Yasemin Oruc, MSc. MBA
HotelSchool The Hague
[email protected]

EuroCHRIE President’s Message

Dear EuroCHRIE Community,

It is with immense gratitude, joy, and a strong sense of responsibility that I begin my term as President of EuroCHRIE. To serve this inspiring community of educators, researchers, professionals, and students is a true honour — especially at a moment when hospitality is evolving, and so is our region as we transition into EMEA CHRIE.

This is a continuation of what has already been beautifully built – not ‘just a new wind’.

I write to you as a member of this special global community — not only as your President for the 2025–2026 year, also as someone who continues to learn, reflect, and grow through the things we do together.

The privilege of serving this region — at a time when EuroCHRIE is evolving into EMEA CHRIE — is one I do not take lightly. This moment calls for listening deeply, leading kindly, and holding space for both continuity and creativity.

We as federation are all connected by a shared purpose: to elevate hospitality education and research, to make sense of a changing world, and to offer meaningful learning experiences. And while the challenges are real — from shifting industry dynamics to the transformation of education — I believe this community has what it takes to not only adapt, but to shine. Let me take a moment to remind ourselves that we stand on the strong shoulders of those before us. Their contributions have laid a strong, steady foundation — one that continues to inspire and guide us today. We continue a journey of growth, grounded in what has already been beautifully built.with gratitude to Immediate Past President Florian Aubke, whose clarity and commitment have been a compass for our region, and to Steven Rhoden, a pillar of wisdom and action.

Welcoming Our 2025-2026 Board - I wish to warmly welcome our new board members:

• Heidi Anaya, Vice President
• Ariane Lengyel, Secretary
• Maroun Aouad, Director of Conferences & Networking
• Georges Ubbelohde, Director of Industrial Relations
• H. Kader Sanhoz-Ozgen, Director of Membership

And extend my gratitude to our continuing team:
Florian Aubke, Ivan Ninov, Kateryna Fedosova, Cindy Heo, Amanda Miller, Ed Kastli, and our valuable area consultants.

Also, I wish to sincerely thank the board members who have recently stepped down:

• Steven Rhoden, Immediate Past President — for his unwavering wisdom and action-oriented leadership
• Heidi Anaya, former Director of Membership — for her endless support, ‘always ready to think in solutions’ approach and now continuing as our new Vice President
• Anne Conneally, Secretary — for her service and dedication on the board during the past years
• Frédéric Bouchon, Director of Conferences — for his generosity in shaping meaningful, impactful conference support and realization

Each of you has left a mark — thank you for supporting us all to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

Three guiding wishes - As we begin this 2025-2026 chapter, I hold close three guiding wishes that will shape my presidency and our collective direction:

1. Kind Intentions – bringing empathy and clarity to all that we do
2. Caring Connection – as the heartbeat of what we do
3. Disseminate Knowledge –so knowledge can spark, spread, and shine

This is a community where everyone should feel welcome to contribute, to be seen, and to sparkle.

We are not only educators — we are experience designers. In a world that is complex and shifting, we remain grounded in the values of hospitality and the power of transformative learning.

Two Legacy Initiatives - This year, two legacies will shape my focus and support our shared work:

1. The EMEA CHRIE Knowledge & Innovation Platform – A house already framed — now ready to become a home. Let’s furnish it with your research, stories, insights, and contributions.
2. The Kindness & Leadership in Hospitality Initiative – A collaborative space where we explore what it means to lead with values, regenerate our practices, and preserve knowledge meaningfully. Exploring how we can regenerate the federation through inclusive, mindful leadership and the preservation of wisdom.

Taking a moment to look back and forward - This past year brought unforgettable moments — from the truly heartfelt EuroCHRIE 2024 in Doha, so graciously hosted by Ivan Ninov and Al Rayyan University to the warm spirit of ICHRIE 2025 in Indianapolis, where hospitality lived in every handshake and conversation.

And we now look forward to EuroCHRIE 2025, hosted by Hotelschool The Hague, where we will welcome you all with open arms. It will be a gathering of minds and hearts, with hospitality at its core.

To those who are long-standing champions of EuroCHRIE — thank you.
To the curious newcomer or student reading this — you are most welcome here.
To our new and continuing board members — I am honoured to walk this journey with you.

Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep glowing.

With gratitude and excitement,
Yasemin Oruc, MSc. MBA
President of EuroCHRIE