Fairmont Le Château Montebello refuses some events due to lack of staff. Hôtel Lac-Leamy asks employees to occupy two or three positions at a time. No doubt, Outaouais establishments must show ingenuity to deal with the recovery.
Posted at 4:00 p.m.
The demand for business events has increased dramatically, according to Nathalie Beauchamp, director of marketing at the Fairmont. “We have not yet returned to the way we were before the pandemic because of our ability to host events and the shortage of manpower,” she said. Customer demand is greater than before, but we had to limit ourselves. »
In addition to accepting slightly fewer weddings, the establishment has reduced the choices on its menus. “Especially because it is difficult to hire in restaurants. »
In Lac-Leamy, the pandemic and the personnel crisis have prompted the organization to encourage double and triple employment. For example, a person assigned to the restaurant may be asked to provide banquet service, while baggage porters may be called upon to set up rooms. “Last summer, one morning, we had to set up a room for 1,000 people, and I found myself with people from casino games, security and the sales team preparing the room,” explains Marc Labrie. , director, hotels and restaurants.
That said, no one is forced to multiply tasks. “We ask without forcing,” he says. I wanted to send the message that everyone needs to get involved. He then recalls a Sunday during which he brought together colleagues from the administrative sector to support the chambermaids.
After the departure of a client, we entered in pairs, we removed the sheets and towels so that the maid only had to clean and redo the beds. We have developed the agility of our staff. It created a magical buzz in the organization.
Marc Labrie, Director, Hotel and Restaurant, Hotel Lac-Leamy
The hotel faces many challenges related to the workforce and the strong comeback of the business clientele. “People are so excited to be able to meet again,” says Mr. Labrie. A very warm autumn awaits us, and we are signing contracts for 2023 and 2024.”
Unheard of in 35 years
Same story with Hélène Marzoyer, business event planner. “As soon as the door opened in the fall of 2021, it was the full-time machine,” she explains. I work from 5 a.m. to midnight. Everyone pedals to hold an event before the next wave. I have never seen that in 35 years of career. »
Clearly, the recovery shows no signs of faltering. “The coming year will be stupid,” she predicts. Even though I focus on my existing customers, I am not enough to meet the demand. »
Among his clientele, there are Americans who have a very different relationship to the pandemic. “They are in their world,” she says. According to their industry, the majority of people who have experienced the pandemic have not experienced it like here. »
Some of them felt the effects of the crisis between one and three months before resuming as before. “They don’t understand that we were almost closed for two years. They expect everything to be as before, services and suppliers. »
At the Fairmont, we notice different needs. “Clients want team building more than ever,” says Nathalie Beauchamp. As people are still working from home, companies want to organize activities to bring their teams together and create a sense of belonging. »