent service charge.
Favorite Dish
As the GM's favorite Italian dish, Ossobuco stands out as a signature dish from Casalingo. The origins of the dish can be traced back to Milan. It consists of a cross-cut veal shank, braised with white wine, vegetables and herbs. Traditionally served with risotto "alla Milanese" (saffron) and perfumed with gremolata (chopped parsley, sage, garlic, rosemary, lemon zest).
2012 – present
General manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East
2010 – 2012
General manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao
2008 – 2010
General manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
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